Kevin Durant extension proves Suns right to trade him away

The Phoenix Suns might not be in the public eye much this coming season as they enter a rebuilding phase, but thanks to Netflix's "Starting Five" show, they are getting one more outing in the sun. One of the five players the second season of the popular programme is following is none other than Kevin Durant, during his final campaign in The Valley last season.

Durant comes across like he always has, and it is no wonder he remains such a popular - but also enigmatic - figure. He just wants to hoop and clearly loves the game, while he also enjoys getting into it with people online too. Really, he's just like us. The only real difference being, he's perhaps the best offensive player in league history.

Houston extension proves it was time for Suns to move on from Durant.

Another key difference is how much the now 37-year-old is paid to play the game of basketball, and his overall career earnings just took another bump north. The Houston Rockets - to the surprise of nobody - signing Durant to a two-year, $90 million extension before ever playing a regular season game with the franchise.

Although that figure is actually quite reasonable given Durant's continued productivity, it is further proof that the Suns were right to trade him when they did. Let's not forget that - although they could have brought him back for similar money if he was still in Phoenix - the Suns were already miles into the second apron when he was in town.

This would have meant doubling down on the tandem of Durant and Devin Booker, even with Bradley Beal still being bought out and heading to the L.A. Clippers. We already know how that story ends, and the franchise also wouldn't have been able to trade for center Mark Williams, or draft lottery prospect Khaman Maluach.

All of which is to say, a rebuild around 28-year-old Booker was needed here. If the Suns were a clear playoff team who had won a couple of series when Durant was with the team, then they would look foolish right now for allowing the Rockets to sign him to the deal that they should have. Only that didn't happen, with the Suns failing to even make the play-in last season.

Instead the organization is quickly building a defensive-first mentality, personified by Dillon Brooks needing six stitches above his eye after a scrimmage. Already major media outlets believe this team can be even better than last season - and although that might not come to pass - the Durant era had run its course in Phoenix.