With things appearing to be going downhill for Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns, several notable figures in the basketball community have begun sharing their perspectives.
Isaiah Thomas, a former NBA star who spent two seasons with the Suns, weighed in on his former team’s struggles. Taking to social media, Thomas made an interesting proclamation about the impact of trade rumors on the team’s chemistry.
Isaiah Thomas Claims Trade Discussions Involving Kevin Durant Hurt the Suns’ Chemistry
With multiple stars on max contracts—such as Devin Booker and Bradley Beal—the Suns’ underwhelming performance this season has drawn heavy criticism.
The team has been involved in trade discussions throughout the season, and at one point, many believed Jimmy Butler would join Phoenix. Having spent time around numerous locker rooms in his career, Thomas suggested that the ongoing trade rumors have negatively impacted the Suns’ chemistry.
After reports about a possible Durant trade went viral, Thomas pointed out that the speculation accomplished nothing but disrupt the locker room’s energy.
“All that trade talk killed any good energy they had smh.”
All that trade talk killed any good energy they had smh
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) March 3, 2025
As it stands, Durant’s Suns hold a 28-33 record. Sitting five games below .500 in a competitive Western Conference, their chances of making the playoffs are slim. They currently trail the Dallas Mavericks by four games for the 10th seed—the final spot in the play-in tournament.
Despite their struggles, the Suns still have enough talent to turn things around. If they can string together wins down the stretch, they could secure a spot in the play-in tournament and fight for a postseason berth.
For the Suns to make a late-season push, they must clear the air and prevent outside distractions—such as trade rumors—from derailing their focus. That starts and ends with Durant, who will need to be fully committed to finishing the season strong.
