Durant Torches Stephen A. Smith on Lakers Rumors

By Randy Renner

Thunder superstar Kevin Durant left no doubt about what he thinks of ESPN's Stephen A. Smith's reporting of sources saying Durant has interest in playing for the Los Angeles Lakers next season saying "he's lying" during a post-practice interview session with reporters.

"I don't talk to Stephen A. Smith at all. Nobody in my family, my friends, they don't talk to Stephen A. Smith. So he's lying." 

Earlier this week Smith said on ESPN's First Take, "I'm hearing if Kevin Durant doesn't stay in OKC, LA is his primary objective and landing spot as opposed to South Beach or even his home in Wahington, DC." 

Back in August during an interview session at a USA Basketball mini-camp in Las Vegas, Durant was asked about all the rumors that will be coming out during the season as his free agency gets closer. He said then, "I've got two people that I trust with my life, my agent and my manager who's my best friend as well. I trust them with my life. So if you hear sources or anything, don't believe it if it didn't come from them." 

When asked today about having to answer questions about rumors like the one Smith reported Durant again said, "Like I've said before I have people who I talk to about everything and I know for a fact they didn't talk to (Smith) so he's making up stories." 

(Editor's Note) Durant's full interview session can be heard below. The Stephen A. Smith questions come toward the end of the session.