PHOENIX — Shams Charania, ESPN senior NBA insider, went on the Pat McAfee show this afternoon to discuss how likely it is that Kevin Durant will be traded from the Phoenix Suns.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Charania mentions Suns’ owner Mat Ishbia and how much he’s spent on the team. “We’ve seen from Mat Ishbia, the last two and a half years, how aggressive he’s been,” Charania said. “He has not spared any expenses.”
Mar 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) leaves the court after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
He then mentions how, as an owner, Ishbia is not afraid to do what is necessary to bring a championship to the valley, explaining why he went after Durant.
With Durant and Bradley Beal, another addition to the team in 2023, joining Devin Booker, they are an on-paper all-star team. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out.
Mar 21, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) look on against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
“There’s going to be changes coming to Phoenix, barring a miracle finish to the year,” Charania explains. “There’s going to be a lot that [The Suns] are going to have to look at and evaluate throughout the whole organization. But from a roster perspective, that’s going to start with Kevin Durant.”
At the trade deadline, many teams and Durant himself had mutual interest in a trade, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and the Houston Rockets. Charania expects these teams to have the same interests following the season.
“The biggest thing to keep an eye on for all NBA fans and fans of those teams, ‘How does your team finish in the playoffs?'” Charania concludes. “That’s really going to determine who feels like they’re a Kevin Durant away.”
“Kevin Durant could definitely be traded this offseason..
It just hasn’t worked out for this Suns team..
There was mutual interest at the trade deadline with Golden State, Minnesota, New York, Houston, Miami, and San Antonio” ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/5h4cLSmRub
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 2, 2025
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
