“It Was So Sad”: 25YO Suns Star Unravels ‘Scary’ Downside of Kevin Durant Trade

Two seasons ago, the headlines went wild. The Brooklyn Nets were disgruntled and disorganized. No one knew if they would be a part of the squad. Tensions were raised. Rumors about a potential Kevin Durant trade happening were spreading. The last day of the trade deadline rolled, and a cloud of confusion floated over Brooklyn fans. Finally, the news was announced – KD was going to the Valley.

Chris Paul, the veteran point guard who led the Phoenix Suns to the Finals alongside Devin Booker was shown the exit doors. Almost instantly, Phoenix had the most lethal scoring tandem in the league. The move was a shock to the league. For some moments, everyone froze, almost in disbelief at the news. However, it wasn’t just the fans who experienced the crazy turn of events.

Players on the Suns were at a dinner in Atlanta when they found out. One of the team’s guards – Josh Okogie recently spoke about his immediate reaction upon finding out Durant was heading to the Suns. It was a nerve-racking experience for him.

Okogie had to make sure he was not traded for Kevin Durant

On the recent episode of Club 520, they invited the 6’4″ Suns starlet to the show. After dwelling on Okogie’s hop journey, they asked him about the infamous Kevin Durant trade. Breaking down his experience, he said the entire team was at dinner in Atlanta. It was the last day of the trade deadline, so there was obvious anxiety amongst the roster for any last-minute moves. At that very moment. Okogie got a call from his agent. Luckily, it wasn’t about any trade, but he admits to being ‘scared’.

Later at the dinner, he remembers his phone flooding with notifications. ‘Phoenix Suns acquired Kevin Durant’ read the news. Okogie was unsure of his place in the team now. “I’m like ‘Who did the other team acquire?’. So I called my agent, make sure I’m still straight. He’s like ‘Yeah, you still there for now’.” 

Then the details came out. Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder were part of the trade. Suddenly, the dinner became gloomy. “It was so sad because if you know anything about Phoenix basketball, you can’t say Phoenix basketball without Mikel and Cam because they called them the twins. They still call them twins. The epitome of Phoenix basketball,” said Okogie.

The 25-year-old remembers having one last ‘kumbaya’ with his teammates in the hallway. He noticed Bridges and Johnson both being especially sad. The duo was a critical part of the roster. Bridges had become a phenomenal stretch forward. Johnson was a sharpshooter on the rise. The Suns had to lose to win a KD. But somehow it was mutually beneficial.

The Suns failed that season. But carrying the championship potential, they were able to acquire Bradley Beal in the offseason. The trio have been sensational when playing together, and the Suns are threats to any top contenders right now.

Bridges instantly took over the franchise reins in Brooklyn. His offensive gifts were released. He averaged a career-best 26.1 points per game with the Nets. Cameron Johnson also had his best scoring output. The Nets are now viewed as underdogs. They are young and hopeful, everything a rebuilding side can hope to have. Okogie remains a vital piece of the Suns.

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All in all, it was a win-win for everyone involved. Each is thriving at their new stations. What else could one ask for?

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