While the Phoenix Suns appear to have found a bit of form in recent games their record still suggests that there are deeper issues afoot.
The Suns have won four of their last five games which includes the recent 123-130 win over the Washington Wizards.
Suns owner Matt Ishbia is not afraid of taking risks, and the side recently made yet another trade which has seen them bring in center Nick Richards from the Orlando Magic.
With the Suns highlighting their willingness to make bold decisions could the future of Kevin Durant be in question? Trade rumors suggest teams are interested.
Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic know all too well that the Suns are willing to make tough decisions if they think it will benefit them long-term.
Beal has been dropped to the bench as the team looks to force a potential trade for the star, Jimmy Butler appears to be the preferred replacement.
Nurkic has found himself dropped from the team completely and Suns coach Mike Budenholzer explained how he came to the decision, something that Nurkic was not informed about.
While the futures of Beal and Nurkic look set to be away from the Suns it appears Durant may not be untouchable.
Speaking on the Kevin O’Connor show, Tom Haberstroh suggested that ‘it’s only a matter of time’ before Durant has had enough, saying: “It’s only a matter of time before Kevin Durant’s like ‘I’m not going to be sitting here watching the playoffs on my couch again’, so we’ll see what happens in the next month.”
It’s clear that the Suns’ super team attempt is yet to work and while Durant has defended the Suns owners in recent weeks it doesn’t mean that his future is set with the struggling Western Conference outfit.
The Suns moving on from two-time NBA Champion Durant seems like an odd decision, especially considering his season numbers.
Durant is averaging 27-6-4 and has been one of the very few shining lights in what has been a poor season.
Haberstroh however has warned the Suns to decide on Durant’s future before he walks like he did with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He said: “Just like the way that OKC should have seen the writing on the wall and traded Kevin Durant before he walked I think Phoenix has to figure out a way to get value back for Durant while he’s healthy at this age rather than letting not being able to recoup some of the assets for a peak Durant.”
Durant’s teammate Devin Booker has been linked with a move to the Houston Rockets but Haberstroh explained why Durant makes more sense.
He said: “I think it’s more likely when you look at the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns that Kevin Durant makes more sense being a part of that package than Devin Booker. I think they’re going to continue to build around Booker, he’s young enough and he’s the homegrown talent.”
A Durant trade away from the Suns would certainly send shockwaves throughout the league, but it certainly cannot be discounted.
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