The Phoenix Suns sent Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four picks in the first round to the Nets in 2023 for Kevin Durant and TJ Warren. A little over two years later, they durant to the rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the no. 10 pick in the design of 2025 as part of a multi-team deal.
Mat Ishbia has hypothesed the future of the Suns for Durant, hoping that his aggressiveness would fruit with a championship. Ironically it had the opposite effect. Durant counter -error, Phoenix did not succeed in reaching the second round. His time with the Suns ended in the regular season, because they did not secure a play -off berth last season.
Phoenix could have got more for Durant if it had waited, but the Suns wanted a choice in the design that turned out to be Kaman Maluach. He is not ready to be an NBA starter. Maluach is still 19, so he can develop into one, but Phoenix’s urge for a choice in the KD deal was less logical after the choice was made. Maluach is a project and the Suns now want to (try) to win.
The return they have received for Durant will determine the market for other aging stars. Durant is still a high -level scorer, but he is no longer the player he used to be. The next time an older star player comes on the market, this summer’s KD trade will be a reference point.
Suns could have gained more in the trade in Kevin Durant
Phoenix did not get a young star on the market. You can claim that Jalen Green, who is 23, can evolve to a star, but there are mistakes in his game that fans will immediately notice. He is not intended as a main player and the suns don’t have a real Point Guard. He will share that duty with Devin Booker.
Brooks is the kind of defensive plague that you like in your team, but he is just a roller. He is also not a scorer.
The Suns wanted to press the reset button by trading durant, but they got worse. Durant has not publicly asked for an exchange, but you can read between the lines. The hope was that he would spend the rest of his career in the desert, but Phoenix seriously managed it. He would not have been willing to leave if the suns were winning.
Phoenix will pay the trade, just like other teams that are in a similar position like the sunbathing.
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