There has been yet another report that the Phoenix Suns will not be moving on from Kevin Durant this offseason.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Ahead of tonight’s 2024 NBA Draft, The Athletic NBA insider Shams Charania said that the 11-time All-NBA forward will remain with the Suns until next season despite the Houston Rockets reportedly trying to trade for him.
“I’m told the Suns are not trading Kevin Durant. There is a zero percent chance, I’m told, that the Suns move Kevin Durant this offseason,” Charnaia reported on Stadium’s NBA Draft show. I repeat: A zero percent chance. They want to see this big three of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal healthy and on the floor under (new coach) Mike Budenholzer.”
Discussing the Suns and Kevin Durant on @Stadium NBA Draft Live show: https://t.co/qCCZdun3db
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2024
Charania’s report follows Suns owner Mat Ishbia’s post on X today about that seemingly shut them all the Durant trade rumors down.
NBA Draft night is the best. Everyone talking about the drama and storylines, some are right and some are just wrong.
My turn. Phoenix loves Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant loves Phoenix, and we are competing for a championship this year because we have the team to do it. Gotta…— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) June 26, 2024
“I am reporting here: Pay no attention to what Phoenix is saying, they want out of Kevin Durant right now,” Smith said.
.@stephenasmith reports that the Suns "want out of Kevin Durant right now."
"Pay no attention to what Phoenix is saying. They want out of Kevin Durant right now. … Houston doesn't want Kevin Durant, Ime Udoka may want him. … Their plans are more long-range." pic.twitter.com/JpuJDdNWPj
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 26, 2024
Ishbia’s first move as owner of the Suns was acquiring Durant, along with T.J. Warren, from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029) and a 2028 pick swap in Feb. 2023.
Last night, the Rockets acquired most of these picks.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Rockets want to trade for Durant last night. Houston traded multiple picks to the Nets in this deal and now owns a pick swap with Suns in 2025, the Suns’ pick in 2027 and could end up with the Suns’ pick in 2029 based on contingencies.
The implications of the Rockets landing the Suns' picks? Houston wants to trade for Kevin Durant and that becomes far easier if they can return the Suns' picks that they gave up in the Durant deal to the Nets. Suns have said they're keeping Durant for now, but that could change…
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
Multiple reports had already refuted that Durant will be traded this summer. General manager and president of basketball operations James Jones has already said the Suns won’t be trading any of the team’s Big 3 of Durant, Devin Booker or Bradley Beal this offseason.
Durant’s agent and business partner Rich Kleiman posted this on Instagram in response to the reports:
(via @CGBBURNER/X)
Kevin Durants agent, Rich Kleinman, calls cap on the Rockets wanting to trade for KD.
Woj spreading false rumors around Kevin Durant yet again smh pic.twitter.com/7I6HnC1QOr
— CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) June 26, 2024
Durant, who will be 36 at the start of next season, has two years left on his four-year, $194.2 million contract. He is also eligible for a one-year extension this offseason.
The Suns own the No. 22 overall pick in tonight’s draft.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
