Kevin Durant may be wearing a different jersey these days, but that didn’t stop him from tipping his cap to the Phoenix Suns during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. The 37-year-old forward, now with the Houston Rockets, had high praise for his former squad, acknowledging just how far they’ve come this season - and how dangerous they could be when the postseason rolls around.
“Teams that you didn’t think would be in the running, like Phoenix - who nobody thought would be this good - go out there looking like a contending team,” Durant said, speaking to reporters after the All-Star festivities.
That’s not nothing coming from a player who’s seen just about everything this league has to offer. Durant didn’t leave Phoenix under a cloud of controversy, but he also didn’t leave with any playoff wins during his two full seasons in The Valley.
So for him to publicly recognize the Suns’ rise this year? That’s a nod worth noticing.
At 32-23, the Suns aren’t exactly sitting at the top of the West, but they’ve shown enough grit and cohesion to make some noise. And Durant, who’s been around long enough to know what a dangerous playoff team looks like, sees it too. They may not be title favorites, but they’re no easy out either - especially with Devin Booker leading the charge.
Booker’s been the heartbeat of this team, and if he can guide this roster to a deep playoff run, it might go down as his most impressive feat yet in a Suns uniform. This version of the Suns plays with a chip on its shoulder - a group that doesn’t just want to make the playoffs, but wants to matter once they get there.
And if the bracket shakes out a certain way, there’s a real possibility we could see Durant and the Rockets squaring off against Phoenix in the first round. That matchup would carry plenty of intrigue - not just because of Durant’s history in Phoenix, but because of what’s at stake for both teams.
For Durant, it would be a chance to exorcise some postseason demons. For the Suns, it would be a shot at proving they’re more than just a regular-season surprise.
What makes Durant’s comments even more interesting is the contrast between his thoughtful, respectful tone in person and the often chaotic energy he brings to social media. He’s one of the most talented scorers the game has ever seen, a guy who lives and breathes basketball. But he’s also someone who’s known to mix it up online - sometimes with fans, sometimes with critics, and occasionally with burner accounts (allegedly).
Still, when the cameras are rolling and the questions are real, Durant often shows a more composed, introspective side. His praise for the Suns wasn’t just lip service - it was a genuine acknowledgment of a team that’s grown in his absence.
It’s clear the split between Durant and the Suns wasn’t bitter. No finger-pointing, no drama.
Just two sides moving on and trying to find success on their own terms. And in today’s NBA, where exits are often messy and grudges linger, that kind of mutual respect is worth highlighting.
So while the Suns continue to build something promising in Phoenix, and Durant looks to make his mark with a young, hungry Rockets squad, there’s a sense that both parties are exactly where they need to be. And if their paths cross again this spring? Well, that’s a storyline we’d all love to see unfold.