Connecticut Sun guard Natasha Cloud recalled a moment when Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant was pranked by her ex-Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner.
In her appearance on Tuesday’s episode of “The OGs podcast,” Cloud recounted Griner’s personal growth since being imprisoned in Russia. Podcast host and ex-Miami Heat big man Udonis Haslem said he’s heard from fellow NBA players how “cool” Griner is because of her “good sense of humor.”
Cloud agreed with Haslem’s comment as she retold the story of when Griner playfully kissed Durant.
“(She’s) just cool. … She’s funny as hell,” Cloud said. “You remember when she kissed KD on the side? I think he forgot for a minute (what was happening) … She’s cool as hell, like, who does that?”
That kissing incident happened during the Tokyo Olympics, which was delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin Durant was on Instagram Live giving his followers a tour of the Olympic village when Griner, wearing a face mask, unexpectedly gave him a peck on the cheek.
“You’re lucky I love you, girl,” Durant said, flustered.
Tb to when Brittney Griner Pranks Kevin Durant by Kissing him😚 pic.twitter.com/LAsQ2rFWFf
— Raphousetv (RHTV) (@raphousetv2) December 11, 2022
That interaction sparked dating rumors between the two, but Griner has been married to her wife Cherelle since 2019.
Brittney Griner gained global attention three years ago after she was detained in Russia to serve a nine-year prison sentence for bringing cannabis vape cartridges into the country. She was incarcerated from Feb. 17 to Dec. 8, 2022, until a high-profile prisoner swap set her free in exchange for the release of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Phoenix Suns’ asking price for Kevin Durant revealed
The Phoenix Suns reportedly set a hefty asking price for any team potentially interested in Kevin Durant.
In a piece published by the Arizona Republic on Monday, NBA insider Duane Rankin wrote, “Sources informed The Republic the most ideal return on a Durant trade is regaining three first-round picks and a young player as part of a multi-team deal tied to getting under the second apron.”
The Phoenix Suns would likely seek three first-round picks and a young player in any trade involving Kevin Durant this offseason, per @DuaneRankin
“Sources informed The Republic the most ideal return on a Durant trade is regaining three first-round picks and a young player as… pic.twitter.com/D22rxMygwr
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 10, 2025
Rankin added, “The Suns ideally could take back $35 million in salary in any combination of players to save essentially $20 million and get under the second apron.”
According to the insider, the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs are possible trade destinations for Durant that “make sense,” given their first round picks that could push the Suns into considering a deal with them.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through [email protected]. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
