In addition to being a two-time NBA champion and the league MVP, Kevin Durant is undoubtedly one of the best pure scorers of all time.

But following the Minnesota Timberwolves’ four-game sweep, Durant and the Phoenix Suns’ season came to an abrupt end. The 35-year-old Durant made his most appearances since the 2018–19 season with 75 regular-season games.

Even though Durant averaged 27.1 points per game this season, the Suns did not experience the same level of success that he had grown used to while winning championships with the Golden State Warriors. Suns general manager James Jones stated that the team is still committed to being the “first team” to figure out how to “maximize” the NBA star in spite of the team’s dismal finish to the campaign.

When asked whether the team had properly utilized Kevin Durant’s talent during the 2023–24 season, Jones said to reporters on Wednesday, “I tell you, that’s a constant focus for us to continue to figure out how to maximize Kevin Durant.”

“It hasn’t been done yet. We can make the most of our entire roster if we can maximize him, which is why I think we’ll be the first club to do it. Although we are a stronger team, it is not a problem. Kevin, in my opinion, had an outstanding offensive season this year. Although we are a stronger team, it is not a problem. Kevin, in my opinion, had an outstanding offensive season this year.”

As everyone tried to be on the same page, Jones continued, time was just not on the Suns’ side.

“I believe that this year was one of his best professional periods. Therefore, it wasn’t offensive. It has nothing to do with usage or utilisation. All that was required was determining the best time, location, and method of doing it together. We were unable to reach a consensus. Time ran out for us.”

Durant was an NBA Finals MVP twice and led the league in scoring four times, in addition to winning two titles with the Warriors and the 2014 MVP award. Given Durant’s extensive record of accomplishments with other clubs, Jones’ latest remarks were a little confusing.

14-time NBA All-StarStar did perform well during the Brooklyn Nets’ 2021 playoff run, but he hasn’t made it back to the NBA Finals since leaving Golden State. In the postseason, he scored 34.3 points per game on average.

In a sensational trade that took place in February 2023, the Suns acquired Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. Throughout the 2022–23 season, he played in just eight games for Phoenix due to an ankle ailment.

Since Durant moved to the Arizona desert, the Suns have failed to make it past the second round of the playoffs and have never won an NBA championship.