Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets star and future Hall of Famer, finds himself in the spotlight once again, but this time it's not for his on-court prowess. Instead, it's his social media activity stirring the pot. Meanwhile, his former team, the Phoenix Suns, seems ready to move on.
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia recently addressed Durant’s comments from early January, where KD expressed frustration over his departure from Phoenix. After hitting a game-winning three-pointer against the Suns on January 5, Durant remarked that he felt “kicked out” and “scapegoated” for the team’s struggles.
The Suns traded Durant to Houston last offseason in exchange for a package that included Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and the No. 10 overall draft pick, Khaman Maluach. Ishbia, in a conversation with The Athletic, highlighted the Suns' shift in focus from chasing stars to building a culture centered on grit and hustle.
“We turned that page,” Ishbia stated regarding Durant’s exit. “What Kevin thinks about his time here is fine.
We weren’t successful. And guess what?
When things don’t go well, I’m going to make changes to get it to go well - by any means necessary.”
Ishbia emphasized his confidence in the current roster, saying, “We’re focused on our guys now. I love our team. I love Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach, and Rasheer Fleming, who we got in place of Kevin.”
Reflecting on the previous season, the Suns, with stars like Booker, Durant, and Brad Beal under the guidance of championship-winning coach Mike Budenholzer, fell short of expectations. They finished 10 games under .500 and missed the playoffs for the first time in five years. While Durant feels he was unfairly blamed for the team’s shortcomings, the issues in Phoenix were clearly more complex.
Now, with the Suns sitting 10 games above .500 at this year’s All-Star break, they’re only two games behind the Rockets in the Western Conference standings. This turnaround underscores a growing trend in the NBA: teams are realizing that a cohesive, deep roster often outperforms a star-heavy lineup.
Durant's stint in Phoenix didn't pan out as hoped, and while his lingering frustrations are understandable, the Suns are focused on their new identity and future success.