Emerging reports convey that the Phoenix Suns are entertaining the idea of parting ways with Kevin Durant. Isn’t that understandable?
According to whispers around the league, the Suns are looking to offload Durant, with the Houston Rockets appearing as a potential suitor. At 35, Durant has experienced a not-so-pleasing first-round sweep with the Suns this postseason. Hence, the motivation to find fresher legs isn’t shocking.
“Ignore the Suns’ public statements; their real intention is to disassociate from Kevin Durant as soon as possible,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith declared on broadcast, citing what he purported was an insider’s message.
Insight from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also suggests that the Rockets might not just be bystanders. They seem to be considering their options carefully.
“Retaining the third pick and opting for UConn’s towering center Donovan Clingan signals the Rockets’ openness to discussions about Alperen Sengun, their rising star in the paint,” Windhorst explained, referencing information from NBA Central. “Post-Sengun’s injury, the Rockets displayed remarkable performance; they even positioned Jabari Smith, their previous year’s top draft choice, in the center spot. Clingan’s choice could hint to the basketball community that the Rockets might be ready to negotiate a deal involving Sengun.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski initially mentioned the budding connection between Durant and the Rockets.
During the 2023-24 season, Durant posted averages of 27.1 points, 6.6 boards, and 5.0 assists, coupled with 52.3% shooting from the field, 41.3% from the three-point line, and an 85.6% free-throw accuracy. The decorated champion is due to earn $49.9 million in the next campaign.
NBA correspondents Shams Charania and Doug Haller from The Athletic report that Durant was disenchanted with his utilization in the Suns’ game plan.
“Durant struggled to adapt to the Suns’ offensive scheme, despite being one of the game’s elite scorers,” noted Charania and Haller. “Insiders informed The Athletic that Durant’s integration into a strategy that primarily focused on pick-and-roll and placed him in the corners didn’t align with his proven talents.”
Moreover, there was a sentiment among some peers and those close to the Suns’ framework that Durant should have more openly communicated his disapproval with the play designs to Frank Vogel and his coaching team.
Since his departure from the Golden State Warriors, Durant’s playoff success has been limited, having only advanced beyond the first round twice and facing early exits via sweeps on two occasions.
In a noteworthy coaching shift, the Suns brought in Mike Budenholzer, who formerly led the Milwaukee Bucks to a victory over them in the 2021 NBA Finals.
