Suns' schedule drop confirms when Kevin Durant trade wound will be reopened

The Slim Reaper is coming.
Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Phoenix Suns fans now know when Kevin Durant will make his return to PHX Arena for the first time since the June trade that sent him to Houston in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. That date will be on Monday, Nov. 24, one of nine Suns games that will be nationally televised.

Things between Durant and the Suns ended amicably. It wasn't an ugly breakup that started before the trade deadline when Phoenix engaged in talks with Golden State centered around KD. The superstar forward expressed that he didn't want to be traded midseason, and the Suns respected that.

Durant's camp and Phoenix worked together to find a trade partner before the draft. The Suns wanted a pick, and KD wanted to compete for a title. Both sides got their wishes granted, except Durant lucked out far more than Phoenix.

The Suns could've gotten more in return for KD, even though he'll turn 37 next month. His value isn't what it was two and a half years ago when they traded for him, but still. He's on an expiring contract, but he's still Kevin Durant. He has at least two to three more years of high-level play left in him.

Instead, all Phoenix got in return was a former lottery pick that didn't turn into the player Houston thought he would, a player who loves to be the villain, and a 19-year-old who isn't NBA-ready. The feeling of regret will hit like a ton of bricks when KD lights the Suns up with his new squad.

Kevin Durant will return to Phoenix to play the Suns on Nov. 24

Durant and Houston will be on a mission all season long, and that mission will be to be the best team in the West. The Rockets finished with the second-best record in the conference last season, but flamed out in the first round against the Warriors. They addressed their need for a true No. 1 scoring option by acquiring one of the best scorers in the history of the game.

Watching KD and Houston on their quest for a championship will remind Phoenix fans of how things should've gone with the Suns. Remember the good old days when everyone thought Phoenix would win the title with Durant and Devin Booker? Those times were short-lived.

If you're thinking about booing Durant when he's in town, direct that anger to Mat Ishbia instead.