Kevin Durant is frustrated. NBA fans have heard this before. He’s currently dissatisfied with the Phoenix Suns. Before that, he was frustrated with the Brooklyn Nets.
We shouldn’t be too harsh on Durant. For what it’s worth, he’s one of the best players of his generation. Perhaps Durant has earned the right to maintain a high standard. That’s why, if the Suns make him available, he’ll have his share of suitors.
Kevin Durant | Biography, Stats, Olympics, & Facts | Britannica
Will they make him available? That feels unlikely. The Suns will more likely try to stay the course and make this work. Yet, reports of Durant’s frustration make a trade feel more viable than it has since Durant joined Phoenix.
Suns fans must be frustrated as well. This team is falling well short of expectations in 2023-24. The Suns have been underwhelming. Where did they go wrong?
It’s debatable. Bradley Beal was never an obvious fit alongside Durant and Devin Booker. This roster is heavy on scoring – and light on virtually everything else. Jusuf Nurkic was never a surefire upgrade over Deandre Ayton, either. The Suns may have erred in their efforts to build around Durant.
Alternatively, this team may simply need time. The Suns could keep this core together and rattle off a 15-game winning streak at any moment.
Indulge us. We know this isn’t likely to happen. Yet, we can’t rule it out. It didn’t feel likely that the Nets would be forced to move Durant, either. Meanwhile, there are already whispers about Durant’s discontentedness in the valley.
Meanwhile, Durant is no spring chicken. He’s nearing the end of his career. If Durant is unhappy, a trade request may be on the horizon.
In that event, the Suns would do well to move him before he ages out of his trade value. That’s what they’re doing here. Taking on young players like Williams and Clarke is sensible.
Smart is an impactful veteran who can help ease this team into their next era – with Devin Booker on the roster; they won’t want to be down for long. Throw in three unprotected firsts, and this deal could help the Suns retool instead of rebuilding.
It’s been a difficult year for Memphis. With that said, there are reasons for their struggles. Ja Morant only recently returned from a suspension, and Steven Adams has been out all year.
Outside of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane are still on this roster. The Grizzlies have an impressive core. If they added Durant to that group, who knows? They could win an NBA title.
Isn’t that the goal? Sure, sinking assets into Durant is a risk – yet, it’s a risk that teams are always willing to take. After all, adding Durant to a good team gives you a chance at a title. The Grizzlies may just be lucky that Durant is frustrated.
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