GM: Suns, Kevin Durant Moving Forward After Trade Deadline
Kevin Durant, rather than Bradley Beal, became the focal point of trade discussions for the Phoenix Suns in the final hours before the NBA trade deadline two weeks ago.
Reports emerged about the Suns’ potential interest in trading Durant to the Golden State Warriors in a complex deal that ultimately did not materialize. ESPN detailed what was considered, what fell through, and why Phoenix did not complete a blockbuster trade involving either Durant’s departure or Jimmy Butler’s arrival.
Addressing the speculation, Durant told ESPN last week that he had no role in initiating the rumors. “I didn’t ask for a trade,” he stated.
Phoenix Suns president of basketball operations and general manager James Jones also dismissed the idea that the organization needed to mend fences with Durant after the deadline passed.
“No, I mean I think that’s the story everyone wants to talk about,” Jones said on Bickley & Marotta via Arizona Sports. “Kevin is unique in the sense that he tells you exactly how he feels and he understands this game, top to bottom. … No smoothing over (was needed) because he wants to do what we want to do, which is win.”
Jones praised Durant’s ability to stay focused despite ongoing speculation. “He’s been great. I think it’s a testament to his ability to put the game above anything else. We’re aware the narratives will continue to bubble up. And like I said, when you’re not winning, it gets noisy. The only way to counter that is to win games and stack wins, and if we do that, I think we’ll have the outcome that we set out to achieve at the beginning of the season.”
Durant, speaking with ESPN’s Malika Andrews during the NBA All-Star break, acknowledged why speculation surrounded the Suns.
Phoenix (26-28) currently sits in 11th place in the Western Conference as it resumes play against the San Antonio Spurs. Just 1.5 games out of a play-in spot, the Suns’ current standing falls short of expectations, especially given their high payroll.
Trade deadline activity further highlighted the team’s urgency to improve, with reports of a potential Durant trade, Bradley Beal’s benching, and Jusuf Nurkić’s diminished role culminating in his trade to Charlotte.
“But obviously, when you pay so much for a team and we’re not playing up to our expectation, somebody has to go,” Durant told Andrews.
Regarding future roster decisions, Durant suggested the front office remains the best source of insight. “You probably should check in with those guys in the front office throughout the rest of the season and see how they feel about the team,” he said. “I know that I’m going to try and keep bringing my best every single day and I let the higher-ups focus on what’s next.”
Jones echoed Durant’s mindset, stating that the trade deadline’s passing helps teams solidify their focus.
“Too often we forget these guys are human and these guys, they’re people,” Jones said. “They hear, they consume. They know when the team isn’t performing the way we’re wanting to, we’re all interested in getting better. My job is always to look at things, but it’s also a testament to the talent of this group. Teams, they’re interested in our players. … They try to be opportunistic.”
Recognizing the need for improvement, Jones emphasized the importance of staying realistic. “We always try to make sure we aren’t being blind to the facts. When a team isn’t performing, something’s gotta improve, something’s gotta change. We make a bunch of different tweaks. But at the end of the day, once you get to the All-Star break and guys know where they’re finishing their season, it’s a lot easier to lock in and focus and rally around that one mission, which is get as many wins as you can and take this season as far as you can.”
