Per AZCentral writer Duane Rankin, Suns coach Mike Budenholzer announced on Friday that star forward Kevin Durant will not return this season.
It comes as no surprise after Durant missed the previous five contests. Phoenix dropped all five games and have lost eight in a row overall, ending their slim playoff hopes. Durant, 36, finishes with 62 games played, which will surely frustrate the future Hall of Famer as three more games played would have made him eligible for an All-NBA selection. Despite Phoenix’s struggles, his 26.6 PPG, 6.0 REB, 4.2 AST averages on the season made him a strong contender for his 12th career All-NBA nod.
Durant has likely played his last game in a Suns uniform. He was nearly dealt to the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline, and rumors have swirled that Durant and the Suns’ management will work together to find a trade partner this offseason.
His Phoenix stint was not what he had hoped. After joining at the 2023 trade deadline, Phoenix managed to fight past the Los Angeles Clippers before losing in the second round of the playoffs to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets. Last season saw them win 49 games, only to be swept in the first round. Now, they sit at 35-45 in dire straits. It’s no wonder Durant will look for greener pastures this summer.
For the Suns, the only benefit to the shutdown is keeping their trade piece healthy. Phoenix is the only team in the draft lottery that will not own their pick, no matter how the balls fall. They’re also on the hook for two more years and $110 million to Bradley Beal, while franchise player Devin Booker remains under contract for three more seasons but will be the subject of trade speculation all offseason. It’s safe to say owner Mat Ishbia probably wishes he could take back his comment about 26 other teams envying their position.
If this is truly the end of the partnership, then farewell to Kevin Durant’s desert era. You were… interesting.
