The chance for Chris Paul to compete for a championship seemed to fade away following the Suns‘ exit in the playoffs last year. However, this opportunity has reignited with the acquisition of Kevin Durant during the trade deadline, as shared by Nick Friedell of ESPN. The revamped Suns squad, led by Durant, now stands as a formidable force in the competitive Western Conference.
The veteran point guard, aged 37, will orchestrate an offense that showcases the talents of Durant, who was showcasing an MVP-worthy performance before his injury, alongside Devin Booker, who was a strong contender in last season’s MVP race. Paul recognizes that there will be a transitioning period to adapt to this new setup, expressing his excitement and gratitude towards the prospects ahead. He conveyed his disbelief and joy as he witnessed Durant seated on the team’s bench during Tuesday night’s game.
“I’m familiar with KD, you know what I mean?” Paul remarked. “We’ve had conversations for years, trained together, and so on. It’s incredible. Everything falls into place for a reason. KD is like family. Hence, getting the chance to team up with him in this new scenario has left me thrilled and thankful for this chance.”
Here are more updates from Phoenix:
- During a podcast appearance with Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports, Jock Landale highlighted how Durant’s inclusion has energized the entire team. “Players are buzzing with excitement over ‘Wow, I’m playing with Kevin Durant now! I need to elevate my game!’” Landale remarked. “Hence, the standards have risen significantly, a crucial development for our aspirations to clinch the championship this season.”
- After finalizing a buyout with Orlando, Terrence Ross participated in his first practice session with the Suns today, as reported by Bourguet in atweet. Ross confirmed speculations that he opted for Phoenix over Dallas after detailed discussions with President of Basketball Operations James (Jones) and Head Coach Monty (Williams). Ross committed to a minimum-salary agreement with the Suns, sealing the deal.
- Cameron Payne, who has been absent since January 4 due to a foot injury, targets his comeback date on February 24, aligning with the Suns’ initial game after the All-Star hiatus, as per Bourguet’s update in atweet.
- Former Suns proprietor Robert Sarver will be rewarding numerous team staff with $20K bonuses and plans to donate $5MM to the team’s charitable causes, as outlined by Baxter Holmes of ESPN.
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