Was it the right move, even knowing how it turned out?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Phoenix Suns fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
At this point, it feels like a matter of days, not weeks, when we all get the X notification from Shams Charania that Kevin Durant gets traded from the Phoenix Suns. While there’s a bounty of analysis on the web, including on this site, of trade packages and where he could be playing next, it’s also a time to reflect on his tenure.
While the team didn’t have anywhere close to the success initially predicted when he was dealt to the Phoenix Suns during the 2023 trade deadline, the move was the pinnacle of the good culture and winning environment the team had created ever since their 8-0 performance in the bubble. Not only did a player of Durant’s caliber get traded to Phoenix, but he also wanted to be there and play with Devin Booker.
But while hopes were high and Phoenix at one point even had the best odds to win the Western Conference, they won just one playoff series with Durant (assuming of course, he’s traded and his Phoenix tenure is over), are in an unenviable financial and draft pick position for the near and distant future, and are about to employ their fourth head coach in as many seasons.
Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images
While the Durant era in Phoenix has been a disappointment, not many teams get to roster one of the all-time greats still playing at a high level. It’s why the Brooklyn Nets did whatever they could to maximize their time with Durant, so they paired him with Kyrie Irving and James Harden. It’s the same reason the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook despite the obvious basketball fits that could’ve arisen next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
As has been seen time and time again, championship windows close much earlier than anticipated. With Jayson Tatum likely out for the entirety of next year with a torn achilles and the team potentially getting rid of key contributors to shed salary with dreaded financial punishments looming, it’s fair to question if the Boston Celtics will continue to be the dominant force in the Eastern Conference they’ve been for the past half decade.
The trade for Durant came a mere months before the new CBA, which punishes teams for carrying such heavy financials like the Suns have done. Because the team was already projected to be in the second apron once the new CBA rules kicked in, trading for Bradley Beal aligned with the financial situation the team would have been in if they kept Chris Paul on the team and didn’t make the trade for the Wizards star.
Hindsight will always be 20/20, but were the Suns right to take the risk of mortgaging their future to trade for Kevin Durant?
Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.
Please subscribe, rate, and review.