The Phoenix Suns have categorically denied rumors that they are trading star Kevin Durant, with several members of the organization issuing clarifying statements this week. With fans turning their attention back to the NBA for the 2024 draft, Phoenix has established a united front.
Suns General Manager James Jones was the most recent front office member to address the Durant rumors, telling reporters after the first round Wednesday that the team has never considered a trade.
“It’s the question, it’s the topic of discussion, it’s the stuff that gets clicks that everyone wants to talk about,” Jones said. “But I think I said it specifically back on May 19 when I was asked are we trading Kevin Durant. I said ‘no’ then, I’ll say ‘no’ now.”
Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Suns owner Mat Ishbia took to social media to convey the same message.
“NBA Draft night is the best. Everyone talking about the drama and storylines, some are right and some are just wrong,” Ishbia said. “My turn. Phoenix loves Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant loves Phoenix, and we are competing for a championship this year because we have the team to do it. Gotta love draft night! Go Suns.”
Phoenix is coming off back-to-back seasons in which the team has underperformed despite immense star power. Durant, along with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, have combined to form one of the best trios in the NBA, but the Suns have not advanced past the conference semifinals since Durant’s arrival during the 2023 season.
In an effort to surround Booker with proven talent in recent years, the Suns have had to deal away several key role players like veteran Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.
Breaking up the roster that advanced to the 2021 NBA Finals seemed risky but worthwhile at one point, but the team has already begun to backtrack. With a massive salary cap problem on the horizon, Phoenix had to deal away star big man Deandre Ayton last summer for spare parts just to fill out the roster.
Despite not attaining the level of success they might have anticipated in the past two seasons, the Suns are not yet willing to scrap everything. Durant still has two years remaining on his contract, and based on The statements from Jones and Ishbia, the front office still firmly believes in his ability to deliver a championship.
With their first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Wednesday, the Suns picked Dayton Flyers star DaRon Holmes III. They forfeited their second-round pick because of a tampering violation.