Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant on team’s defense in win over Cavaliers
Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin and Greg Moore discuss Kevin Durant’s answer about his defense in win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Suns are looking for draft picks and players who can contribute immediately.
Go ahead and change “if” to “will” when it comes to the Phoenix Suns trading Kevin Durant this summer.
They entertained offers before the 2025 NBA trade deadline.
He remains one of the game’s best players and has always been in high demand.
The Suns haven’t had the envisioned success with Durant in his two full seasons with them. Devin Booker is the franchise player. Moving him is highly unlikely and Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause.
There’s the ESPN report the Suns will work with the superstar forward and his agent, Rich Kleiman, on finding a landing spot in a deal.
Only four things remain in question: When will it happen, which teams will be involved, what else could the Suns give up along with Durant and who/what will the Suns get in return?
As far as draft picks, Phoenix can trade a pick now and two the night of the draft (June 25-26). They have the 29th overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft.
Here are five teams to consider as trade partners with the Suns for Durant.
Why the Rockets: They’ve been on the list in large part because they have three first-round picks that once belonged to Phoenix but were part of the original Durant trade, starting with the 10th overall selection in the 2025 draft.
Houston coach Ime Udoka is a fan of Durant, as the two were together in Brooklyn.
The Athletic’s Kelly Iko is reporting the Suns have remained in contact with the Rockets, which are lowering their price for the two-time finals MVP.
The Rockets may not be interested in breaking up their young core after having the second-best record in the Western Conference, but losing in the first round to Golden State in part because they lacked a true closer may lead to them considering Durant for that role.
The Suns should ask for those draft picks for Durant. As far as players, landing Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. in a trade would give the Suns two Day 1 starters to pair up with Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and a big man.
Why the T-Wolves: The Timberwolves’ franchise player, Anthony Edwards, has said many times that Kevin Durant is his all-time favorite player.
Want to keep Edwards happy? Team him up with Durant. That’s one.
Two, Minnesota has reached the conference finals two straight years, but it folded in five games in the conference finals to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024 and the Oklahoma City Thunder this year. The T-Wolves have a great team, but like the Rockets, they need a closer.
Look, draft picks are a given when it comes to what the Suns would want in return for Durant, but say they dangle rookie Ryan Dunn into a deal. Phoenix could possibly get Rudy Gobert to address that center position and some young talent like Rob Dillingham or Jaylen Clark.
Why the Knicks: After all, they just reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1999, but the Knicks also fired their head coach, Tom Thibodeau.
Knicks general manager Leon Rose followed that up with a very telling statement in a tweet about the decision.
“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans.”
Anything is fair game when it’s championship-or-bust. Plus, ESPN is reporting the Knicks made an offer for Durant before the trade deadline.
Having Durant, a two-time finals MVP and all-time great, could certainly improve New York’s chances of bringing an NBA title back to Gotham for the first time since 1973.
If Phoenix could figure out a way in a three- or four-team deal to land Karl-Anthony Towns to pair up with his close friend and University of Kentucky bro, Booker, that’d be insane.
Suns fans also would take Mikal Bridges back in a heartbeat.
Why the Pistons: Detroit may be closer to competing for a championship than anyone realizes.
The Pistons have an established style of play that’s gritty and physical. Cade Cunningham has taken that next step to become a first-time All-Star and All-NBA selection.
J.B. Bickerstaff is an underrated coach. The Pistons have very good to solid players, but they need another elite talent like Durant.
Landing Ausar Thompson would be a welcome addition to Phoenix. He’s young, athletic, defends and is only going to improve offensively.
Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey, who is working his way back from a broken left fibula, also could help the Suns.
San Antonio Spurs
Seems unfair to have Durant suited up with Victor Wembanyama, but the Spurs have draft capital the Suns need.
The Spurs shouldn’t even consider yielding that second overall pick in the 2025 draft, not even for Durant, but the 14th overall selection could work.
A trade would put Durant near Austin, a second home to him, where he spent one special season at the University of Texas.
In return, Devin Vassell is an ideal wing who could give the Suns versatility. Can’t have enough wing players. Harrison Barnes is a little older at 33, but he’s still a productive NBA player.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.