The Phoenix Suns versus Houston Rockets matchup is underway in Toyota Center. With Dillon Brooks absent for tonight along with Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Jalen Green both featured in the starting lineup. What makes this extra special is that these two rising stars, along with OKC star Chet Holmgren, had the opportunity to work out with Kevin Durant this summer.

Talking to KD before the tip-off, Vannessa Richardson of the Space City Home Network (regional sports network of Houston) reported the veteran’s opinions of the younger players. Durant said that both Green and Smith are highly talented youngsters.

Kevin Durant gives props to Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr.

He also provided valuable pointers to overcome the struggles Jalen Green is facing now. Quoting KD, Richardson said that all Green needs to do is change the “mentality, seeing the game slower, timing and scoring.” Durant also mentioned that “as they get experience, talented guys learn when to score”.

It certainly looked like Durant’s belief wasn’t in vain. Green is in second place with 23 points in tonight’s game. Just one point less than the lead scorer, Alperen Sengun (24). His mentor for the summer, on the other hand, had a splendid night. He moved up on the All-Time assists list for the 92nd position with 4,420 career assists. That’s not all!

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The ‘Slim Reaper’ already had his double-double (10 points and 10 assists) in the first half. KD finished the matchup with a triple-double, 27 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds in 41 minutes of game time. Even with such stats, there is a need to address the elephant in the room.

Will the Suns be looking at a possible KD exit?

The Suns had hoped to rewrite their history with the arrival of Kevin Durant. While the 35-year-old forward has been a consistent presence in a largely injury-prone Phoenix, his frustration with an “underwhelming support cast” has been spoken of in many circles.

Read More: “Do You Want To Become KD”: Joel Embiid Gives Brutally Honest Advice to NBA Rookie Victor Wembanyama

Most recently, it was brought into perspective by Adrian Wojnarowski. He had said in the NBA Countdown show that many people in the organization can “feel the frustration with Durant“.

While it has since been the hot topic for many articles and reposts, KD’s frustrations seem to be with Woj. The next day, Durant responded to ESPN’s senior writer via Instagram, which was deleted later. Durant had reportedly written, “Woj says somebody else ‘feels’ that I’m frustrated and it turned into me being mentally checked out. This s— crazy, these people can flat out lie on my name and make sh*t up and you people will believe it but when my teammates n coaches speak on how I am as a teammate, u ignore it lol.”

This should be enough to squash the rumor mill. But it is a mill for a reason. The comments will keep spinning and spinning. In the rare event that it does happen, the Rockets can come forward as a potential suitor. With the young roster that they boast, Houston has a lot to offer the Suns. Not to mention, a significant amount of picks.

Hopefully, things won’t come to that and Durant will not be forced to repeat history. What do you think of KD’s response? Will he continue with the Suns Big 3 or move out if an opportunity opens up?

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