Since June, after the Phoenix Suns misplaced within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves, there have been it rumbles that Kevin Durant could possibly be on the buying and selling block. He has been casually linked to the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and Miami Warmth, though no traction has been publicly expressed concerning a commerce for him.
This yr, the Suns are 9-7, good for seventh place within the Western Convention, however Durant has missed the final seven video games. Up to now this season, he is averaging 27.6 factors on 42.9% from 3-point vary, which is the second-best mark of his profession. Within the 9 video games he performed in, the Suns had been 8-1 and clearly the most effective groups within the NBA.
With Durant due earlier than Christmas, the Suns could have loads of time to get again on monitor and put together for a deep playoff run. Bradley Beal is taking pictures 38.3% from deep and Devin Booker is slightly out of practice, however there isn’t any motive to panic, which is Precisely what Suns proprietor Mat Ishbia stated.
“Kevin Durant isn’t going anyplace,” Ishbia instructed ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday. “We’re attempting to compete on the highest stage, and there are 29 different groups attempting to do it, however when you might have an opportunity or a possibility, you wish to make the most of it.”
Ishbia undoubtedly understands that buying and selling Durant would enable the Suns to rebuild in a short time, particularly for the reason that Rockets are taken with him. Houston has ten first-round picks to commerce, and three of them had been initially owned by Phoenix. Nevertheless, with a title window open now, the Suns seem like fueling up for a playoff run, with out making ready to reset their roster.
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