An Experiment Unlike Any Other: And for Perhaps the Wrong Reasons
When the Phoenix Suns traded for Kevin Durant in February 2023, it was the biggest trade for the franchise since Charles Barkley. This also marked the biggest mid-season trade in recent NBA history. But what happened after Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets in the 2025 offseason? Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
After Durant landed in Phoenix, he only played eight games due to injury. Still, the core of him, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton, were intimidating on paper. In those eight games, the team went 8-0. Despite this promising start, they only managed to make it to the second round and lost to the eventual NBA champion, the Denver Nuggets.
That offseason, the commitment to winning a championship was clear. The Suns traded for Bradley Beal and formed a Big Three that had championship expectations written all over it. However, the trio won zero playoff games together and missed the playoffs entirely in the 2024-25 season.
Durant’s True Feelings About the Franchise
Before the 2025-26 season tipped off, Durant spoke with Sports Illustrated regarding his true feelings about the franchise. “I wanted to retire in Phoenix. It’s a different vibe over there, man. I really had good intentions when I stepped foot in there,” Durant said. “The picture in your head doesn’t always come to fruition.”
Kevin Durant and the Suns Had Championship Expectations
Since Durant joined the Suns, everyone expected him to bring the city its first NBA championship. The franchise had come close three times (1976, 1993, 2021) before the Slim Reaper arrived. Durant and Booker had championship DNA coursing through the team, and adding Beal only sealed that aspiration and heightened their goal.
Team owner Mat Ishbia was willing to push beyond the luxury tax and into the second apron to make it happen. However, this aggressive approach cost the Suns years of draft picks and risked leaving them in basketball purgatory. Unfortunately, they showed no signs of sustained success.
Injuries played a major role, perhaps the biggest part. The Big Three rarely saw playing time together, and chemistry was inconsistent. While the offensive power was undeniable, the defense left much to be desired. Additionally, they went through two “championship” coaches—Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer—with the latter missing the playoffs entirely.
These high expectations, combined with a limited roster mostly filled with veteran-minimum players, made life difficult even for a talent like Durant.
“In Phoenix, everything had to work perfectly for us,” Durant said. “I felt like when we played well, we could compete with anybody in the league. But the great teams, they could make a couple of mistakes, and their talent from top to bottom could mask that a little bit.
“We didn’t have that type of room for error. And that was a little frustrating. It’s not a bad place to be. I felt like we had a chance every night with the talent that we had, but I wish we had a little bit more room for mistakes. If you turn it over here, give up a rebound there — we couldn’t allow that at all in Phoenix, so that was tough to deal with.”
The Suns and Rockets Have a Win-Win Deal With the Kevin Durant Trade
It’s not often that a trade benefits both sides, but this one seems to have done just that. Durant is thriving with the Rockets, appearing as the isolation and bucket-getter they’ve long needed.
On the flip side, the Suns were able to significantly retool around Booker. No one can replace Durant’s talent, but Phoenix acquired players who fit the current team mold.
- Jalen Green brings athleticism and shot-making ability in the backcourt, complementing Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer.
- Dillon Brooks adds the edge the team has missed for seasons. He resembles someone like Jae Crowder — an enforcer who is also an effective offensive contributor.
- Khaman Maluach, drafted with the No. 10 pick acquired from Houston, has already made a lasting impression with his energy, enthusiasm, and defensive instincts, especially impressive for such a raw player.
As the regular season tips off in a matter of days, both teams face different expectations. The Rockets carry potential championship hopes, much like Durant’s time with the Suns. Meanwhile, Phoenix aims to build a foundation on bedrock rather than sinking in the sand.
If things go according to plan, this could be one of the few true win-win trades in NBA history. But that is a major if — and no one will know until the regular season begins.