The Phoenix Suns Olympic duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have thus far been unable to penetrate the West’s best in their time together. Following success in Paris and another full training camp together, will the duo propel the Suns deep into the playoffs?
Phoenix Suns Olympic Duo to Break Through the West Finally
Suns Olympic Duo Missing the Mark
Suffice it to say, it’s been a tough go for Durant and Booker together on the Suns. The pair accomplished winning a gold medal in this summer’s Paris Olympics. Even more so, both Durant and Booker played exceptionally well.
However, the success both players revelled in this summer does not mirror their success as teammates in Phoenix. Since the Suns traded for Durant during the 2022-23 season, the team has not reached further than the second round. Blame mainly was placed on poor roster construction, and deservedly so. Additionally, Bradley Beal‘s diminished play and injuries also contributed.
Last season, Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves proved too much for the Suns, and concerns surrounding the long-term impact of the Suns Olympic duo have aired. Durant was also rumored to be looking for a way out following the close to last season, but those rumors were neither confirmed nor denied by the two-time Finals MVP. Conversations in the media also discussed whether Phoenix should move on from Durant, but he remains with Phoenix. As it stands today, the Suns are moving forward with their Olympic duo intact and run it back once more. Will it work? Time will tell. The West is just as congested and competitive as it was last year.
Will the Suns Shine in the West?
The Timberwolves, Thunder, and Nuggets aren’t projected to have a drop-off next season. Instead, expect at least the Timberwolves and Thunder to be even better while the Nuggets still hold to the team to beat in the West. Dallas and Sacramento each made worthy offseason additions in Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan. Both LA teams are hit-and-miss. As for the Warriors, it’s hard to look favorably on them, even with Steph Curry leading the way.
Where the Suns fit into this mess is difficult to pinpoint at this time. But if there is ever a time for Phoenix to take that leap that they envisioned when trading for Durant, it’s this season. Booker might be the most important reason for this. Booker played a massive role on Team USA. For most of the Olympic Games, he beat out Jayson Tatum as the team’s regular starter alongside LeBron James, Durant, Curry, and Joel Embiid. While Durant was awesome, Booker accepted and exceeded his role—a sentiment Steve Kerr shared after winning gold. Booker shot well from three, produced offensively, and was outstanding on defense. The overall experience affected Booker, and the hope is that he will take that winning experience and usher it into the new NBA season.
Durant & Booker are Enough to Compete for Title
The accomplishments of this summer should have a lingering impact on the Suns Olympic duo going into their second full season together. Durant has shown no signs of slowing down and can score the basketball whenever he so desires. As for Booker, he has the ability to dominate any game and can go off and score 50 on any given night. Do the Suns still have depth and roster concerns? Yes. Beal’s health will also be a factor.
However, I feel a change coming the Suns way, and a brighter future. It shouldn’t be surprising if come the playoffs, the Suns and their Olympic duo are right in the thick of things. What else wouldn’t be suprising? Watching the Suns break through the Western Conference and finding themselves competing for a title. This team, led by its two superstars, is fully capable of doing exactly that.
