Exclusive: Michael Coleman doesn't support Kevin Durant "globetrotting around teams", says he should have stayed with Golden State Warriors
In a four-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns acquired forwards Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren from the Brooklyn Nets. The two-time NBA champion will compete alongside Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton after the blockbuster deal.
Speaking to Reggie Roberts on Sportskeeda's "BallFather" podcast, Michael Coleman spoke about why KD shouldn't have to go to other teams. He also spoke about Kevin Durant's move to the Suns and how the remainder of the season could play out in Phoenix.
"I just think with KD being there because he's not controversial at all, he just wants to play ball. But this is just something about him, as I said, to be as great as he is. Don't be globetrotting other teams, man, you're the team. You the guy. They should be coming to you!"
"Okay, you drawing up your game plan to beat them. ... what are you going to do with Chris Paul? He'll have 20 points and 30 assists. What are you going to do with Devin Booker if he's on that night he can score 50. What are you going to do with that problem at six foot eleven DeAndre Ayton? I mean, they've got so many ways they can beat you."
Kevin Durant's move to the Golden State Warriors after blowing a 3-1 playoff lead with the Oklahoma City Thunder is still regarded as one of the most significant moves in NBA history. Durant has spent his entire career with the SuperSonics-Thunder franchise, playing alongside Russell Westbrook.
Kevin Durant's decision to join a team that already had a 'big three' was heavily scrutinized after he and the Thunder blew a 3-1 lead in the NBA Playoffs to the Warriors. The Warriors had found great success thanks to Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala. The sky was the limit with a former MVP like Durant.
After the team won two titles together, an infamous argument between Durant and Draymond Green created tension in the group. While many thought Kevin Durant ended up leaving Golden State because of the argument, the two men both cited the front office as the main reason for the fracture.
Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns, looking ahead at the rest of the season
With Kevin Durant still sidelined, it will be interesting to see how things go once he's able to make his debut with the Suns. The team currently sits in fourth place in a stacked Western Conference after surpassing the LA Clippers, who lost a double OT thriller on Friday.
With their 124-115 win over the Thunder, the Suns now sit ahead of the Clippers. From the sound of things, Durant could potentially make his debut for the Suns on Wednesday, March 1st, when the team plays the Charlotte Hornets.
Prior to going down with an injury against the Miami Heat, Durant put up some impressive numbers, averaging 29.7 points per game. In addition, he was averaging a career-high 55.9% from the field.
While this season has seen the Phoenix Suns struggle at times, adding arguably the greatest scorer of this generation into their rotation could be a game-changer. Despite that, Coleman isn't sold on the team having enough time to become true contenders in the West - although he admitted he hopes he's wrong.