Whether for good or bad, the Kevin Durant era with the Phoenix Suns finally ended on Sunday. It took a historic seven-team trade to achieve that for the Suns, and with all certainty, it was what the entire Valley wanted.
It’s not that Durant didn’t perform in Phoenix. He made two All-Star teams and one NBA All-Second team, continuing to ascertain why he is the greatest “pure scorer” in history. But that’s not the only thing you expect when you sign one of the greatest basketball players of all time, either.
You expect winning basketball. You expect playoff success. You expect an NBA Championship. Not only were all of those things missing, but the Suns never even came close to achieving that. They missed the playoffs entirely last season, and in the two seasons prior with Durant, Phoenix was 6-9.
But perhaps the biggest issue was the lack of camaraderie in Phoenix. Cohesion is essential for a team to win. When there are rumors of infighting in a team, the franchise is destined to lose unless it’s the Lakers of 2002-03.
It has become increasingly clear that Durant won’t be proud of his time in Arizona. His legacy with the Suns is complicated at best, if not the worst of his career, and it was increasingly visible in the comment section of his farewell message to the franchise.
“My time in Phoenix has come to an end,” Kevin Durant wrote on X. “All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way. Remember it’s a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space, work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players. I appreciate all the quick interactions with everybody from support staff to teammates distant cousins, it’s all a family that I’m grateful to be apart of, no matter what. I truly believe this nba is a one big community. Much love to Arizona. Houston, Can’t Wait!”
My time in Phoenix has come to an end. All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way. Remeber it’s a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space, work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players. I appreciate all the…
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 6, 2025
The comment section of Durant’s message was filled with anger, and it’s a reflection of how his time in the Valley went. Even when one person thanked him, it was for setting the franchise back for a decade.
“Thanks for setting my franchise back 10 years,” one fan wrote.
“You highkey did nothing for the suns,” another fan wrote.
“You ruined the Suns Franchise,” a third fan wrote.
If you haven’t noticed by now, Durant didn’t thank the fans in his message. Yes, his relationship with fans has never been smooth, but it only triggered more backlash.
“Kevin, why aren’t you thanking the fans? You wouldn’t earn a salary without the fans,” one fan asked.
“Stop running from the grind I lost respect for you,” wrote another.
“It was an honor to get to see you play live and in person so many times. A talent unlike anything I’ve witnessed in person. Things didn’t work out for everyone involved, and such is life. All the best moving forward,” a rare comment read.
No one can deny Durant’s individual success, but that wasn’t the only reason the Suns brought him, and he might be the greatest basketball player to have ever worn a Suns jersey, but he leaves nowhere near as close as the greatest Suns player.
No introduction necessary.
🏆 2x NBA Champion
🥇 NBA MVP
💫 15x NBA All-Star
🏅 2x NBA Finals MVP
🏅 4x Olympic Gold MedalistWelcome to Houston, Kevin Durant! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/BSiZIXOXf7
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 6, 2025
The 15-time All-Star now now lands with the Houston Rockets, while the Suns received Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, Khaman Maluach (No. 10 overall), Rasheer Fleming (No. 31 overall), Koby Brea (No. 41 overall), Daeqwon Plowden, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2032 second-round pick in return, setting up for a nice rebuild for a new era in Phoenix.
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2 comments
KD
He truly ruined the fracnhise
ZD
Yeah he ruined it.