The NBA’s trade deadline was among the craziest in league history this season, and the Phoenix Suns were very much in the thick of the action. Although Nick Richards ended up being the biggest player they added to their roster –  – it was the chatter about outgoing players that ruffled the most feathers.

Entering the final days ahead of the deadline, Kevin Durant was rumored to suddenly be available at the right price. Durant himself has already come out and addressed these rumors , but it was still surprising to see the franchise be willing to pivot so drastically from the course they’re currently on.

Their top trade target in Jimmy Butler has hit the ground running.

Prior to Durant’s name being brought up, it was Jimmy Butler who the Suns and their owner Mat Ishbia tried long and hard to get to The Valley. The main stumbling block was Bradley Beal and his no-trade clause, with the former All-Star seemingly settled in Phoenix and now happy to come off the bench for the team.

With Beal going nowhere and Devin Booker – – never going to be traded, it kind of made sense that Durant’s name could get brought up. In any event Durant stayed put, Butler added a “III” to his jersey and swapped the Miami Heat for the Golden State Warriors, and the deadline passed.

Already 2-0 since adding Butler, the Warriors are looking like a much different proposition out there. Granted the sample size is small –  – Butler mentioned how he isn’t even in NBA condition yet. Mostly he’s been out there trying to get his legs back, while also giving the ball to Stephen Curry and getting out of the way.

We’ve been here before with Butler – saying and doing all of the right things upon arrival before eventually wearing out his stay – but this is the exact attitude the Suns need right now. Although many would argue Durant is still the better player of these two star veterans, the motor and perhaps even fit of Butler in Phoenix might just edge out that of Durant.

Imagine a scenario where we all knew Booker was getting the ball to close out games, with Butler readily handing him the ball and then going about defending elite scorers himself. He’s also got that playmaking ability to step up if required as well, with Curry already going so far as to say every possession already feels easier with Butler on the team in that same New York Times piece.

Even the prospect of clashing heads with another famed competitor in Draymond Green looks wide of the mark so far. Rather, the duo at this point look more likely to push each other to greater heights in pursuit of a deep playoff run. The Suns on the other hand still look several levels below the top teams in the West, while beating those below them is hardly guaranteed each night either.

It may be that the Warriors regret adding Butler and tacking some money and years onto his current deal. In two years Durant could be gone from Phoenix – Beal too – and they could have a ton of flexibility around Booker, who will be only 30-years-old. But for now at least, it is not hard to see why the Suns were so desperate to add Butler, even if it had cost them Durant.