Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns crashed out of the first round of the 2024 Playoffs after being swept, ending what was supposed to be a contending season in the worst possible way. To make matters worse, Stephen A. Smith is reporting that Durant is unhappy with the Suns after the season.
“It is a problem. We don’t see it ’cause the stats are there. Him and (Devin) Booker average 27 points a game and what have you, but they say Kevin Durant is never happy. They say he went more than a month without even talking to the head coach (Frank Vogel). They say he doesn’t look happy there.”
Durant’s focus on just playing basketball and not being a locker-room leader is a cause for concern.
“All he wants to do is play when the game starts and tip-off time arrives, but when it comes to ingratiating yourself with your teammates and getting along with everybody and stuff like that, he just lives in his own world.”
Smith also drew parallels between what Durant is doing now and what we saw him do on the Warriors before leaving the franchise in 2019.
“It’s similar to what he was doing in Golden State before leaving, which is what was driving Draymond Green crazy, which is why he ultimately got into it on the court in that Clippers game and what have you. You hear stuff, you hear stuff, you hear about the level of unhappiness, etc, etc. And you get tired of it because when you don’t want to talk and you don’t want to answer questions, you don’t want to lead in a very visible way, that forces other people to have to step up and take on a level of culpability that they don’t want to stomach.”
Smith took a shot at the Suns’ perceived big three trio, saying that Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal fit the bill of a big three in all aspects outside on-court production.
“They’re not a big three. They’re a big three in money. They’re a big three in name. But they ain’t a big three in level of production.”
.@stephenasmith says it's time to "disband" the Suns' big three 😳
"They're not a big three. They're a big three in money. They're a big three in name. But they ain't a big three in level of production." pic.twitter.com/90mqtmYzQJ
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 13, 2024
Durant averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the season and 26.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in the Playoffs, hoping he could lead the team to a Finals run while also taking on the role of being their defensive anchor.
A flawed roster in the hands of a coach who needed better personnel was bound to create tension and anger in the locker room. Frank Vogel has been blamed, but it’s clear the problem starts with the front office.
Reading into anything Stephen A. says about Durant is foolhardy given their acrimonious relationship, but Vogel’s firing after one season could be justified by using the names of stars like Durant and Booker. Hopefully, Mike Budenholzer fares better.
Everyone is looking for who to blame, with Durant becoming the answer for many. It’s clear this is Mat Ishbia’s fault for forcing the Bradley Beal trade.
The Suns had the opportunity to build a well-balanced roster around Durant and Booker, but those plans were nuked the second Beal came to Phoenix. With his hefty contract and a no-trade clause, Beal realistically can’t be traded.
With Booker being the homegrown star of the franchise and Beal an untradeable asset, an unhappy Durant might get a move away from the team if he so desires.
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