Kevin Durant Returns to Phoenix as a Rocket, Says He’s “Pretty Much Over” His Suns Exit
Kevin Durant finally made his highly anticipated return to Phoenix — and he did it with four games left on the NBA’s regular-season calendar. The former Suns star, now suiting up for the Houston Rockets, addressed the media at Tuesday’s shootaround, speaking publicly in the Valley for the first time since being traded away last June.
The matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets was nationally televised, carrying layers of drama and storyline. Durant had missed Houston’s first visit to Phoenix back in November due to a personal matter, making Tuesday’s game the long-awaited reunion that fans, analysts, and former teammates had been circling on their calendars.
Durant Reflects on His Time in Phoenix
When Durant was first dealt to Houston, he didn’t hold back. He said he felt “booted out of the building and scapegoated,” and admitted it hurt deeply because of how much he had invested emotionally in the Suns organization and the Arizona community. But three months later, his tone had visibly shifted.
“I’m pretty much over it,” Durant said Tuesday. “At the time, it was tough to take. A place I wanted to be and keep building but it’s the business of the league. I was sour early on but I think I’ve gotten over it.”
He was equally straightforward when asked about sentimental feelings walking back into the arena. “There’s not much sentimental value between me and this place,” he admitted, adding that while he genuinely loved living in Phoenix, his stint there was simply too short to carry heavy emotional weight.
It’s hard to argue with that assessment. Durant’s tenure in Phoenix produced one playoff series win — achieved the year he arrived mid-season. The Suns posted an 85-60 record during his time on the roster, a number that flattered a team whose quality of play was often inconsistent and whose postseason results were disappointing.
Houston’s Struggles Signal Familiar Problems for Durant
Durant also acknowledged leaving no lasting mark in Phoenix — something that clearly stings for a player who prides himself on impacting every organization he joins. “There’s nothing really big or significant,” he said. “I wasn’t here long enough to really feel like I left a mark here.”
As expected, Durant was ready to embrace whatever reaction the Phoenix crowd had in store. Boos were almost certainly coming, and a player of his experience and temperament was unlikely to be fazed. He had already hit a game-winner against the Suns earlier this season in Houston, gesturing toward the Phoenix bench after the buzzer.
Meanwhile, the Rockets came into Tuesday sitting at 49-29, sandwiched between third and sixth in the Western Conference standings. On paper, Houston had the look of a legitimate Western Conference threat this season. In reality, the Rockets have struggled to sustain the identity that head coach Ime Udoka built during his first year — one defined by toughness, defensive grit, and competitive fire.
Several factors have contributed to Houston’s inconsistency. Starting point guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL before the season even began, disrupting offensive flow from day one. Then center Steven Adams underwent season-ending ankle surgery mid-year, gutting a historic offensive rebounding operation that had elevated an otherwise average offense into one of the league’s better units. The drop was stark — from fourth in offensive rating pre-injury to 14th afterward.
Young stars Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun are posting career numbers statistically, yet both appear strangely out of rhythm compared to last season. Udoka has publicly called out his team’s engagement levels multiple times this year, and those comments have yet to produce a meaningful turnaround. The Rockets have looked listless in stretches — a troubling sight for a squad that built its brand on relentless effort.
The clutch-time numbers are damning. Houston went 26-18 in clutch games last season with a -0.9 net rating. This year, those figures have deteriorated to 21-22 with a brutal -9.2 net rating — precisely the area Durant was brought in to fix.
Durant himself, at 37 years old, has continued to produce at an elite level. His 25.9 points per game represent his lowest scoring average in nearly a decade, but his efficiency remains otherworldly — 51.9% from the field, 41% from three, and 87.7% from the free-throw line. The on-off numbers also confirm he’s still making Houston better. The Rockets post a 5.5 net rating with Durant on the court, which drops to 2.7 when he sits.
Off the court, speculation swirled earlier this season about a supposed burner social media account linked to Durant, allegedly containing unflattering messages about teammates and former organizations. The account was never confirmed as his, but the timing — just before the All-Star break — and the optics created undeniable noise around the locker room.
From Houston’s front office perspective, the trade still appears defensible in structure. The Rockets moved off Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green — players they weren’t prioritizing long-term over Sengun, Thompson, and Tari Eason — while acquiring a proven star who can extend the competitive window. If Durant’s contract runs its course without deep playoff success, Houston still retains its core young players entering their mid-20s.
But the playoffs are where Durant’s impact in Houston will truly be measured. Last year, the Rockets were bounced in embarrassing fashion by the seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors, their offense completely breaking down under pressure. Durant was supposed to be the antidote. Whether he delivers that remedy — particularly against potential first-round matchups with the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, or a Lakers squad navigating injuries — will define how this chapter of his career is ultimately written.