Phoenix Suns need to be careful about overloading Kevin Durant

Although the Phoenix Suns are one of the favorites to win the title this season, they are off to a rough start, losing three of their first five games. Former NBA champion and current analyst Channing Frye advised the Suns to be cautious with Kevin Durant, especially considering his injury history.

Frye said “Health is the most important thing. So, to me, it’s like, ‘We need to stick with it because West is a monster.'” And, ‘Are we going to beat the crap out of KD before these guys get there?’

Kevin Durant is Phoenix’s only star so far. The 13-time All-Star has contributed 27.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 53.7 percent from the field in his first five games. However, with Bradley Beal yet to play due to a back injury and Devin Booker struggling with a sprained left mid-foot ankle, Phoenix suffered a pair of losses against the young and inexperienced San Antonio Spurs.

There’s no denying that Durant is an offensive powerhouse when he’s at his best health, but the Suns need him to make a run at a championship this season. In addition, given the far-reaching changes the team made in the offseason, the team has relied heavily on Durant on both offense and defense, especially towards the end of the season. It’s safe to say that Frye was absolutely right to suggest that the Suns minimize the 35-year-old’s workload in the first few months.

Frye also emphasized that the Suns need to add a rim protector who can cover and make plays in the offensive and defensive transition. This would take the pressure off Durant to constantly create offense in the half court.

“A guy who just covers, rolls, energy, caps, can switch from the one to the five, long and lean, like Nick Claxton,” Frye said.” Players like that, you can put him on the floor and he’ll get the cap, and then put them out there on offensive and defensive switches, and they don’t need to make plays for Durant. They need to go out and get open shots for everybody else and let KD play.”

Considering the Suns’ sluggish start to the season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see owner Matt Hispia continue to make moves if the team continues the same trend.