The Phoenix Suns have entered what is sure to be a decade-defining summer for the franchise, and it looked like it had gotten off to the right start. The franchise honing in on their next head coach, with one of Johnnie Bryant or Jordan Ott - both assistants with the Cleveland Cavaliers - the finalists for the job.
Having Devin Booker be part of the process was even more positive, as was ensuring current assistant David Fizdale didn't get the top job either. With a new General Manager in Brian Gregory also learning the ropes during this time, it is important that the Suns continue to make the right decisions after a couple of terrible seasons.
Asking price for Kevin Durant worryingly continues to slide.
The next - and in some ways most - important piece of business to attend to once a head coach has been hired will be what to do with Kevin Durant. Most expect the 36-year-old to once again be on the move this offseason, with rumors picking up in recent weeks about just where his next stop is going to be. Safe to say, we have outside the box thoughts on that one.
But according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the asking price for Durant is not trending in the right direction as we prepare for a manic offseason. According to Iko the "Houston (Rockets) have fielded several calls from Phoenix, who have since gradually lowered their asking price for Durant." That is not the update you're hoping for if you're a Suns' fan.
Iko also goes on to say that the Suns are hoping to regain their number 10 pick in this year's draft - which the Rockets are currently in control of - in order to give themselves an injection of youth and more roster flexibility moving forward. The Rockets also remain cautious of breaking up a group that is clearly on the rise, and all for a star who has passed his prime.
Yet there could still be a happy middle ground here that suits everybody. Durant would get to go back to Texas - where he played his college ball - and he'd be joining a rising power that right now surely has a better trajectory than the Suns. From the perspective of the Rockets, they would get the kind of player they needed most in the playoffs this season. A closer.
The Suns could also collect some draft capital plus the young players who are on the fringes of the Rockets' roster, so as to not take away from what they are building. You can obviously forget Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, but Cam Whitmore and Jabari Smith Jr. could intrigue. Fred VanVleet might have to be in the trade to make the money work, but would that be a bad thing?
Phoenix needs a point guard - the Tyus Jones experiment flamed out badly - while they could also even enquire about Reed Sheppard. The inclusion of Tari Eason could actually be a deal breaker - he could yet take on the Alex Caruso or Aaron Nesmith role in Houston - because he looks like he is part of the Rockets' exciting future.
So although the price going downwards is a concern - when it comes to the Rockets at least - there are still enough young players and picks there to get somewhat excited about. Make no mistake though - no matter what Durant ultimately gets dealt for - there are many who are going to feel the return was underwhelming for an all-time great.