Suns' Efforts to Rebuild After Kevin Durant Fiasco Are Paying Off

The Phoenix Suns will face Kevin Durant's Rockets on Monday at Mortgage Matchup Center. But the two-time NBA Finals MVP will not be playing in the game, according to Shams Charania, due to a family matter.

The former Suns forward will also miss Wednesday's game versus the Warriors, Charania said.

Durant won two NBA championships and departed following the 2019 season, when he signed with the Brooklyn Nets.

Durant's timing is unfortunate considering the announcement came one day before the Rockets faced the Suns, who are off to a 10-6 start and playing with a competitive spirit not seen during Durant's time with the Suns.

Phoenix did not make the NBA play-in round in Durant's final season, finishing with a 36-46 record.

“I want to put a team out there on the court that everyone is proud of,” Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia said. “It has to have an identity — an identity similar to Phoenix. Some grit, some determination, some work ethic, some grind, some joy. We just haven't had that."

The Suns traded Durant in July to the Houston Rockets, allowing both parties to move on. Durant was reportedly shopped at the trade deadline by the Suns.

Phoenix was not expected to make the playoffs by most national pundits but is currently sitting at seventh in the Western Conference standings. The Suns, who are 11-6, have more wins than Durant's Rockets (10) and are playing an exciting brand of basketball for first-year coach Jordan Ott, first-year general manager Brian Gregory and Ishbia, who promised fans a more successful season.

Durant is averaging 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field and 36.4% from 3-point range.

The former Sun averaged 26.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 52.7% from the field and 42.7% from three in Phoenix.

Houston was the No. 2 seed in the West this past season with current Suns Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.

The Suns' new team features Green, who is currently out with a right hamstring strain, and Dillon Brooks. Brooks is playing at a high level in Phoenix, averaging a career-best 21.0 points and (X) points over his last five games.

Phoenix also netted the rights to Khaman Maluach, the No. 10 pick in the NBA Draft, in the deal for Durant.

The Suns and Durant did not meet their championship aspirations as they failed to win a single playoff game with Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Beal was bought out this summer and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Now, the Suns are identifying how they can move on from the Durant-led group. "Alignment" is the buzzword for the Suns' new culture, and they are finding it without Durant's services.

Durant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, was traded to the Suns in Feb. 2023 for Cameron Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks and a 2028 pick swap. The Suns later traded for Beal to form a “Big 3.”

However, the Suns were unable to capture their elusive first championship. Durant was traded to the Rockets in July as Phoenix begins a rebuild around Booker.