Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant. Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant wouldn't hurt his legacy by leaving Suns

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 5/8/24

The Phoenix Suns were swept in the opening round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Phoenix has very few trade assets to help improve the roster during the summer. They're also a second-apron team, which further hamstrings them from re-tooling their bench unit.

As such, Kevin Durant may envision his future being away from Phoenix. In a recent episode of the "KG Certified" podcast, former NBA champions Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce discussed his current situation. They agree that Durant's legacy is already set in stone, and the final years of his career are about elevating that legacy.

"What can he play or what can he do to take it to another level, by maybe winning another championship," Pierce said. "Will that be in Phoenix? Or will it be somewhere else? Go back to Golden State? I could see that. But I would also like to see him in New York."

"If I’m Kevin Durant, this is like a critical moment. He ain’t doing nothing to hurt his legacy but he has to make a decision of how or where he can go to elevate it even more” - @paulpierce34

Ain’t no doubt about it KD is STAMPED as one of the greatest. Thing is he still got a… pic.twitter.com/yuwDjBpOg3
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) May 8, 2024

Durant was the Suns' best player this season. He will likely be named to an All-NBA team in the coming weeks and is still one of the most dominant scorers in the league. If he decides he wants to leave the Suns, he will have no shortage of options available to him. The Warriors would be the most logical move, returning to where he won both of his championships.

With two years left of his $189 million contract, the Suns have a degree of control over their star player. However, given their lack of assets, if Durant wanted to leave, they may allow him to do so if it meant restocking their cupboard and re-tooling the roster.

Whatever Durant decides, his legacy as one of the best forwards in history is set. As Pierce said, these final few years are about building on that legacy.

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