PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns are working the phones to move Kevin Durant before the NBA Draft, but their top trade targets may already be off the board.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to multiple reports, the Suns had eyes on two standout big men, Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl and Miami’s Kel’el Ware. Now that’s as potential return pieces in a Durant deal. Both centers would fill the frontcourt gaps, but neither the Raptors nor Heat appear interested in making them available.
However, new reports have indicated that neither the Heat or Raptors are willing to part with those assets. SportsNet’s Michael Grange stated that Toronto will not let go of Poeltl, as they are looking to possibility extending him this offseason. NBA insider Marc Stein confirmed the report.
Nov 29, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) defends during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Grange on Suns unable to secure Raptors Poeltl:
“The reports that the Raptors are monitoring his situation are credible and make sense, given Toronto had conversations with the Suns back in February about the possibility of a Durant trade.
“But to cut through some of the smoke: multiple sources have confirmed to me that Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl would not be part of any deal — however unlikely a Raptors-Suns deal might be — centred around Durant. The Suns were asking for Poeltl at the trade deadline and got a firm ‘no’ back then, but that hasn’t stopped them from asking, apparently.”
Apr 26, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) dribbles the basketball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) defends in the third quarter during game three for the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Stein added to the report that the Heat are firmly against putting 21-year-old Ware in a potential Durant deal. If Ware is not included the Suns would want a 1st-round pick in exchange for the rookie’s absence. With soon to be 37-year-old Durant entering the final year of his contract, Gregory doesn’t have much leverage in trade talks.
“League sources say that the Suns’ Durant discussions in recent days have likewise featured attempts to coax, say, Toronto to part with its No. 9 overall pick on Wednesday night. Or Minnesota’s No. 17 selection. Or Miami’s turn at No. 20,” Stein said.
Mar 26, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Durant has everyone’s attention around the league but no one appears willingly to meet Gregory’s demands. The NBA draft is less than a week away, so the time is ticking for the franchise to make a trade beforehand. Outlets have predicted that a Durant deal would happen in the coming days but seems to be a stalemate on multiple fronts.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
