The Phoenix Suns are hovering around NBA Play-In Tournament contention with three players who are all making at least $49 million this season. That said, could Kevin Durant be obtained for the right price?
Before the trade deadline on February 6, the Suns are reportedly “listening” to offers for the superstar, even though a trade is reportedly unlikely. Durant, 36, is still playing at a high level; this season, he averaged 26.9 points per game and shot 52.5/40.5/82.7. No one in the sport scores as effectively as Durant. He is capable of forcing the ball to the rim, shooting off the dribble, and playing alone. On a contender, Durant can still be the top scorer or at least the first baseman.
Just two years after sending a haul to the Brooklyn Nets to make him the face of their team, it seems crazy that the Suns would trade Durant, who is currently in the third season of a four-year, $194 million contract, to them. But so did the notion that De’Aaron Fox and Zach LaVine were engaged in the same transaction, and not directly exchanged for one other, and that the Dallas Mavericks sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. In this sport, virtually anything may happen.
These are Durant’s top three trading destinations.
You probably didn’t think the Heat would be one of the teams. Jimmy Butler wants a new home, and the Heat want to find him one. However, they are still together as of right now, so it’s likely that the Heat will receive poor trade offers for Butler. Instead, how about the Heat trade for Durant, trying to make a final run at a championship? Miami could send Durant and cash considerations to Phoenix with Nikola Jović, Kel’el Ware, Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier, and two future first-round draft picks. The Suns would get two intriguing rookie deals in Jovic and Ware, future draft capital, and possibly more picks by moving Robinson and/or Rozier.
Durant would be quite the improvement for a franchise that has dipped its toes into the star trade waters but come up short of late (e.g. Damian Lillard in 2023). A formidable foursome of players capable of handling the ball would be formed by Durant, Butler, Tyler Herro, who was named a first-time All-Star, and Bam Adebayo. The majority of that group would be able to score frequently on their own and shoulder a heavy scoring load. These players have a wealth of postseason experience as well.
