Kevin Durant’s whirlwind journey through the NBA has added another chapter. This time with a heartfelt goodbye to the Phoenix Suns and an eager embrace of what lies ahead in Houston.
Following the official completion of a blockbuster seven-team trade that sent him to the Rockets, Durant took to social media to reflect on his time in the Valley and express gratitude to those who shaped his experience.
“My time in Phoenix has come to an end,” Durant wrote. “All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way. Remember it’s a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space, work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players.”
Durant’s message wasn’t just a standard farewell, it was a window into the often-overlooked relationships that define a player’s time with a franchise. From support staff to “teammates’ distant cousins,” as he put it, Durant acknowledged the broader community that surrounds NBA life.
“It’s all a family that I’m grateful to be a part of, no matter what,” he added. “I truly believe this NBA is one big community. Much love to Arizona. Houston, Can’t Wait!”
Durant’s tenure in Phoenix lasted just over two seasons, marked by flashes of brilliance and persistent frustration. Injuries and chemistry issues plagued the Suns’ Big Three experiment with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, and the team failed to make a deep playoff run during Durant’s stay. Still, he averaged 26.6 points per game last season and reached the 30,000-point milestone, becoming just the eighth player in NBA history to do so.
The Suns, for their part, responded with appreciation. General manager Brian Gregory called Durant “one of the greatest to ever play the game” and thanked him for his impact on the organization and community.
Now, Durant joins a rising Rockets squad that’s hungry for postseason success. With a young core led by Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Şengün, Houston is betting that Durant’s experience and scoring prowess can elevate them into true contention. For Durant, it’s another opportunity to chase a championship, and perhaps, to write a final, triumphant act in a storied career.
