NBA Insider Reveals When Kevin Durant Will Make Suns Debut
The Phoenix Suns shocked the NBA by trading for Kevin Durant, and many feel they could become the league’s next great team.
Durant is yet to make his Suns debut, as he has been out for over a month with a sprained MCL.
However, according to Shams Charania, he could return to the court as early as next Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets.
Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns are targeting his Suns debut and return to action in next Wednesday’s road game against the Charlotte Hornets, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Durant is on cusp of return from MCL sprain that he suffered on Jan. 8.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 22, 2023
Phoenix could very well have the league’s best starting five upon Durant’s debut, as he will join Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
So far this season, the team, which won a league-high 64 games last season and reached the NBA Finals in 2021, has been mired in mediocrity, and has a disappointing 32-28 record and holds fifth place in the Western Conference.
Durant will give them one of the game’s best one-on-one players, not to mention an above-average wing defender and a secondary facilitator who is averaging 5.3 assists per game so far this season.
However, there are questions about how it will all work out.
For one, it is never easy to integrate a superstar, especially when a team acquires one at midseason, and there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period for the Suns.
Booker will have to sacrifice some scoring and touches to accommodate Durant, and there is always the chance that he may not be happy with having to do so.
Another concern is the Suns’ lack of depth, as they had to give up Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson to land Durant.
It is also unknown if they will be a good enough defensive team moving forward, or if they will have to win a lot of 135-130 games in order to advance deep in the playoffs.
But one thing is for sure: The race for the Western Conference title has gotten a lot more interesting and exciting.