KD: Nets' previous season 'built some doubt' about future with club

In his first time addressing the media since rescinding his trade request, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant acknowledged that the team's injuries and revolving door of lineups last season "built some doubt" in his mind, causing him to ponder a future elsewhere.

"I'm getting older, and I want to be in a place that's stable and trying to build a championship culture," Durant told reporters at Nets media day Monday. "I had some doubts about that, and I voiced them to (owner) Joe (Tsai), and we moved forward from there."

Durant reportedly issued an ultimatum to the Nets, demanding a trade or the firing of general manager Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash. However, the two-time NBA Finals MVP ultimately decided to stay put with the club after he and his agent met with Tsai, Marks, and Nash last month.

"I'm committed to moving forward with this team. So, if (fans) got doubts, I can't control that, that's on you," Durant said. "But you see me. You know what I do. You know how much I care about playing, and you know how much I care about my teammates and this organization."

Co-star Kyrie Irving admits that it was "very awkward" to hear about Durant's trade request after the former opted into the final year of his contract. While the situation wasn't ideal, Irving believes all parties benefitted from Durant's trade saga.

"I just ultimately want to see (Durant) do well and be happy," Irving said. "So, if that wasn't within our organization, I was going to have to accept that and move on.

"And I knew that I could move on and get to a place where Kev could be comfortable and everybody could be comfortable - Sean, Joe - just our whole entire family and culture in which we speak on. I think it needed some honest conversations, and that's what we did this summer."