Via Melissa Rohlin
FOX Sports NBA Writer
Hours ago NBA free agency has started, Kevin Durant upset the tournament by reported asking to be traded are from brooklyn networkan unexpected move that made one of the top five NBA players present.
Now, many – if not all – of the other 29 teams in the league are scrambling to find a viable commercial package to potentially land a two-time, 12-time All-Star, two-time champion. Finalist and former MVP of the tournament.
But there is one most logical place for him to land: Phoenix.
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Can you imagine Durant playing with Chris Paul and Devin Booker? Durant’s smoothness, muscularity, and size would perfectly complement Paul’s ball skills and Booker’s shooting ability. Durant played with both, winning gold medals for Team America with Paul in 2012 and Booker in 2020.
Not to mention, Durant has a close relationship with Suns coach Monty Williams, who was an associate head coach of the Suns. Oklahoma City Thunder in the year 2015-16. Durant held back tears when Williams’ wife Ingrid was killed in a car crash in 2016, saying: “I just love Coach Monty so much, man.” For the past six years, they have been supporters of each other.
Durant clearly sees the appeal of joining the Suns, as he has named Phoenix and Miami his favorite destinations, and the best part is that the Suns have enough assets to make a deal.
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The Suns worsen their relationship with the agency agency Deandre Ayton by not offering him a maximum 5 year, $172.5 million extension in October. Now that Ayton is a restricted free agent, they can use him as a central in signing and purchasing for Durant.
They may also include Mikal . Bridge in their bid. Bridges is one of the top 3 and D players in the league and recently signed a 4-year, $91 million contract extension with the Suns. And if that’s still not enough, the Suns have the option to sweeten the deal with someone as talented as Jae Crowder, Landry Shamet, Dario Saric, Cam Payne, Cam Johnson or Torrey Craig.
It makes a lot of sense for both sides. The Suns will immediately become the title contenders after a disappointing performance in the second round of this year’s knockout stages. Nets will get some amazing young talent to surround Ben Simmonsa young star herself.
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As for Durant, he’s received unrelenting scrutiny with every action he takes in the NBA. When he left Oklahoma City for Golden status In 2016, he was accused of being a stock seller. (When he played at OKC for the first time that season, he was heavily booed and didn’t receive a tribute video.) He was mocked for leaving Golden State for the Nets in 2019, in particular. is after the Warriors won the championship this season.
But after showing loyalty to the Nets over the past three seasons, Durant has the right to make this choice. He is the mainstay of the Nets’ steadfastness amid uncertainty, including Kyrie Irving only played in 29 games because he refused to be vaccinated and James Harden force trading with 76ers in February. Meanwhile, Durant has been pouring his mind on the field night after night, averaging 29.9 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.
Despite Herculean efforts, the Nets, who entered the season as championship contenders, shone in the first round of the playoffs. Meaning Durant was disillusioned with the team. And it’s time for him to go.
Now 33, he has a contract until 2025-26 after signing a four-year, $198 million contract extension in 2021. If the Suns buy him, they’ll have a physical superstar. published for the rest of his prime, who could bear a significant load Paul was 37 years old as he entered the twilight phase of his career. Maybe Durant can even help Paul finally win the championship.
This move will not be Durant jumping ship to an established dynasty. He won’t join Irving and Harden to create a hypothetical super team that has never reached its potential. If Durant could find his way to the Sun, the move would be a bit unbelievable, but oh yeah.
The thing about Durant is that he loves basketball more than anything in the world. That makes him a perfect match for the Suns, who are always aiming to build a culture of appreciation for the game. One of Williams’ favorite mottos is “Basketball is a must-have, isn’t it.”
If Durant has made one thing clear, it’s that he shares the same view.
Durant playing the best final years of his career for a small-market team that has never won a championship would have been a beautiful turn. He can avoid the distractions and pitfalls of a bigger city and focus on what means the most to him. He can help teach Paul and Booker what it takes to go all the way. He was finally able to find his home.
After Durant has brought joy to so many people who love the sport, here’s hoping he finds his happy home.
And here’s guess it’s in the desert.
Melissa Rohlin is an NBA writer for FOX Sports. Before that, she covered the league for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, Bay Area News Group and the San Antonio Express-News. Follow her on Twitter at @melissarohlin.
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