Kevin Durant is jealous of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan's friendship, according to Toronto Raptors assistant coach Rex Kalamian. Kalamian, who was an Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach under Scott Brooks from 2009 to 2015, told Chris O'Leary of the Toronto Star that Durant texted him in August to rave about Lowry and DeRozan, having been around them with Team USA:

"Your two guys are the best. I'm jealous of their relationship, the way they get along with each other and the way they play together. The way they enjoy each other, it's great," Kalamian said of that text on Monday, as the Raptors finished up their practice. Durant, all the way from the Olympics in Rio, was in awe of the friendship that Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan had on display with the U.S. men's basketball team.

"I think it's kind of what he wants," Kalamian continued. "He wants that bond with someone . . . and I think he's going to find that.

"Early on in OKC, we had that."

...

"We had that (bond) really with James Harden. He was a connector of everyone. He brought Westbrook, Durant and (Serge) Ibaka and they all kind of connected, they all came together," Kalamian said.

"James is a big reason and when he left I think Kevin said . . . that trade was the beginning of the end for him and now there wasn't that connection as much.

"Kevin and Russell, they respect the heck out of each other, no question about it. They played well together, they work well together, they communicate, but I think the connection was lost a little bit for whatever reason."

Kevin Durant and Kyle Lowry at the Olympics
Kevin Durant and Kyle Lowry have a laugh in Rio. USATSI

There's a lot to get into here. Some thoughts:

  • First and foremost, this is a massive compliment for Lowry and DeRozan, who earned similar praise from Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James at the conclusion of last year's Eastern Conference finals. For a fan base that has long felt ignored and overlooked, this sort of acknowledgement should be meaningful. Players around the league have noticed what the Raptors have built with their two All-Stars leading the way.
  • Let's note that Durant still hasn't said anything publicly about a lack of a bond in Oklahoma City, other than describing himself and Russell Westbrook as work friends in an interview with Rolling Stone. The quotes in this story were Kalamian's, not Durant's.
  • It would be unfair if this was turned into "Durant bashes the Thunder" or even "former assistant bashes the Thunder." Still, it really sounds like Oklahoma City's chemistry could have been better over the past few years, both on and off the court. Ever since Durant joined the Golden State Warriors, he's talked about the way that they play unselfishly and the way they get along and like being around each other. He saw it in their pitch meeting, and he has brought it up during the preseason. This matters to him.
  • Notice James Harden being mentioned as a "connector?" After the Houston Rockets ' disappointing 2015-16 season, Harden doesn't have the reputation of a great teammate these days. Maybe he can be part of the solution to their chemistry problems this year.
  • Hey, remember when the Raptors were supposed to be in the mix for Durant? That was a thing, at least according to former Toronto guard Greivis Vasquez.