For around a month it was very uncomfortable for the Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant post the trade deadline.
Kevin Durant was linked away from the Phoenix Suns at the trade deadline, and had to come out and explain his decision to stay. He simply did not want to leave mid-season.
The Suns had been blocked from trading Bradley Beal due to the clause in his contract, leading to Phoenix to try other avenues. They ending up having to stay as they were, with Butler joining the Warriors.
An uncomfortable fallout left everybody predicting a Durant exit to be imminent. And this could be possible, with former NBA star Matt Barnes recently claiming the star looks ‘miserable’ in Phoenix.
In recent games, however, the competitive juices have been flowing, with Phoenix encouraged by the implosion on the Dallas Mavericks, enabling them to eventually overtake them and move back into the top 10 in the Western Conference.
With something to play for, Phoenix have been showing a little spark, showcased in their 108-106 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, with Durant leading the way with 38 points.
Kevin Durant has been linked away to various teams, including the Timberwolves, and speaking in the wake of the trade deadline, NBA insider Brian Windhorst claimed it was inevitable Durant would leave the Suns in the post-season.
And perhaps that will be true. But right now, in late March, with Phoenix on a four-game winning streak, they are being urged not to give up.
Speaking on ESPN, former NBA star Carlos Boozer believes the Suns must try to do what they can to repair the relationship that may have fractured between Durant and the team’s front office.
He explained: “I think they should try to. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker together is so dynamic.
“I know that there was trade talks around the break, and I don’t know how many bottles of wine it would take to salvage that relationship, but I would want to keep Booker and KD together if you can.
“Keeping these two superstar players together, it would be in their best interests.”
Durant’s former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Kendrick Perkins is in agreement that Kevin Durant could yet be persuaded to stay with the Phoenix Suns.
He agreed: “Keep Kevin Durant, I’m in agreement with Booz, I don’t think their window has closed when it comes down to, ‘can they get the relationship back on good terms.’
“Look at the way Kevin Durant been playing over the last few games, especially with Bradley Beal out of the line up.”
Like many superstar players, Kevin Durant has come to life when it really matters. He has lifted his game from averaging 25.5 points in February, to 27.3 in March.
Pushing on in the post-season will be tough, even if they make it through the Play-In, but simply making it would lift the vibes in Phoenix, compared to the disaster if they had missed out altogether.
Two tough tests await, with Phoenix next taking on the Boston Celtics, although they could be missing Jayson Tatum, and then the Minnesota Timberwolves.
