Devin Booker and Kevin Durant expressed the value of continuity after the Suns were swept in the opening round by the Timberwolves, Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports relays. Rather than making major changes to the roster and staff, the superstar duo believes they just need to go through the process together.
“At the end of all this, there’s gonna be one winner, and everybody that doesn’t win is gonna go into somewhat of a panic mode and feel like they have to make changes and do this and do that,” Booker said. “But I think over time, experience is the best teacher. So the more that you can spend time together and feel this hurt together and go through it together, the better off you are in the future.”
“Yeah, continuity is important,” Durant said. “All the great teams in the league thus far has been together for two, three years — the Minnesotas, Denvers, Bostons, the Lakers, OKCs. A lot of teams have been together for a few years, so I’m looking forward to building.”
We have more on the Suns:
- As part of the above-mentioned theme, Booker believes that poor communication was a primary reason for their downfall, according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes. “I think everybody would say that the details matter and it’s something that we kind of passed by and didn’t think was a big deal but kind of came back and bit us in the ass,” Booker said, adding, “Hopefully, everybody is feeling the same type of hurt. I have to be better. Kevin has to be better. Brad (Bradley Beal) has to be better. Coach has to be better. We’re the leaders of the team. We can’t be out there unprepared.”
- Mark Deeks of HoopsHype provides his offseason outlook for the Suns, noting how hamstrung they’ll be as a team over the second tax apron. Perhaps the only significant move they might make would be changing coaches again.
- The salary cap issues will make it difficult for the Suns to acquire a true starting point guard and improve one of the shallowest benches in the league without creating other holes, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst opines. Windhorst notes Phoenix ranked last in offensive efficiency in fourth quarters, when having a floor leader is crucial.
- The Suns would have been better off making more prudent choices the last couple of years rather than bringing in two more superstars and creating the predicament they’re in now, Michael Pina of The Ringer argues. They may have to seriously consider moving on from Durant while he still has plenty of value around the league, Pina adds, though that might also alienate Booker.
- Regarding Durant, he never felt comfortable with his role in Phoenix’s offense alongside Booker and Beal this season, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Doug Haller. Sources tell The Athetic’s duo that Durant had persistent issues with the offense, feeling that he was being relegated to the corner far too often and not having the proper schemes to play to his strengths. Some teammates and people close to the organization believed Durant should have urged Frank Vogel and his coaching staff to make those changes.
Head Coach has to be gone, need to do whatever they can to get a PG, and see if Beal is willing to come off the bench. It likely wont work but to be honest it can’t be worse than it was this year.
You spent all that time complaining in another thread, spouting nonsense to protect the owner and this is what you come up with?
-Head coach out so they have to start from square one again, likely causing more underachievement.
-Get a PG… with what money? They’re giving it all to KD, Booker, Beal, and Allen.
-See if Beal will come off the bench to solve… the bench issue I mentioned that you said wasn’t an issue because it was entirely Vogel, KD, and Booker’s fault?
Look, I’m fine with the Suns destroying themselves internally but this would in no way make them better.
Paying a guy 160 million for the next three years to come off the bench is insane
nothing fixes this roster, beyond top heavy with their big 3 that basically are redundant and they have 0 defense.
Durant is such a diva.
Just admit that the wolves weee the superior team this year. Fact!
Wolves playing very good ball
Forget about firing the coach or trying to look elsewhere. Teams better watch out for the wolves
Even if suns would’ve won a title this team wasn’t sustainable. Extra 100mm out of pocket!
Wow
Suns need to find a way to stay healthy and hope continuity is the answer to this big cash of a mess
They did admit that: “All the great teams in the league thus far has been together for two, three years — the Minnesotas…” Maybe keeping CP3 was the continuity the Suns needed.
Agreed that, while the coach has seemed out of sync with the stars, he’s not the problem. Maybe a new offensive assistant coach will help. Shrug.
KD talking continuity…like he doesn’t hop and destroy rosters every 2-3 years since leaving GSW.
It’s funny how Kevin Durant never got passed the second round again after leaving the Golden State Warriors back in 2019. Meanwhile Curry was able to win multiple championships even without Durant.
Look at that you have three iso heavy scorers, no money for role players and you end up with disgruntled stars being unhappy to be in the corner on offence.
KD man learn from your mistakes, big names don’t mean success.
Would love to see him return back to OKC to finish his career and win a title there. That would be insane for his legacy and be such a great story line for the league. OKC ofcourse have so much picks, young talent and cap space that it could happen.
KD for Giddey, Wallace, Deing, J Will (the centre not JDub) and 5 first round picks
Thunder have the 12th pick and Suns have the 22nd pick, try move up and grab Ron Holland.
Try trade Bradley Beal away using a first for Ben Simmons (just to clear cal space)
Wallace and Booker in the backcourt with Ron Holland at SF, Nurkic at centre obviously. Simmons huge expiring deal, Giddey and Allen off the bench together than young players like Deing and JWill to go with Nas Little and David Roddy.
Plus you’ll still have another 3 future first from OKC to look forward too…..
why are you giving up that much for a 36 yo declining Durant? 5 1st rds? that’s insane.
wait for him to demand trade.
Yeah 5 might be abit much maybe 3 or 4 but he’s the kind of player they need to win a title
They’re stuck with this group …. their only hope is to luck out on a cheap, serviceable PG and younger wings this offseason.
Beal should come off the bench – he’ll probably do worse to Vogel then, assuming Vogel is still there next season.
OKC is not trading for Durant. They are looking for a center.
I think Holmgren is sufficient.
Short version…
Blow it up or be prepared for the KD trade demand circus…
Suns fan aren’t going to want to hear this, but the only way to really fix the roster is dealing Book.
Moving Beale is not happening. No team is going to take his salary on without the Suns attaching assets that they don’t have. They could move KD, but we all know he’ll want to control the narrative as to where he lands, likely leaving the Suns with getting a mediocre return and still having the issue of Book and Beale in the backcourt.
Book at least gets them pieces. He’s absolutely the last guy of the Big 3 I would want to trade, but that’s also why he gets you the best return.
I was thinking the same thing. I agree.
Yes Greg it’s either that or they run it back with a couple of interesting additions at minimum salaries.
They do have a point with continuity so perhaps they sleep in the bed they made and give this a go for two or three years till these contracts run out? Nothing wrong with that.
One failed first round exit doesn’t mean you blow it up again and start over. They just got these guys lol.
Beal was a mistake. Allen’s contract was a mistake. Durant is a mistake on any team. The chemistry on this team is a mistake. The coach is a mistake considering he’s defensive minded without the defensive players.
Blow it up, if possible.
Losers
the schadenfreude is so glorious.