As the Phoenix Suns prepare for the 2024-25 NBA season, speculation surrounding the future of superstar Kevin Durant has been swirling. With the team’s ballooning payroll, some have wondered if Durant might be growing restless. However, Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein was quick to shut down any trade rumours during a recent interview with PHNX Sports, emphasizing Durant’s contentment with the franchise.
The Suns, who spent an estimated $259.5 million last season on salary and luxury tax bills, finished sixth in the Western Conference and were swept out of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. This season, their financial commitment is expected to skyrocket to $447 million, raising questions about owner Mat Ishbia’s willingness to continue spending at such a high level, especially with the roster-building constraints imposed by the league’s second apron.
Despite these concerns, Bartelstein assured fans that Durant remains fully invested in the team. “I think the most important part is you can’t just have conversations when there’s issues or things come up, right? Because then it’s not true and authentic. It goes to our care factor. So I talk to KD all the time about how his life is, about the Olympics… He loves it here,” Bartelstein said.
Bartelstein highlighted the ongoing communication between Durant, his business partner Rich Kleiman, and the Suns’ management, stressing that everyone is aligned with the team’s vision. “We talk to Rich Kleiman, who’s his [business] partner, all the time about the vision and what we’re building, and everyone’s really happy, and I think we’re gonna have a really, really good year,” Bartelstein added. “Kevin’s part of all the discussions about the vision for the team, all the stuff we’re doing on the court, off the court. So the fact that we have all that dialogue, there’s equity built into it. If you do those things, everything else will take care of itself.”
At this point, it appears that the only scenario in which the Suns would entertain trading Kevin Durant is if he explicitly demands it, but there are no indications of that happening.
This offseason, the Suns made several moves, including the shrewd acquisition of Tyus Jones at the veteran’s minimum, but their biggest gamble was hiring Mike Budenholzer as head coach. Bartelstein expressed strong confidence in Budenholzer’s ability to maximize the potential of a top-heavy Suns roster.
“He is awesome. I mean, he’s the real deal. We’ve become very, very close over the three months. It’s crazy it’s been that fast. He’s so detail-oriented. He thinks Phoenix Suns all day, every day, from the biggest things of where is Kevin gonna get the ball to the smallest things of how do we maximize our two-way guys’ days? Like, he’s just always thinking Suns basketball, and he’s a basketball savant,” Bartelstein said. “The way he uses players, the success he’s had, the wins, you’re talking about one of the best coaches in the NBA.”
The Suns will kick off their 2024-25 campaign in Los Angeles, facing the Clippers in the inaugural game at the new Intuit Dome. They will then stay in town for a highly anticipated matchup featuring Paris Olympians Durant, Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis in an exciting opening week contest.
As the season approaches, the Suns remain confident in their direction and, with Kevin Durant firmly in their plans, are poised to challenge for a top spot in the West.
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