PHOENIX (AP) 鈥� Kevin Durant is still with the Phoenix Suns and ready to get back on the court after full of speculation that the franchise was open to dealing the 15-time All-Star.
鈥淚t's just part of the business,鈥� Durant told reporters at practice on Monday. 鈥淓verybody's bought and sold in this league. Anybody can be up for auction, so I understand that. It's just about getting back on the court and trying to go out and play the game that I love.
"It's part of the business though 鈥� we've all got to understand that.鈥�
The Suns ended up having a relatively quiet trade deadline, dealing but keeping the rest of their core intact. The team鈥檚 Big 3 of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal is still together as the franchise tries to gain ground in the standings.
Phoenix has a 26-26 record and is tied with the Sacramento Kings for ninth place in the Western Conference.
Durant and Beal were the subject of rampant trade rumors before last week's deadline. Tight-lipped Phoenix general manager James Jones didn鈥檛 offer many clues to how seriously he considered moving either player when asked on Friday.
鈥淚t always gets noisy when you鈥檙e not winning,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淎nd we鈥檙e not winning.鈥�
The 36-year-old Durant has with a sprained ankle but hopes to return for Tuesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Suns are just 2-11 this season when the 6-foot-11 forward is out of the lineup.
Durant is still one of the game's elite scorers, averaging nearly 27 points per game on 52% shooting. The veteran is under contract with the Suns next season and said his goal has always been to play out the remainder of his deal.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not a bad thing that people around the league want me to play for them," Durant said. "It鈥檚 not a bad thing my organization here is fighting off people to keep me on the team or even dangle me in a trade.
"It's part of being in high demand.鈥�
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