Head coach Tyronn Lue and the Los Angeles Clippers know that they’ll have to compete with superstar Kevin Durant for the foreseeable future.
Durant was acquired by the conference rival Phoenix Suns from the Brooklyn Nets ahead of last week’s NBA trade deadline. It is considered one of the biggest blockbusters in the modern history of the Association.
Durant now joins a core group in Phoenix that includes stud two-guard Devin Booker and fellow future Hall of Famer Chris Paul in the backcourt.
While it’s too early to conclude that this is the latest iteration of an NBA super team, there has to be some major concern from rival Western Conference squads.
Speaking to the media ahead of his team’s game against the aforementioned Suns on Thursday, Lue was asked what he thought about the Suns now boasting Durant, Booker and Paul. His reaction was pretty hilarious. “I don’t want to think about it,” Tyronn Lue told reporters.
As the former head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lue also told reporters that the Suns remind him of the Kevin Durant-led Golden State Warriors teams that also boasted Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The only difference for Lue is the fact that Paul is “a little older now.”
Phoenix exhausted a ton of assets to bring in Durant. That included stud young forwards Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson as well as four future unprotected first-round picks. It was certainly a win-now move under new owner Mat Ishbia. Whether it works out remains to be seen.
Related: Winners and losers from Kevin Durant trade
Kevin Durant set to make debut with Phoenix Suns after All-Star Break
Durant had his introductory press conference with the Suns on Thursday, showing some emotion about his ill-fated four-year tenure in Brooklyn.
The backdrop here is Durant’s current knee injury that has sidelined him since back on Jan. 8. The two-time NBA Finals MVP told reporters that he hopes to be back soon after this weekend’s All-Star Break.
Phoenix finishes up the so-called first half of its schedule Thursday night against the Clippers. It sits at 32-27 on the season and as the fourth seed in the Western Conference after some struggles to open the campaign. Obviously, getting Durant back to make his debut soon after the break would be a boon.
- Kevin Durant stats (2022-23): 29.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.3 APG, 56% field goal, 38% 3-point
Looking at the Suns’ post-break schedule, they open up against Durant’s former Oklahoma City Thunder team at home on Feb. 24. Phoenix then heads for a four-game road Trip with outings against the Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks before another home outing against Oklahoma City.
As for Tyronn Lue and the Clippers, they are just a half game behind Phoenix in the Western Conference. The team added a ton of reinforcements to the mix ahead of last week’s deadline, too.