The Phoenix Suns had a lost season. We know how hard they floundered in the absence of their own franchise player, Kevin Durant. Last season, the Suns ended up 11th in the West. Even after making a strong run to the 2021 Finals, they missed the playoffs. This season, Durant has been terrific, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 62 games. His presence has been hugely instrumental to the team’s success. The contrast between the team’s performance with and without him starkly illustrates the challenges ahead for both the franchise and Durant himself.
When Durant was on the floor, it was like watching an entirely different team. It looked like a team that could contend. With this ambitious plan, they have done extraordinarily well with a record of 33-29. That kind of pace would’ve netted them a ninth-place finish in the brutal Western Conference. Their ineptitude was most fully revealed when Durant missed time. The team subsequently stumbled to a dismal 3-17 record, illustrating just how reliant they had become on his scoring and leadership.
Durant only has one year remaining on his $55 million deal. That pretty much guarantees a cloudy future for him with the Suns. He has the option to extend his contract two additional years. This extension will control up to $124 million in value. Most analysts guess that his maximum-for-three-years deal could get as high as $180 million. Durant wants to retire on his own terms. As he looks to plan his future, obvious questions need to be asked as to whether he’ll find himself still in Phoenix, or elsewhere.
The Impact of Kevin Durant’s Absence
The numbers don’t lie and they paint a clear picture when it comes to just how impactful Kevin Durant has been since joining the Suns. Though he was on the lineup, the Trojans were good – really, really good. That’s a win pace of 44 wins over the course of a full season. This record would have put them second in the highly coveted playoff position in the brutally tough Western Conference.
Once Durant was back in the mix, whenever he would miss games, the Suns just couldn’t find consistency. The extreme difference from before his arrival, during his time on the field, and after he left speaks to the lack of overall roster strength and fortitude. In games without Durant, they couldn’t find a rhythm and were tortured by their own up-and-down play.
You know Monty Williams, now the head coach of the Suns, was understandably frustrated after his team earned no respect while playing well in defeat. He proclaimed, “We are no longer the Suns of yesteryear! This aside highlights just how much the team has changed from their Finals run two years ago.
“It’s hard to play the way you’ve played and not get the respect you deserve. But guess what, you’ve got it! We’ve shocked the world and this is special. You’ve gained the respect of the league!” – Monty Williams
Leadership Challenges for the Suns
As the Suns head into their unpredictable, tumultuous future, the leadership battle within the organization makes things even more complicated. Devin Booker, the other face of the franchise, is well aware of his responsibility to help lead the team going forward. He emphasized, “I need to be a leader and use my voice more,” recognizing that he must step up as a driving force for both his teammates and fans.
The development of young talent already within the organization will be the key to sustainable long-term success. For the team to thrive, the Suns will require consistent leadership and performance from established stars like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Without their ongoing support, the team may find it difficult to regain their tarnished reputation and competitiveness.
The organization’s focus will need to shift towards addressing its leadership structure and ensuring that all players are aligned with a common goal. For Booker and others, this on the ground means creating systems at every level of government and in private philanthropy where accountability, collaboration, and inclusion can flourish.
The Future for Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is somewhere wondering what’s next. His dealings over the next month have profound implications for his legacy and for the long-term outlook of the Phoenix Suns. More than anything, he wants to retire on his own terms. This wish has made it difficult to talk about his future in Phoenix.
As one high-ranking NBA official put it recently, Durant is a “top-three name in this league.” This further underscores the tremendous impact he has been making, on and off the court. His impact is hard to quantify, but it’s not just in his scoring ability — it’s in his leadership skills. On one hand, Durant finds himself in an incredible dilemma. He needs to weigh his best financial opportunities with his undeniable ambition to play in the NCAA or NHL.
There’s a ton of work for the Suns to do to attract smart talent around Durant if he decides to stay with the franchise longterm. So now they have to work to craft a gameplan that plays to his strengths. Simultaneously, they have to address the places they failed last year.
Leave a Reply