Kevin Durant: Will you miss him?

On a scale of 1-10, how much do you think you will miss Durant midway through next season?

When Kevin Durant returns to Phoenix wearing a Rockets’ jersey, there’s no doubt the reception will be warm. Phoenix Suns fans are smart. They know greatness when they see it. Durant’s time in Phoenix wasn’t long, but it had moments that will be remembered. So when he walks into the PHX Arena again, expect a standing ovation, some cheers, and a highlight video that captures the highs of his short stay.

There will be clips of that crazy run in the 2023 playoffs, even though the team fell short, where KD and Book combined for huge scoring nights, including that wild Game 3 vs. the Nuggets.

The video might also highlight Durant’s media moments and screen grabs of his tweets going back and forth with fans and media members.

I am kidding.

But when it’s all said and done, will we miss him?

I’m sure not if Durant will miss us. “I mean, they wanted me to go. I’m glad they got what they wanted, and I got what I wanted, so good luck to them.”

This is where Durant could be mistaken. If you scroll Twitter, yeah, reviews were mixed on Durant. But Twitter isn’t a true representation of a fan base.

His history with the Suns will likely be more remembered on the side of Mat Ishbia dismembering the Suns and the downfall falling on his shoulders, not Durant’s.

Missing KD? Well, it depends on how the future plays out. If the Suns rebound, grow a solid young core, and become a competitive team again, fans might feel at peace. Maybe even relieved. Durant was part of a big gamble; trading away depth and future picks for a win-now window that just didn’t open wide enough.

On the other hand, if Durant leaves and goes on to win another title elsewhere, there may be that little sting. The classic “what if.” What if he had stayed healthy? What if we built a better roster around him? What if it worked?

Right now, the Suns fanbase is in a weird place. After a few wild seasons, people are just happy the team is still relevant, even if it means aiming for the play-in next year instead of a title. Expectations have shifted. The excitement Durant brought was real, but it didn’t last. And with the current direction of the team, it feels like change is already here.

So, where will I be on a scale from 1 to 10 emotionally when Durant is gone and playing elsewhere?

On that scale — with 10 being “I miss him like crazy” and 1 being “Eh, KD who?” — I’ll be

For me, maybe a 4?

It won’t hurt as much as it might have a year ago. It’ll feel a little sad — watching him hit a deep three in another uniform — but it will also feel like a chapter that needed to close. Suns fans gave KD love. He gave us his best. It just didn’t click the way we all hoped.

We’ll watch him from afar, still appreciating the greatness. But we’ll also be focused on what’s next.

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