What issues can Phoenix Suns face after acquiring Kevin Durant from Brooklyn Nets?
A trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns answered a lot of questions with regards to the team's quest to win the title. However, Durant's arrival at the Suns has also opened up new problems that need to be addressed if they are serious about accomplishing their goal.
The Suns could possibly have a different system as soon as Durant becomes available to play for the team. Phoenix lost their best perimeter defender after Mikal Bridges was included in the trade package for KD. With that, the Suns could ramp up their offense this season.
Additionally, the Suns lack firepower from their second unit. After trading Jae Crowder and Cameron Johnson, their bench is looking thin. Luckily for them, they recently signed veteran swingman Terrence Ross after his contract was bought out by the Orlando Magic. Would that addition be enough to push them to the next level?
Former NBA player Kenny Smith shared what problems the Suns could encounter after acquiring the 13-time All-Star.
"A great piece, that one individual, when he comes to your team, he’s going to learn your system, he’s going to learn what the other guys are doing and he’s the only one who is going to be challenged to figure out things. When you have a great player like Kevin Durant come in, you’re changing your offense."
"So 12 people are going to be learning what Kevin can do. It’s not the opposite. The chemistry could be short-changed because of that. That’s the negative to that when you have a great player."
Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller differ on Phoenix Suns' postseason hopes this season with Kevin Durant (w/videos) #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral
"You might lose four or five games and now you become a fifth seed or seventh seed instead of a third seed with the way the West is and that could be the difference between winning a championship this year or not."
Terrence Ross is available for tomorrow's game against the Clippers. Kevin Durant (right MCL sprain), Cam Payne (right foot sprain) and Landry Shamet (right foot soreness) remain out
Also read: When will Kevin Durant play his first game for Phoenix Suns? Predicting 3 games for his return
The Suns' season depend heavily on the health of Kevin Durant, according to Reggie Miller
Kevin Durant isn't the same player he used to be, in terms of health. He wasn't prone to injury before and could always be counted on by his team whenever he was needed. However, that all changed when he suffered an Achilles injury back in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
"If these dudes are all healthy, you’ve got to almost say they’re the favorite in the West... You’d have to say they’d be favorites to win if everyone is healthy because of their talent, experience."
"If I had any questions going forward, those three guys (Durant, Booker and Paul) are fantastic, but I know they all can’t play 48 minutes and you need to have some type of supporting cast that are going to tread water while these guys get a break"
His health has been a huge factor in how his teams have performed. According to Hall of Fame player Reggie Miller, depending on their stars could be their biggest weakness.
Also read: Deandre Ayton “speechless” about Phoenix Suns acquiring Kevin Durant: “Ain’t that something?”