Kevin Durant Frustrated with Usage in Phoenix Before Rockets Move

Kevin Durant's tenure with the Phoenix Suns was marked by frustration and underutilization, leading to a disappointing team performance and his eventual trade to the Houston Rockets. Former teammate Vasilije Micic highlighted Durant's surprise at how little he was used in Phoenix despite his high-level basketball vision and work ethic, noting Durant's protective body language and his openness to conversation. Durant himself expressed dissatisfaction with the Suns' playing style, wanting teammates to focus more on spot-up shooting rather than midrange attempts, and reportedly clashed with coach Mike Budenholzer. The Suns' failure to integrate Durant effectively, despite assembling a 'Big 3' with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, contributed to their 36-46 record and missing the playoffs. Moving to Houston, Durant reunites with coach Ime Udoka, who is expected to better utilize his talents, a move that even Shaquille O'Neal now views as potentially special despite previous criticism of Durant's past decisions. Overall, Durant's Phoenix stint is widely seen as a mismatch between his skillset and the team's strategy, underscoring the challenges of roster and coaching dynamics in achieving NBA success.