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Kevin Durant's Statement on Ex-Grizzlies Player Who Joined Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns made some important roster moves this NBA offseason.

Joey Linn

USA basketball player Kevin Durant talks to the media during a press conference.
USA basketball player Kevin Durant talks to the media during a press conference. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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The Phoenix Suns were one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA last season. With three stars in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, the Suns were expected to make a deep run in the Western Conference.

Swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, Phoenix was unable to win a single postseason game with their star trio. This made the need for roster changes extremely clear, and Phoenix made some this offseason.

One of the moves Phoenix made was to bring in former Memphis Grizzlies point guard Tyus Jones. It was a one-year, $3.3M deal that Jones signed with Phoenix after spending last season with the Washington Wizards.

Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Suns star Kevin Durant was asked about the Jones addition.

“I just think he helped the overall team get better,” Durant said. “Another guy that can make plays and control the offense. Who has done it in this league for a while now. Another guy that can command the offense, command the team.”

Jones spent four seasons with the Grizzlies where he appeared in 288 games (60 starts), averaging 8.3 points and 4.5 assists. While many viewed Jones as one of the top NBA free agents this summer, he joined Phoenix on a team-friendly deal.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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