Kevin Durant Upset With NBA's Official Ball Change From Spalding To Wilson

Kevin Durant expressed his disappointment with the NBA’s decision to change its official game ball from Spalding to Wilson starting in the 2021-2022 season. As Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports posted the recent development on his Instagram page on Wednesday, the Brooklyn Nets star forward failed to contain his disgust as he wrote, “Oh hell nah!”

“The NBA’s contract with Spalding is expiring and now Wilson will be the new partner to produce the league’s official game ball starting with the 2021-22 season, which happens to be the league’s 75th anniversary,” Haynes wrote.

“Wilson will also serve as the official game ball of the WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League (BAL). The NBA and Spalding mutually agreed to part ways, sources say,” he added.

Evidently, Durant is not ready to welcome the transition. Perhaps his reaction was ignited by a certain type of attachment since Spalding had been the league's basketball provider for nearly 40 years.

On the heels of the report, the Kentucky-based sporting goods company penned an emotional statement as it bids goodbye to the NBA.

“Today it was announced that Spalding’s partnership with the National Basketball Association will conclude following the 2020-21 NBA season,” the letter wrote.

“Spalding developed the first basketball in 1894, nearly a century before tipping off a historic partnership with the NBA. We are proud of our nearly four-decade relationship.

“Moving forward, Spalding will remain as deeply embedded in the game of basketball as we were the day we helped start it. As the global leader in basketball equipment, our passion for the sport will continue to drive our innovative products and everlasting bond with players and fans around the world.”

Durant could be cold with the change for now, but maybe not for long.

According to the report, “The same leather and product specifications will be used to produce the new ball with the assistance from the NBA and NBPA, which will create a player advisory board to offer suggestions.”

The 31-year-old former MVP signed with the Nets last summer but has not played a single game for the team yet as he is still recovering from an injury he suffered during the 2019 NBA Finals while playing for the Golden State Warriors.

Making the most of the time while the NBA remains on hiatus, the two-time champion continues to make progress as he draws closer to making his return to the hardcourt.