Kevin Durant has finished his first full season in Phoenix with the Suns. How should we assess his performance?
Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series, where we provide individual PLAYER REVIEWS for each player that participated during the 2023-24 season. We look through the roster to see what worked and what didn’t, and what they can do better next season.
The Phoenix Suns had a dismal end, but Kevin Durant was not completely to blame. The roster infrastructure around the Suns’ Big Three requires some improvement.
They have already moved on from Frank Vogel. What happens next? Blocking out the noise is clearly the top priority. The whispers are already flying, and as is usual of the NBA offseason, no respectable source is pushing these agendas. We are now dealing with rumors and content filler. Let us focus on what is important.
How can the Phoenix Suns utilize Kevin Durant’s potential?
"A constant focus for us is to continue how to figure out and maximize Kevin Durant. No one has done it yet. I believe we'll be the 1st team to do it."
James Jones.
"When he's playing at the highest level, he makes us a really, really good team and we're damn near unbeatable." pic.twitter.com/SOAL5iyp9k
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) May 1, 2024
Let’s take a look at what Kevin Durant has done for the Phoenix Suns this season.
Kevin Durant’s position is forward.
Vitals: 6’11”, 240 pounds, 35 years old.
Experience: sixteen years.
Stats: 27.1 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.9 steals.
Shooting splits: 52.3 FG%, 41.3 3PT%, and 85.6 FT%.
Accolades: 2024 All-Star Starter; (1) MVP vote.
Contract Details
Kevin Durant has two years remaining on his contract before becoming unrestricted free agent in the 2027 summer. He originally signed a four-year contract worth $194,219,320 with the Brooklyn Nets in 2022.
Durants will join Booker, Beal, Nurkic, Allen, and Little as assured returners for the 2024-25 season.
A quick overview of the Suns cap sheet heading into next season: pic.twitter.com/nAkS274PlJ
— John Voita (@DarthVoita) May 6, 2024
Career Progression
Kevin Durant’s career has been fraught with controversy, beginning with his decision to join Golden State after losing to them in the playoffs the previous year. Regardless of how it feels, it’s crucial to remember that he has only sought a trade once in his career, and that was in Brooklyn (to Phoenix) a year and a half ago.
He has nothing more to prove at this point, as his record of accomplishments is never-ending.
"You the real MVP."
10 years ago today, Kevin Durant’s emotional MVP speech & dedication to his mom. pic.twitter.com/8PWeroRkxD
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 6, 2024
The discussion over Durant has become tiresome at this point. At his age, what he performed should not be taken for granted, and I believe there is plenty more in the tank.
Regular Season Recap
Kevin Durant played in 75 games for the Suns this season, the most among the Big Three. It was also the most games he’d played since 78 with the Golden State Warriors in 2018-19. Availability was one of the biggest worries heading into the season, and he well exceeded those expectations.
Durant had to lead Phoenix through several stretches early in the season sans Bradley Beal and Devin Booker. Don’t forget that he was the steady force that kept them afloat throughout those trying times.
He hit this improbable game-winning shot against Chicago in one of the most exciting moments of Phoenix Suns basketball this season.
This game against Sacramento is just another unforgettable moment in a season that hasn’t been particularly memorable. Frank Vogel launched the historic comeback by throwing Durant at the five and let the spread offense to run with Booker, Beal, Allen, and Gordon. Good times.
He did get an MVP vote. Well, a fifth-place vote. Still counts.
The complete voting results for the 2023-24 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player. pic.twitter.com/Dqbd7MaRjC
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 8, 2024
While the season was a nightmare at times, he held down the fort during some difficult moments and appeared in the majority of their games this season, which is worth noting.
Postseason Recap
The Suns were swept in the first round, so this report will be much briefer than we had intended. Phoenix faced a Minnesota defense that stonewalled them, but Kevin Durant still produced decent numbers.
He averaged just under 27 points per game while shooting 65.3 percent against one of the greatest defenses we’ve seen in a long time. While there were times when he struggled, the overall body of work does not scream “swept”.
Kevin Durant vs the greatest defense of all time
– 26.8 PPG
– 6.5 RPG
– 3.3 APG
– 2 STOCKS
– 55/42/82 splits
– 65.3 TS% (+9.3 rTS%)Did all of this on 16 FGA per game and the least amount of touches in his career pic.twitter.com/zRLHdhVRR9
— ClutchMcGee (@RealClutchMcGee) May 7, 2024
Biggest Strength
His tough shot-making abilities remain unsurpassed, particularly from the midrange. His ability to shoot over defenders draped all over him without it affecting him in the least is astounding.
Get him the ball. Move out of the way. It’s simple. He can still hang 45-pieces on the best teams in the league.
I’ve always loved the variety of offensive options at his disposal.
He also had some amazing dunks this season that shook the arena. When he decides to descend downhill with momentum, best of luck.
Biggest Weakness
I’d start with turnovers, a lesser handling than normal, and physicality worrying him. His physicality issues worsen during the playoffs since officials allow some teams (and players) to tackle their defensive assignments.
I’d also like to see him be more assertive and demand the ball on occasion. He should never (or rarely) be employed as a decoy. Get furious. Clap for the ball. Take over.
Aside from the frequent turnover and physicality issues, he is as complete a player as you can find. It seems like nitpicking at this point. The supporting cast should play better. That is far higher on my list of concerns for this club.
Suns supporters may find additional reasons to complain, but I believe that many of these issues can be resolved by placing Durant in a better position in the first place. From a personnel standpoint, complete the team. This is the offseason they must get right.
What to Work On
The handle needs to be improved, and reckless turnovers might be inconvenient. His ability to deal with physicality has always been dubious, but when the referees let things go during the playoffs, it may have a significant influence on him. This is consistent with the blurb above about his vulnerabilities.
The Suns must find a way to place him in a stronger position to succeed. Shams Charania said: “I’m told that Kevin Durant was unhappy with the way the offense was run & his place in the offense.”
Please don’t stand in the corner as much. Coach Budenholzer and his new staff should be able to assist with this. Leadership is something the talking heads scream about, but how connected are they to the team?
Likelihood of Return
On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d rate this a solid 8.5. Block out the noise.
I will say that if they do not make a long playoff run next season, he is unlikely to return.
“When we traded for Kevin Durant, we knew we had four years with him. “The same thing with Brad Beal,” Mat Ishbia stated last Wednesday.
This is the year. I believe the “window” may close if they fail again next season. That being said, all signs point to Durant coming to Phoenix for another season unless we hear differently from RELIABLE sources. That’s all.
