Kevin Durant Addresses Suns' Championship Expectations

PHOENIX -- Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant knows what pressure is like.

The two-time NBA champion has pieced together one of the most storied careers in NBA history, one that has certainly been open to criticism. Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder and joined a fairly stacked Golden State Warriors squad where he finally reached the NBA Finals.

Durant departed for the Brooklyn Nets but found no sustained success there despite other big names occupying his tenure, eventually parting with the team when he was dealt to Phoenix at least year's trade deadline.

The Suns acquired Durant and later Bradley Beal to star alongside Devin Booker in hopes of bringing home a franchise-first NBA title (along with a strong free agency class).

Change has been a common theme in the Valley this summer, but expectations remain as high as ever with the Suns:

“I understand that’s a part of expectations and the talent level that we have on our team, but I don’t even look at it like that," said Durant in an interview with Sirius XM at the team's Media Day.

"It goes without saying I always feel like we should be winning every game and championship is always the goal, but I don’t even talk about it. I think the development of our team, and seeing where we are and seeing how we can come together - how quickly can we come together, I think that’s the most important thing. We'll see what happens.

“Obviously if we don’t win a title - we’ll get pounced on. But for us … individually as players, you’re just looking to get better and do our jobs the best we can do.

“Obviously if we don’t win the title we’ll get pounced on”

Kevin Durant talks about the expectations for the Suns this season.

Hear more from @Suns Camp https://t.co/IHMBxr3V1a…
@TermineRadio | @JumpShot8 | @KDTrey5 | @SiriusXMSports pic.twitter.com/1fEuJzoDGP
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 6, 2023

The Suns will play their first preseason game on Sunday, Oct. 8 in Detroit.