After the Phoenix Suns’ disappointing 2024–25 campaign, moving Kevin Durant, who hinted at wanting a change of scenery, became the franchise’s top priority this offseason. They, of course, wanted decent returns for the trade too. A few days ago, they traded Durant to the Houston Rockets. But now, Stephen A. Smith pretty strongly feels that they’ve made a blunder.
Advertisement
The Suns got six draft picks — along with Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green — in exchange for Durant. The restructured Suns front office, headed by newly hired General Manager Brian Gregory, then traded their No. 29 pick, Liam McNeely, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Mark Williams.
Yes, they have already given away one of the Draft picks they got in the Durant trade to bring Williams to the Valley. Smith went ballistic while discussing this move during ESPN‘s live coverage of the Draft from the Barclays Center in New York.
The NBA analyst was half bewildered and half furious. After finally getting some ‘assets’ for Durant, he couldn’t believe the Suns turned around and gave away a first-round pick for no good reason.
“Respectfully, what on earth are the Phoenix Suns doing giving up a first-round pick in 2029 for Mark Williams? This is the same dude that the Lakers were looking to acquire and supposedly failed a physical,” Smith reminded viewers.
SAS was talking about the Hornets’ failed trade with Los Angeles before the deadline. “Why would you give it away for Mark Williams?” He asked again.
Smith then wondered why the Suns even gave up Durant, a future Hall of Famer. “Here’s the bottom line. If you’re the Phoenix Suns, one of the reasons you made the deal to move Kevin Durant was to acquire assets. You’re supposed to hold on to them,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
From Phoenix’s perspective, there was a reason for targeting the big man. Heading into the draft, they were clearly looking for size.
The Suns had the worst rebounding margin in the league last season and got mauled inside. Their frontcourt was held together with duct tape and prayer, both when Jusuf Nurkic was in the rotation and after he was traded.
So yes, they needed size. And they got it twice. Phoenix acquired 7-foot-1 Williams from Charlotte and 7-foot-2 Khaman Maluach from South Sudan, who was the 10th pick in the Draft.
But Smith isn’t buying the logic. “You don’t give up a first-round pick if you’re Phoenix! No! No!” he shouted one last time, before the segment cut to break. Smith was loud, unfiltered, and on brand.
To be clear, the pick Phoenix gave up is the least favorable among Cleveland, Utah, and Minnesota’s 2029 first-rounders. They have also protected 1–5. The Hornets, meanwhile, walked away with two first-rounders and a chance to reset.
Williams gets a fresh start in the desert, and Maluach joins him as part of the Suns’ frontcourt. Only time will tell if SAS is right about Phoenix fumbling their rebuild.
