The Phoenix Suns’ 2024 NBA playoff run ended early with an Anthony Edwards-Minnesota Timberwolves first-round sweep. Of course, fans and analysts are questioning star forward Kevin Durant’s status with Phoenix along with his basketball legacy. Former Celtics star Paul Pierce provided an optimistic take on Durant’s legacy amid his postseason struggles.
Pierce does not believe Durant is doing anything wrong by playing for the Suns. However, he must find a way to enhance his all-time standing after four straight early playoff exits.
“If I’m Kevin Durant, this is like a critical moment. He ain’t doing nothing to hurt his legacy but he has has to make a decision of how or where he can go to elevate it even more,” Pierce told Kevin Garnett via All the Smoke Productions.
“He’s set in stone, one of the greatest already. But where can he go and where can he play, what can he do to take it to another level by maybe winning another championship? Is that going to be in Phoenix? Or is that going to be somewhere else?” Pierce added.
Paul Pierce believes Durant must find a way to elevate his team to true title contention or join another team to increase his chances. The former Celtics star could see Durant going back to the Bay to play with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett likes the idea of Durant going back to New York. There, he could join the rapidly rising Knicks instead of reuniting with the Brooklyn Nets. Both former Celtics have a point, but as Pierce briefly mentioned, Durant must first see if he can make things work with the Suns.
Phoenix has plenty of talent and is just a tweak away from getting back to the top of the NBA.
How can Suns, Kevin Durant bounce back for 2024-25?
Kevin Durant trade rumors erupted after Phoenix’s 4-0 series loss to the Timberwolves. The Suns have not been able to escape the second round of the playoffs since Durant joined the team in 2023. Thus, many believe he could want to play elsewhere, just as he desired when things did not work out on the Nets.
However, the Suns have no plans of moving Durant in the offseason, per insight from ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel. They are committed to improving the team around their trio of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. So, how can the stars overcome the hump in the West?
The answer could lie in a change in the center position.
Jusuf Nurkic is a serviceable big man who can rebound and get needed interior points. He averaged a healthy double-double of 10.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in 2023-24. Yet, the Suns should consider going for a center who is a true rim protector.
Phoenix needs someone to be a defensive anchor to compensate for Durant, Booker, and Beal’s focus on offense.
Nets center Nic Claxton would be a great fit for Phoenix. He has been top-10 in blocks for the past two regular seasons. In addition, he has chemistry with Durant from their shared time in Brooklyn. The main issue with Claxton is his unrestricted free agency. He is expected to command a contract in the $20 million per year range.
It is no secret the Suns are paying their stars a hefty load, but if they can ship off enough assets to make the money work, they could find the solution to their problems in Claxton.
All in all, Kevin Durant’s legacy is honorable and has the opportunity to grow. As Celtics legend Paul Pierce alluded, the two-time champion has to find a way to take his current or future team to the next level to further rise the all-time rankings.
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