The Valley of the Sun didn't prove the most friendly confines for Kevin Durant. The former Suns standout impressed across three seasons with the Suns, his scoring chops and isolation gravity pairing well with fellow standout Devin Booker.
And yet, those efforts resulted in precious few wins for Durant, Booker and Phoenix. After falling well short of the postseason, the Suns parted ways with Durant, sending him to the Rockets in exchange for a pool of players and draft capital, including Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.
The Suns already found themselves in limbo when Durant was in town. His exit could very well exacerbate that belief. Here's what you need to know about Phoenix's future post-Durant.
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What Kevin Durant trade means for Suns
Durant's departure should precipitate a sea change in Phoenix's fortunes. The Suns were hamstrung by their own misadventure, struggling to craft a winning side despite Durant and Booker's brilliance.
Phoenix's decision to acquire Bradley Beal might have had something to do with that. Beal's contract—a super-max marked by its no-trade clause—scuppered any real chance of Phoenix improving its roster.
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Green's acquisition further muddies the waters. At his best, he's a prolific scorer whose athletic gifts and shot creation can light up a defense. But the 23-year old has struggled with consistency thus far. He toiled in the postseason, falling short of 13 points in six of his seven matches.
It's unclear how Green and Booker will look alongside one another. Nominally speaking, the two appear to operate in fairly similar places. Booker is one of the game's greatest guards, a two-way talent whose penchant for mid-range baskets has drawn rave reviews. He's averaged seven assists per night across the past two seasons, further suggesting he's capable of being Phoenix's primary play initiator. Green, for all of his trappings, can't stake the same claim.
Will Bradley Beal get traded?
Beal looks like the odd man out in the backcourt. The 31-year-old is still fairly productive, averaging 17 points on strong efficiency. That contract is an albatross, though, one unlikely to be resolved in the trade market. A buyout seems the likeliest option for a Suns side hoping to move on.
Phoenix has reportedly already held talks regarding Beal's availability. His name floated in trade rumors around the trade deadline. According to The Athletic's Doug Haller, Sam Amick and Kelly Iko, those conversations have continued into the offseason. Beal's remaining contract value ($110 million) and no-trade clause appear to be the biggest impediments to reaching a deal. If the Suns do find a willing trade partner, it's likely they'll fall well short of what they parted ways with to secure his services.
All told, Phoenix didn't land all that much in exchange for Durant, especially when compared to what it gave up to initially secure Durant's services in 2023. The No. 10 pick should be useful. So too should Brooks, a dogged defender capable of pestering the league's biggest names.
Nevertheless, with little cap space available due to Beal's contract and a paucity of first-round selections—and viable youngsters—things could get worse before they get better.
What's next for the Suns? In all likelihood, mediocrity, at least in the near future. Booker has been an ever-present in the Suns' setup since he first matriculated to the pros. But the soon-to-be 11-year NBA veteran won't be exempt from trade speculation, particularly if losses continue piling up.
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