The legacy that Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant will leave behind once his NBA career is over will be a confusing one. Many people will debate his standings among the all-time greats, as he is one of the most gifted scorers to ever step foot on a basketball court. However, some of the decisions that he has made throughout his career taint some of his accomplishments in the eyes of some.
For the first eight seasons of his career, Durant was the face of the Seattle SuperSonics and Oklahoma City Thunder. A small market team had one of the biggest stars in the NBA and was turning into a perennial contender in the Western Conference with Russell Westbrook as his running mate.
But, things changed forever in 2016. After Durant and the Thunder were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in seven games in the Western Conference Finals, everyone watched what could have been the greatest season in NBA history come crumbling down at the hands of LeBron James.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kevin Durant & Phoenix Suns Updates
James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to an improbable comeback, defeating the Warriors in seven games. It was after that series that Golden State’s grand plan went into motion, as they had the cap space to acquire Durant in free agency.
It was a move many people, including former NBA stars, bemoaned as it was ruining the competitive balance of the league. The Warriors would go on to win the Larry O’Brien trophy in two out of three seasons with Durant on the team; the only time they lost was in 2019 when he and Klay Thompson both suffered serious injuries.
Forced to sit out the entire 2019-20 campaign, Durant opted to make another move. He left Golden State, looking to accomplish something on his own, pairing up with Kyrie Irving on the Brooklyn Nets.
That pairing, which soon became a trio with James Harden being added, was disastrous. The three weren’t able to stay on the court together, whether it be injuries or self-inflicted issues, which were all done by Irving.
Not even four years after choosing to play for the Nets, Durant wanted out. He was eventually traded to the Suns, looking to create another star pairing with Devin Booker that became a trio with Bradley Beal involved.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kevin Durant & Phoenix Suns Updates
Durant signed an extension during his time with the Nets that has two more seasons on it. Will he remain with the Suns for the duration of it? One Eastern Conference executive isn’t too sure, as he called out Durant over always seeking a change.
“[Durant] for sure looks around,” said the second Eastern Conference exec. “Durant always has a wandering eye.” And if Durant left, the GM said, Booker would have to consider his options, too.
That will certainly be something to keep an eye on. The Suns are all-in on this trio and if success in the playoffs does not occur, something will need to change. Players could look to get traded elsewhere, hoping that the grass is greener on the other side.
Durant could be the player to leave, as the Eastern Conference executive is hinting at him already planning an exit should things not go according to plan. It would be interesting to see what level of interest, if any, Durant would have as he will be 36 when the 2024-25 NBA season tips off.
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