By far the biggest decision the Phoenix Suns made this offseason was deciding to once again build the entire franchise around Devin Booker. The 28-year-old bang in his prime, having also received a two-year, $145 million contract extension to call The Valley home for the rest of the decade. That's a massive commitment by both franchise and star player, and the pressure is now on to see progress.
This also meant the departure of both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, although the latter isn't exactly going to be missed in Phoenix. He's now with the L.A. Clippers, and it's a case of just forgetting the Suns ever game up Chris Paul for one of the few players in the league with a no-trade clause. Durant's departure however - even after a 36 win season - stings that bit more.
Alperen Sengun understands the value of adding Durant.
Durant's new teammate with the Houston Rockets - Turkish international Alperen Sengun - was on for an entertaining interview with Socrates Dergi, and naturally Durant's name eventually came up. Prior to this happening Sengun had been speaking highly about Jalen Green, the main player Phoenix got in return for the 36-year-old.
Sengun and Green were part of the same draft class in 2021 and were taken by the same franchise, so there is naturally a bond there. It is clear Sengun is going to miss Green, but on Durant's arrival in place of Green he bluntly responded "I was very sad, but at the same time, Kevin Durant is coming".
In one sentence this tells you everything you need to know about the direction both franchises are heading in moving forward. Fans in Phoenix might be content to cheer for a younger and scrappier team that at least tries defensively - something we did not see during Durant's two full seasons with the Suns - but let's see how long that enthusiasm lasts.
It is hard for a younger generation of fans to remember - but prior to Booker's arrival - there wasn't much to cheer about at Footprint Center. The Suns are a smaller market team who don't generally attract big name free agents either, but Durant's arrival changed all of that. For him to leave again signals an end to contending while the Rockets look set to go on a deep playoff run.
This isn't on Durant either, as he held up his end of the bargain in heading to Phoenix and being the elite scorer he's always been. The front office didn't do a great job of surrounding himself and Booker with the right talent (see Beal, Bradley), whereas the Rockets look primed for success as they've kept their best young players while adding the 36-year-old.
Sengun understands - much like the Suns once did - that if you've got Kevin Durant, then you've got a chance to win big. Even if that means saying goodbye to somebody in Green who he clearly views as a friend in this league. There aren't many guys you can say that about in the NBA today, and the Suns lost one of them this summer.