NBA Legends Voice Concerns About Modern Players’ Attitudes

Basketball legends Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce recently shared their bewilderment regarding De’Aaron Fox’s trade to the San Antonio Spurs. The move, which occurred just before the February 6th trade deadline, has left the former NBA stars questioning the modern player’s approach to team loyalty and intra-conference trades.

On a recent episode of their podcast, “Ticket & The Truth,” Garnett expressed his surprise at the frequency with which players now seem to dictate their destinations. He highlighted Fox’s reported desire to play for the Spurs, particularly given that it meant remaining within the same conference. Garnett contrasted this with earlier eras, stating, “10-15 years ago, you would never have traded somebody in the same conference… You send Steph to New Jersey, you don’t send him to Phoenix where you gonna see his ass 4 times.”

Pierce and Garnett also raised questions about Fox’s decision to leave Sacramento, especially considering the team’s improved performance after a rocky start to the season. Garnett pointed out the earlier firing of Coach Mike Brown, while Pierce added, “Then you went on the winning streak, you won like 7 out of 8 games or 9 out of 10. Man, I’m off this st.” Garnett predicted that the next collective bargaining agreement negotiations would be contentious, adding, “These kids give no fk. 500-600 million, ain’t nobody even questioning that.” Their comments suggest a broader concern among basketball legends about the priorities and motivations of today’s NBA players.

This trade marks the first time De’Aaron Fox has changed teams in his professional career. Drafted by Sacramento in 2017 as the 5th overall pick, he earned an NBA All-Star selection in 2023. Despite the questions surrounding his departure from Sacramento, Fox made a successful debut with the Spurs, securing a win against Atlanta with 24 points and 13 assists. While his individual performance remains strong, the basketball legends’ commentary highlights a shift in player behavior that has sparked debate within the NBA community.

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