“Go back home”: Carmelo Anthony sparks speculation with call for Kevin Durant to sign with Washington Wizards

Carmelo Anthony has made a bold pitch for Kevin Durant to return to his roots and finish his career with the Washington Wizards. During a recent episode of his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, the former NBA star openly advocated for Durant to leave the Phoenix Suns and bring his talent back home to D.C. It has stirred the pot of discussion among fans.

Kevin Durant, who was born in Washington D.C., and raised in Maryland, has long been linked to a return home at some point in his career. While the Wizards are currently struggling with a league-worst 10-48 record, Carmelo Anthony believes that the personal satisfaction of playing in front of family in D.C. would be worth more than chasing another title.

"KD to the Wizards," Anthony declared. "I would like to see him in the Wizards. That's just me personally with my s---. Go back home. End it back home. You ain't gone go chase. You ain't going to go with these other teams that's out there. You've already got your rings. Go to the Wizards. Bring the energy back to D.C. You're home."
Melo further shared his thoughts on the potential of the Wizards' roster, mentioning key stars like Marcus Smart, Khris Middleton, Alex Sarr, and Bub Carrington. He further argues that Durant could be the catalyst for a new era in Washington basketball.
While the idea of Durant joining the Wizards might seem far-fetched given their current state, the situation in Phoenix is far from stable. The Suns, who were expected to be championship contenders this season, have been underwhelming. They entered Thursday’s slate of games with a 27-31 record, teetering on the edge of the Play-In Tournament.
NBA insider Brian Windhorst recently dropped a bombshell regarding Durant’s tenure with the Suns, stating, “They’re going to trade him, and he knows that.” According to reports, Phoenix actively explored trade opportunities before the deadline, reaching out to teams like the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Memphis Grizzlies. However, Durant’s enormous contract and the difficulty of integrating a superstar midseason made a trade not quite feasible.
Durant himself acknowledged the challenge of being traded midseason during an appearance on The Draymond Green Show. “A player like me, I cost a lot. Me going into your team in the middle of the season is going to be a big blow to any team I’m going to.” This suggests that if a move is coming, it’s more likely to happen in the offseason when teams have more flexibility to construct a blockbuster deal.
Also Read: Why Kevin Durant Said NO: The Real Reason He Killed Potential Golden State Warriors Trade
The Suns' front office is reportedly considering its long-term strategy, and trading Durant may be the only way to pivot from a failing experiment. “The only way to begin a pivot out of this team that has failed is to trade Kevin Durant,” Windhorst added.