KEVIN DURANT faced questions for the first time Tuesday since a report that he’s been recruiting Houston Rockets star James Harden to join the Brooklyn Nets.

He denied the report and chastised media for reporting the news to begin with.

Durant, preparing to make his Nets debut after sitting last season with an Achilles injury, addressed the topic in a video conference with reporters Tuesday. “I don’t know where you’re making these stories up that me and James talked about any of this at a workout,” Durant said, per The Houston Chronicle’s Matt Young. “I don’t know where that came from. James is a friend of mine, but I let the front office handle all of that stuff.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne and Zach Lowe reported in November that Harden told Houston Rockets management that he wants to be traded to the Nets and that the idea spawned from summer workouts in Los Angeles between Harden and Durant.

Durant didn’t name Wojnarowski or any other reporter by name during his media session. But he made clear that he was accusing the veteran NBA reporters of making up news.

“I heard all the noise, and I heard that James potentially wanted to come to the Nets,” Durant continued. “Anybody can make up stories.”

Harden has two years remaining on a four-year, US$171 million contract that carries a player option for the 2022-23 season. He reportedly turned down an extension worth US$103 million over two seasons. Harden may want to join his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate in Brooklyn, but it’s up to Houston if he stays or goes.

Meanwhile, Durant apparently doesn’t want his name attached to the drama in Houston, especially with the risk of being accused of tampering. Per the NBA’s tampering rules, players are explicitly prohibited from recruiting players under contract with other teams and risk suspension and fines at commissioner Adam Silver’s discretion.

Durant has repeatedly attacked media during his NBA career and told reporters Tuesday he “enjoyed having some me time away from all of y’all” while rehabbing last season.

In 2019, he did call a reporter out by name, accusing The Athletic’s Ethan Strauss of making up news about his impending free agency from the Golden State Warriors.

(SD-Agencies)