7 Basketball Players who Played for Suns and Warriors
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Suns and the Warriors.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant was selected second overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder). He quickly became the face of the franchise, earning several NBA scoring titles and leading the team to the NBA Finals in 2012.
In 2016, Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors. During his time with the Warriors, Durant won two NBA championships in 2017 and 2018 and was named the NBA Finals MVP both times. In 2019, he left for the Brooklyn Nets. However, he missed the entire 2019-2020 season due to an Achilles injury he suffered in the 2019 NBA Finals.
Over his career, Durant has averaged 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He’s also a multiple-time All-Star and has been named to several All-NBA teams.
*Durant has previously been the most popular pick for this square (Grid 9)
Durant Key Stats
- Rookie of the Year (Thunder)
- All-NBA (Thunder, Warriors, Nets)
- All-Star (Thunder, Warriors, Nets)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Thunder, Warriors, Nets)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Thunder, Warriors, Nets)
Jason Richardson
Jason Richardson is remembered by most for his incredible athleticism, particularly his dunking ability. He was selected 5th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2001 NBA Draft.
Richardson spent the first six seasons of his career with the Warriors, where he became a fan favorite due to his high-flying dunks and scoring ability. He twice won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2002 and 2003, showcasing his athleticism on the national stage.
Richardson also had successful stints with the Bobcats, Suns, Magic, and 76ers throughout his 14-year career. His best statistical season came in 2005-2006 with the Warriors, where he averaged 23.2 points per game. He was particularly known for his three-point shooting, finishing his career with over 1600 made threes.
Richardson Key Stats
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Warriors, Hornets)
Jermaine O’Neal
Jermaine O’Neal is most recognized for his time with the Indiana Pacers. A versatile center and power forward, O’Neal’s career spanned 18 seasons from 1996 to 2014, during which he played for multiple teams, including the Trail Blazers, Heat, Celtics, Suns, and Warriors.
Selected directly out of high school by the Trail Blazers in the 1996 NBA Draft, O’Neal spent his initial seasons in a limited role. However, upon being traded to the Pacers, he flourished and became a key player, earning six All-Star selections and being named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2001-02 season.
O’Neal’s prime years in Indiana were marked by consistent scoring and rebounding, as well as a robust defensive presence that earned him multiple All-NBA nods. Despite the individual accolades, team success eluded O’Neal, as the Pacers made several playoff appearances but never reached the NBA Finals during his tenure.
O’Neal Key Stats
- All NBA (Pacers)
- All-Star (Pacers)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Pacers)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Pacers)
Kelly Oubre Jr
Kelly Oubre Jr. is an NBA forward known for his scoring ability, athleticism, and defensive capabilities. After a single season playing college basketball at the University of Kansas, he was selected 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2015 NBA Draft but was subsequently traded to the Washington Wizards.
With the Wizards, Oubre Jr. developed his skills and became a valuable player off the bench, often bringing energy and tenacity. After his tenure in Washington, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2018, where he had the opportunity to expand his role and showcase his offensive talents more prominently.
In 2020, Oubre Jr. was traded to the Warriors. With Golden State, he was tasked with contributing significantly on both ends of the floor, especially in the absence of some of the team’s key players due to injuries. He has spent the last two seasons with the Hornets and averaged the highest PPG of his career with 20.3 last year.
Ish Smith
Ish Smith was drafted as the 17th pick in the second round of the 2010 NBA Development League Draft by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Though he went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft, he made his NBA debut later that year with the Houston Rockets.
Primarily known as a journeyman point guard and a valuable role player, Smith’s quickness and ability to distribute the ball have been his standout attributes.
Over his NBA career, Smith has played for an incredible 13 different teams, including the Grizzlies, Warriors, Magic, 76ers, Pistons, Wizards, Hornets and Pistons (and that’s barely over half!).
Smith Key Stats
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (76ers, Pelicans, Pistons, Wizards)
Jamal Crawford
Jamal Crawford is widely regarded as one of the best sixth men in NBA history, thanks to his uncanny scoring ability and flair for the dramatic. Over the course of his lengthy career, Crawford played for several teams, leaving an indelible mark with his unique ball-handling skills and clutch shot-making ability.
Crawford was a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner, a feat only a handful of players have achieved. Though he bounced around the league, some of his most memorable moments came during his stints with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Atlanta Hawks.
Whether it was scoring 50+ points in a game with multiple franchises or breaking defenders’ ankles with his signature crossover, Crawford’s style and prowess have made him a fan favorite wherever he’s played.
Jim Jackson
Jim Jackson entered the NBA when he was selected 4th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1992 NBA Draft.
In Dallas, he quickly showcased his scoring prowess, becoming one of the young pillars of the team alongside Jason Kidd and Jamal Mashburn. However, despite the promise, the trio was short-lived due to various factors, including injuries and internal dynamics.
What followed for Jackson was a journeyman’s career, as he played for 12 different NBA teams, which included stints with the 76ers, Warriors, Trail Blazers, and Rockets, among others. Despite the frequent relocations, Jackson consistently proved his worth on the court, often providing a scoring punch and veteran presence.
Jackson Key Stats
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Mavericks)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Nets, Warriors)
