Kevin Durant ‘wanted to retire in Phoenix,’ How Suns failure led to trade

An experiment unlike any other: and for perhaps the wrong reasons. When is it The Phoenix Suns traded for Kevin Durant in February 2023, it was the biggest trade for the franchise since Charles Barkley.

This also marked the largest mid-season trade in recent NBA history. But what happened after Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets in the 2025 offseason? Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

After Durant landed in Phoenix, he played only eight games due to injury. Still, his core of Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton were terrifying on paper. In those eight games, the team went 8-0.

However, they only managed to advance to the second round and lost to the eventual NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets. That offseason was a commitment to winning championships.

They traded for Bradley Beal and formed the Big 3 they had championship expectations written all over him. The trio won a combined zero playoff games and missed the playoffs entirely in 2024-25.

Before tip-off for the 2025-26 season, Durant spoke with Sports Illustrated about his true feelings about the franchise.

“I wanted to retire in Phoenix. … It’s a different atmosphere there, man. … I really had good intentions when I stepped in there,” Durant says. “The picture in your head doesn’t always come true.”

Kevin Durant and the Suns had championship expectations

Since Durant left for the Suns, everyone expected him to bring the city’s first NBA championship. They came close three times (1976, 1993, 2021) before the grim reaper arrived.

Durant and Booker had championship DNA written all over the team. Adding Beal to the mix only sealed that aspiration and reinforced that goal.

Plus, team owner Mat Ishbia was willing pass the luxury tax and in another apron. It cost them a year of draft picks and almost left them in basketball purgatory.

They had no signs of sustained success. The injuries were big, and maybe the biggest part. The Big Three rarely saw each other play together, and the chemistry showed at times.

The offensive power was there, but the defensive power…not so much. They also went through two “championship” coaches in Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer; it was the latter who missed the playoffs entirely.

Those expectations, along with a limited roster of veteran-minimum players, made life difficult, even for someone as talented as Durant.

“Everything had to work out perfectly for us in Phoenix,” Durant says. “I felt like when we played well, we could compete with anybody in the league. But great teams could make a few mistakes, and their top-to-bottom talent might mask that a little bit.

“We didn’t have that kind of margin for error. And that was a little frustrating. It’s not a bad place to be. I felt like we had a chance every night with the talent we had, but I wish we had a little more margin for error. If you turn it over here, give up a rebound — we couldn’t let that carry at all in Phoenix, so that was a yes.”

The Suns and Rockets have a lucrative deal with the Kevin Durant trade

It’s not often that a trade will benefit both parties, but it seems it already has. Durant is thriving with the Rockets and seems to be the insulation and suitcase they need.

On the other hand, The sun were able to significantly rearrange themselves around Booker. No one can replace Durant, but they have acquired players that fit the current team.

Jalen Green brings athleticism and shooting to the backcourt that can complement Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer. Dillon Brooks brings an edge the team has lacked for years.

He resembles someone like Jae Crowder, who can be that enforcer while being an effective offensive contributor.

In the end, the Suns drafted Khaman Maluach with the 10th pick acquired from Houston. The former Duke center has already made a lasting impression with his energy and enthusiasm.

Furthermore, his defensive instincts because they are such raw players without equal.

With the regular season ending in a few days, both teams will have different expectations. The Rockets will have potential championship expectations, much like they did for Durant when he was with the Suns. Phoenix, on the other hand, will be hoping to get their footing on rock rather than sinking into the sand.

If things go according to plan, this could be one of the rare victories in NBA history. But that’s an important if, and no one will know until the regular season is over.