Kevin Durant Shares Blunt View of Suns’ Season After Near Trade to Warriors..
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant discussed the team’s performance so far and the tactical shifts planned for the rest of the season. Durant highlighted the urgency required, as the Suns are ranked 11th in the Western Conference at 26-28. Reflecting on the season’s challenges and potential solutions, Durant noted that the Suns started well (8-1) but have left potential on the table based on their execution since. Durant suffered a calf injury that sidelined him for a month, ultimately diminishing Phoenix’s hot start. “We started well,” Durant said. “I feel like we definitely could be playing better. I feel like there’s a couple factors. We had some guys in and out of the lineup. We’re not rebounding well, turning the ball over. I think just fundamental stuff I think we’ll be better. If
we fix that coming out of the break, I think we’ll have a better chance to win some basketball games.” The Suns recently adjusted their starting lineup by incorporating Bol Bol Bol to solidify the roster. He He has notably impacted the team’s recent games, averaging 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks over the last four games. “We made a couple lineup changes, too, that will help us out, adding more size to our starting lineup, so that may help, as well,” Durant continued. “Our last few games, we’ve just been playing a better brand of ball. Even though we lost two, I feel like we’re just playing a better brand of ball, a more sustainable brand with the lineup switches like that.”
Despite facing the league’s most challenging remaining strength of schedule, Durant, averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this season, remains optimistic about the Suns’ outlook to turn their season around before it’s too late. “We’re all figuring it out, man,” Durant said. “We’ve got 28, 29 games to go to figure it out. That’s the fun part, trying to figure out how to get out of a slump.” Kevin Durant dunks against Candace’s Rising Stars during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Before getting back in action with the Suns, Durant represented the organization at NBA All-Star weekend. While the game was held at Chase Center, the practice was held at Oakland Arena, formerly Oracle Arena.
Durant cherished his return to where he secured his first NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 before ultimately winning another. “Celebrating the championship here was incredibly special, as it was the only time we celebrated at home during that era,” Durant said. “I have profound love for the Bay Area and its fans, who have deeply influenced my career.” The Suns return to action on Thursday when they face the San Antonio Spurs on the road in Austin, where Durant played college basketball as a member of the Longhorns. “Yeah, it does mean a lot to me,”
Durant said. “I’m excited that we get to go back to play a regular-season game there. Austin is a place where I kind of started this journey, and to have so many friends and family that are still there from, what, 16, 17 years ago is pretty sweet. So, I appreciate the NBA for setting this up. This is a unique time.” After a dramatic trade deadline that featured Durant nearly being traded back to the Warriors, he remains confident that the Suns can still achieve their goals. If they fail to do so, he will become a top name to watch in trade rumors this summer.
