The Phoenix Suns narrowly escaped with a 120-113 home victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, but it would be asinine to suggest the franchise is moving in the right direction.
In a future-driven move, the Suns could send a slender assassin to the Houston Rockets and begin their rebuild.
“Keeping KD (Kevin Durant) is a risk in multiple ways,” The Ringer’s Michael Pina wrote Monday. “What happens if he decides that he doesn’t want to finish his career on a team that can’t compete at the highest level?
“He left the Golden State Warriors as a free agent and demanded a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. It would not shock the world if KD wanted another change of scenery.”
“He’ll make $54.7 million next season and can become an unrestricted free agent the following year. Put him on the market now, and see what you can get back.”
“Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has said he isn’t interested in taking any big swings before the season ends, but when push comes to shove, it would make sense to add Durant for a package that wouldn’t shorten their encouraging runway to championship contention.”
“No, he isn’t on the same timeline as Houston’s ascending core—and it’s too soon for the Suns to part with Booker, who is 28, is extremely good, and still has three years left on his contract.”
“But KD is the rare offensive talent who’d make the Rockets (currently second in the West) a legitimate threat to win it all without mangling the long-term development of anyone else on that roster.”
When Durant joined the Suns in 2022, the 14-time All-Star was expected to be a part of multiple deep postseason runs in Phoenix.
So far, Durant has done his part to help elevate the Suns, but Phoenix is nowhere near legitimate contention in the Western Conference.
Durant averages 27.1 points on 51.9% field goal shooting and 38.9% three-point shooting this season on a mediocre 19-19 Suns squad.
While Durant, arguably the most aesthetically pleasing isolation operator the NBA has ever seen, hasn’t requested a trade from the Suns, it’s reasonable to assume he would open to a fresh start elsewhere.
The Rockets are one of the youngest teams in the leagues, but they have the talent to make a statement in the postseason.
With an accomplished veteran like Durant joining the fold, Houston would possess the star power needed to take the franchise to the next level.
However, the Suns aren’t racing to trade Durant, and the Rockets are content with developing the promising assets on their roster, making it unrealistic for the Texas product to suit up for Houston this season.
More NBA: Warriors may part with underestimated $24.9 million wing via trade