Phoenix Suns famous person Kevin Durant has been linked to groups just like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Warmth, however ought to contenders be desirous about buying and selling for a soon-to-be 37-year-old participant who hasn’t appeared within the NBA Finals since his days with star-studded Golden State Warriors rosters?
Kevin Durant Is A Egocentric Celebrity
Durant is likely one of the best gamers in NBA historical past, profitable two championships, an MVP award, two NBA Finals awards, two All-Star Recreation MVP awards, 4 scoring titles, and Rookie of the Yr. He has additionally been named to 11 All-NBA groups and is a 15-time All-Star.
In line with Basketball Reference, Durant ranks eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring checklist with 30,571 factors, trailing LeBron James (42,184), Kareem Abdul Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643), Michael Jordan (32,292), Dirk Nowitzki (31,560), and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419).
Regardless of all of his accomplishments, one might additionally argue that Durant can probably make a group worse. The problems with the Slim Reaper lie under the floor.
Now, we all know Durant made Golden State even higher, however his time spent with the Brooklyn Nets ended on a nasty be aware, and the Phoenix Suns had been unable to succeed in the Western Convention finals throughout his time there.
Even when Durant has by no means been named to the All-NBA Defensive group, he nonetheless manages to complete within the prime 20 in factors, true taking pictures share, area targets, free throws, and participant effectivity ranking.
This implies it’s not concerning the stats. There’s no I in group, and we all know that doesn’t get stated sufficient on this social media period, the place gamers care extra about podcasts and arguing with individuals on the web than they do about getting their group to the playoffs.
Tainted Championships
The Suns superior to the NBA Finals in 2021 with Devin Booker and Chris Paul, and though they misplaced to the Milwaukee Bucks in six video games, the group has executed nothing however regress since then. Including Durant and Bradley Beal into the combo ruined a championship-caliber squad.
Durant is just not solely accountable, however at what level is he the widespread denominator? He’s almost seven ft tall and is a terrific ball handler, so seeing his groups proceed to choke within the playoffs — and even fail to make the postseason — is negatively impacting his status to a sure extent.
Observe that Durant has by no means received an NBA championship away from the Warriors. Some critics argue to this present day that the previous MVP has but to win a authentic chip, as he fell brief with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Nets, and Suns. Followers consider gamers like LeBron James and Durant ruined the league for creating tremendous groups.
Durant had many alternatives to win a title with the Thunder, and the closest he got here to doing so was again in 2012 in opposition to James and the Miami Warmth. Nobody anticipated Durant to spend his whole profession in Oklahoma Metropolis, however followers had been relying on him to assist the group win a minimum of one championship earlier than leaving.
It could appear as if each group Durant has been traded to since 2019 has failed ultimately. Once more, it’s not all on Durant since rather a lot goes right into a group profitable a title. No famous person can do it alone.
Kevin Durant Is Dangerous Luck
Workforce chemistry is important for championship contenders. It’s one issue that may make or break a group come playoff time. Durant has averaged 25-plus factors per recreation in every of his final 10 seasons (he missed the complete 2019-20 season after struggling an Achilles tendon damage in opposition to the Toronto Raptors through the 2019 NBA Finals).
Nevertheless, are the basketball gods stopping Durant from profitable a title exterior the Bay Space? Did he promote his soul in some form of sick take care of the Satan to win back-to-back championships with the Warriors?
Each group that provides Durant will get hit with unhealthy luck, stemming from accidents, playoff disappointments, ridiculous contracts, and distractions like commerce drama or controversial social media posts.
For all the rubbish that followers give LeBron James, particularly for creating stated superteams and flopping, a minimum of he received Cleveland a title together with championships for the Warmth and Lakers.
Within the minds of some, Durant has so as to add an NBA championship to his résumé that doesn’t have Golden State subsequent to it. The issue is that he doesn’t stick round lengthy sufficient on groups these days for that to occur.
A prime 15 all-time nice who’s shortly changing into often called a journeyman is simply bizarre.
Heading into the 2025 offseason, normal managers ought to be saying this outdated cliché to themselves, “idiot me as soon as, disgrace on you, idiot me twice, disgrace on me.”
