{"id":117521,"date":"2025-06-23T01:18:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T01:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/117521\/"},"modified":"2025-06-23T01:18:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T01:18:10","slug":"how-kevin-durants-time-on-the-phoenix-suns-fell-apart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/117521\/","title":{"rendered":"How Kevin Durant\u2019s Time On The Phoenix Suns Fell Apart"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHOENIX \u2013 The Phoenix Suns<\/a> just traded Kevin Durant<\/a> to the Houston Rockets<\/a> for Jalen Green,<\/a> Dillon Brooks<\/a>, the 10th pick in the upcoming draft, and five second-round picks. This move ends what became a colossal disappointment for Phoenix.<\/p>\n

How Kevin Durant\u2019s Time On The Phoenix Suns Fell Apart<\/p>\n

When Matt Ishbia acquired Durant at the 2023 trade deadline, he gave up Mikal Bridges,<\/a> Cameron Johnson<\/a>, and four unprotected first-round picks. He dismantled the core that had led the Suns to the NBA Finals only 20 months earlier.<\/p>\n

This bold move came just days after Ishbia finalized his two-month-long purchase of the team. Critics questioned the deal but justified it. On paper, Durant clearly looked like an upgrade over the Bridges-Johnson combo.<\/p>\n

To their credit, Durant and the front office showed promise early. Chris Paul<\/a> was still on the roster. The Suns beat an injury-riddled Clippers<\/a> team in a gentleman\u2019s sweep. They put up a fight in the next round against the eventual champions, the Denver Nuggets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Beal Gamble Breaks the Roster
\n\"TheMar 2, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) watch as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots a free throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Then, Ishbia doubled down. He traded for Bradley Beal<\/a>, arguably the defining mistake of Durant\u2019s Suns tenure. The team received Beal, Isaiah Todd<\/a>, and Jordan Goodwin<\/a> from Washington. They gave up Paul, Landry Shamet<\/a>, pick swaps, and second-round picks.<\/p>\n

The Suns also fired Monty Williams and hired Frank Vogel, a championship coach just three years removed from glory with the Lakers<\/a>. Less than a month before the season began, Phoenix joined a three-team deal that sent Jrue Holiday<\/a> to the Celtics. Phoenix sent out Deandre Ayton<\/a> and Toumani Camara<\/a> (a second-team All-Defensive selection) for Keon Johnson<\/a>, Nassir Little<\/a>, and Jusuf Nurkic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Aged like milk.<\/p>\n

On-Court Fit Issues Emerge Early<\/p>\n

Beal\u2019s arrival disrupted the Suns\u2019 structure. They lacked a true point guard and pushed Devin Booker<\/a> into that role. The Booker, Beal, and Durant triumvirate all needed the ball and lacked elite playmaking.<\/p>\n

This flaw became obvious throughout the 2023\u201324 season. The Suns had a 20\u201321 record in clutch games with a -5.5<\/a> net rating.<\/p>\n

Despite finishing sixth in the West, the Suns\u2019 weaknesses were clear. Minnesota<\/a> exposed them and swept them in the first round.<\/p>\n

Vogel took the fall as scapegoat. But the deeper problem was roster imbalance. Ishbia was showing classic signs of \u201cnew owner syndrome.\u201d<\/p>\n

No Cap Space, Few Solutions<\/p>\n

Everyone around the franchise agreed that they needed a starting point guard. But with the Suns paying the league\u2019s third-highest payroll, the path wasn\u2019t clear.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, Tyus Jones<\/a> signed for the veteran minimum \u2014 a rare stroke of luck during a tough offseason. The team was constrained by the salary implications of the Ishbia moves. The Suns got Jones for the minimum because teams were cautious of the \u201capron world\u2019 post-the-2023-CBA.<\/p>\n

The Suns hired Mike Budenholzer to replace Vogel and made more shrewd minimum-deal signings.<\/p>\n

None of it mattered.<\/p>\n

The Final Days of Durant in Phoenix<\/p>\n

By February, the team started benching Nurkic. Around the same time, Beal moved to the bench, to force his exit. His no-trade clause blocked earlier deals.<\/p>\n

When the front office tried shopping Durant at the deadline, they failed to tell him. Durant found out. After that, his departure felt like a matter of when not if.<\/p>\n

The team finished 36\u201346 and missed the Play-In. It was a massive failure for the most expensive roster in NBA history. Budenholzer was fired soon after. If you\u2019re keeping track, that\u2019s three coaches in Durant\u2019s two-and-a-half years on the Suns.<\/p>\n

The Rockets Deal Seals It<\/p>\n

After months of shopping Durant, the Suns finally accepted a deal from one of his preferred destinations. The return didn\u2019t match what they gave up.<\/p>\n

Ironically, that underwhelming return mirrored Durant\u2019s entire Suns tenure. His time in Brooklyn left people wondering \u201cwhat if.\u201d His time in Phoenix left no questions.<\/p>\n

The team got worse. The chemistry never clicked. Contention never felt real. Demarcus Cousins<\/a> recently revealed that there were fistfights in the Suns locker room. Durant vehemently denied the rumors.<\/p>\n

I have to contest this 94 footer. This some bullshit to throw on us. Yea yea yea we were trash this year ha ha ha but we NEVER got close to this. NEVER https:\/\/t.co\/JfjA7wmLa7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) June 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Durant\u2019s Legacy in Phoenix<\/p>\n

Durant has now played for four teams. Since leaving OKC, he\u2019s paired on-court excellence with off-court instability.<\/p>\n

Maybe he finds peace in Houston.<\/p>\n

He averaged 26.8 points per game in Phoenix \u2014 the highest in team history. His scoring remained elite. But many around the league questioned his leadership.<\/p>\n

As things fell apart, Durant never took control.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a true all-time great \u2014 just not with the Suns.<\/p>\n

Credit: \u00a9 Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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