PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns have mismanaged as bad as a team can in the past two months. The franchise made it a public auction on every single player on the roster during NBA trade season. The Suns tried to dump Bradley Beal’s massive contract to any team with phones. Once they realized that teams had zero interest, Phoenix knew it needed to pivot and decided that the only option was to trade its superstar small forward Kevin Durant. An idea that it didn’t discuss with the main person involved in the trade, Durant, which caught him extremely off guard. The Suns had a godfather offer from the Golden State Warriors for Durant, but he shot it down.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!After failing to make a trade at the deadline and ruining its relationship with the roster, the Suns are stuck at 30-34 and well above the second apron. Phoenix is $400 million committed to a roster that is the 11th seed and doesn’t have its own 1st round picks until 2032. General Manager James Jones and owner Mat Ishbia are running out of options to fix the roster, with the only viable choice trading superstar forward Kevin Durant for a massive haul.
Mar 4, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) is introduced before facing the LA Clippers at PHX Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Suns ideal haul for Durant:
According to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic, the ideal deal for the Suns in a Durant trade would be three first-round picks and a young player in a multi-team deal. The goal is to recoup some draft equity while getting under the second apron.
Durant’s career with the Suns is a mixed bag. In Phoenix, the 15-time All-Star is 80-54 in the regular season. However, injuries and the acquisition of Bradley Beal have harmed the present and future of the franchise. While 36 years old, Durant is still an elite player, averaging 26.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 52.9 shooting this year.
Jan 16, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
Regardless of his production, the Suns are out of options, as Beal’s no-trade clause has made trading the three-time All-Star impossible. Durant is due $54.7 million in the final year of his contract in the 2025-2026 season.
If Phoenix is able to get their ideal package back for Durant it would be a massive aid to its dire cap situation and draft equity.
Suns injury report: Beal out again with calf injury vs Grizzlies
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
