“Fresh” and “new”– these two have been the words coming out of the Phoenix Suns’ camp during the preseason. With Kevin Durant and Co. getting ready for the season under the new regime of Mike Budenholzer, the excitement around the franchise is different after the playoffs disappointment of 2023/24. The 5 Cs of the Suns preseason camp, Connectivity, Continuity, Confidence, Camaraderie, and Cohesiveness are the fundamentals to bring in a 6th C and that’s the Championship.

These apply to not only them but any sporting organization in the world and the NFL teams are no exception. With the NFL season in full swing, the fans are waiting for a high-octane clash between the NY Jets and the Minnesota Vikings, and as things look, Kevin Durant is also throwing himself into the buzz with his new-found role with FanDuel.  

KD shared a post of Kay Adams on X where the two are seen talking about the NFL odds on Up & Adams. When the host asked the 36-year-old to predict the passing touchdowns for Aaron Rodgers, he replied 2+. The commentator went for “60+ rushing yards” for Aaron Jones. As it came to receiving yards for Justin Jefferson, Durant thought for two seconds before answering, “I’m going 80+.” On the other hand, Adams went 60+ for Jets’ Breece Hall’s receiving yards as well.

Advertising the episode, the enthusiastic Suns forward wrote on X, “Let’s see what Rodgers & Jettas got this week.” Besides betting on NFL games, Kevin Durant is engrossed in getting back into shape before hitting the hardwood again. The 14x All-Star has taken a keen interest in the Suns’ new acquisitions. He is looking forward to sharing the stage with the Suns’ latest signing, Tyus Jones.

With the $3 million point guard joining Phoenix on a one-year contract, Grayson Allen’s chances of appearing in the starting lineup have reduced. Jones would be giving support to the defense, as well as helping Bradley Beal and Devin Booker.

Following his training session, KD was asked about having Tyus Jones in the guard position, which would make the backcourt heavy. The 2-time NBA champion said, “3 guys that can handle the ball, bring the ball up, be able to make plays off the dribble. Shoot the basketball as well, it’s always good having multiple guys who can do those things.”

Despite Tyus Jones’ inclusion, Grayson Allen’s offseason transformation has created a notable dilemma in the camp, with the guard looking like a brick wall after his dedication in the gym. That’s only a good thing for the Suns going into the next season as Kevin Durant turns his attention to the dos and don’ts for the team.

Kevin Durant brings attention to the Suns’ focus in the upcoming season

The immediate question following the Suns’ playoff exit last season was surrounding Kevin Durant’s future. But despite minor murmurs, there was really nothing about the Slim Reaper moving on from Arizona. Now, with another season ahead, KD looked laser-focused on his pursuit of success and he made himself clear about what the team must avoid. “I think turnovers are the emphasis,” he stated during an interview on Wednesday at the Verizon 5G Performance Center.

“I think with a year to get on the same page, it’s been a focus since our first meeting with Coach Bud (Budenholzer),” Kevin Durant added. “It’s just nipping that in the bud, making sure we make the correct play and not try to hit home runs all the time. Sometimes you can try to make the right play and end up turning the ball over. So, you want to try to find that balance.”

The fans would hope that the Suns will be able to apply the same to their performance. They have a well-built roster on paper with the three, Booker, Beal, and Jones, taking turns handling the ball while Durant racks up the numbers. A glimpse of how the combination works can be seen in the preseason games with the first of them coming on Oct 6 against conference rivals, the Lakers.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.