Does the Kevin Durant trade make Phoenix Suns favorites for NBA title? Exploring Suns’ odds of landing a championship

Kevin Durant would make any NBA staff stable if not nice. Teaming up with Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton in Phoenix makes the Suns legit title contenders.

Durant is at the moment out with a proper MCL sprain. Earlier than the unlucky damage, he was placing up one other MVP-level season. He averaged 29.7 factors, on 55.9% capturing from the sector, together with 37.6% from behind the arc.

KD is one other lights out shooter who can ease the burden on Devin Booker to attain. “CP3” could have a dream job operating performs for 2 of the NBA’s deadliest scoring machines.

In final season’s embarrassing elimination by the hands of the Dallas Mavericks, the Phoenix Suns had been outmatched when Devin Booker had an off-night. When “Book” couldn’t get his shots to fall, the Suns completely disappeared in Game 7 in front of their fans.

Monty Williams’ squad had the perfect report within the NBA final season, however was uncovered within the playoffs. Aside from Booker, Phoenix did not have a constant weapon to go to, significantly in crunch time.

Kevin Durant solves that downside and extra. Durant’s presence alone forces defenses to take him into consideration. Any pick-and-roll motion involving the two-time NBA Finals MVP might be a ache to cope with.

Defenders fixing a Durant-Paul two-man motion or a Durant-Booker pick-and-roll might be in a quandary always. Just a few groups with the proper personnel might have a constant resolution to resolve the issues they current.

Kevin Durant makes the Phoenix Suns’ beginning 5 arguably the perfect within the NBA

Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton are in all probability the perfect four-man group within the NBA. They’ve playmaking, capturing, protection and playoff expertise, although the staff may miss Mikal Bridges, who might be becoming a member of the Brooklyn Nets.

Torrey Craig, who might be inserted into the beginning 5 to interchange Bridges, wouldn’t be too dangerous. Craig is averaging 7.9 factors, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 53 video games. Extra importantly, he’s capturing 40.9% from behind the arc, which is able to solely make the Suns’ beginning unit deadlier from the perimeter.

Aside from Deandre Ayton, Monty Williams’ starters might be counted on to punish opponents from lengthy vary. The lineup gives a ton of house for Kevin Durant and Devin Booker to weave their magic.

Durant, on most nights, is a strolling mismatch. Having Booker alongside KD and permitting Chris Paul to run the performs might be a coach’s dream.

Monty Williams’ job might be to ensure the bench has sufficient juice to present the starters a breather.

Nonetheless, when rotations are quick, as is the case in any playoff sequence, the Phoenix Suns, with the addition of Durant, are going to be powerful to beat.

Kevin Durant may change the staff’s title hopes. The Phoenix Suns had been at the very least +1800 to win the 2023 championship. That determine is about to considerably change as soon as oddsmakers modify to the influence of Durant’s commerce to the Suns.

You may additionally wish to learn: Kevin Durant to Phoenix Suns reportedly confirmed: Terms, winners and losers of the trade