Following an active offseason, the Phoenix Suns initiated the 2023-24 season on a positive note, securing a 108-104 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Suns’ superstar Kevin Durant, who contributed 18 points against his former team, expressed his excitement about the team’s direction after their first road win of the season. Durant acknowledged the talent on the roster and emphasized the importance of bringing it all together, highlighting the team’s promising start and commitment to detail. He also revealed his role in providing input on personnel decisions during the offseason, underscoring his dedication to the team’s success.

“I like the identity we’re building, I like the days we’ve been stacking,” Durant mentioned to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports after the victory. “We’ve got talent. That’s half the battle in sports is to have the talent. Now, it’s on us to put it together. I’m excited about the talent being bought in. I like what we’re doing, and the attention to detail. We’ve got a good start, we just gotta see how it goes.”

As one of the title favorites with the fourth-best odds to win the 2024 NBA championship, the Phoenix Suns are not only known for their talent but also their impressive depth. This depth was evident in their victory over the Warriors, where role players like Josh Okogie, Eric Gordon, and Jusuf Nurkic played pivotal roles alongside stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Durant, known for his on-court focus, acknowledged his active involvement in the team’s offseason personnel decisions, working closely with key figures such as Mat Ishbia, Josh Bartelstein, James Jones, and Frank Vogel to contribute his insights and recommendations.

“Yeah, I got to know Mat Ishbia more, to know Josh [Bartelstein, Suns CEO] and James [Jones, Suns general manager] and then once Frank [Vogel, head coach] came on and get to know him, as well,” Durant added. “I just want to be aware of making decisions, who should be on the team, I give my suggestions and input and hopefully they take it in and value my opinion. But if they don’t, I still come to work and do my job.”