The Phoenix Suns are anticipated to commerce Kevin Durant this offseason, and the Houston Rockets are their most well-liked goal.
The Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant are anticipated to half methods this offseason, with Durant being second to Giannis Antetokounmpo as essentially the most sought-after celebrity available on the market, though, not like Antetokounmpo, Durant was placed on the commerce block earlier than final season’s deadline.
At 36 years previous, with just one season left on his contract and an intensive damage historical past, the Suns are unlikely to get the same haul for Durant as what they paid for him.
In 2023, the Suns despatched Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and 5 first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Durant and have only one playoff sequence win to point out for it.
Phoenix is predicted to demand three picks and a single younger participant, in addition to matching wage, for Durant, however they may need to be versatile and take a lesser supply.
The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as locations for Durant, though the Houston Rockets have lengthy been his anticipated touchdown spot.
Durant’s match with the Rockets is clear, though he doesn’t completely match their timeline. Nonetheless, they have been the second-best regular-season group within the Western Convention, and including Durant will bolster their title hopes.
That stated, they don’t seem to be focused on promoting the farm for a star previous his prime.
“For the reason that conclusion of the season, Houston has fielded a number of calls from Phoenix, who’ve since regularly lowered their asking worth for Durant,” reported The Athletic’s Kelly Iko.
“There’s a worth the place the Rockets would have an interest, however with a worry of breaking apart their roster for a 36-year-old coming off damage, doubt stays over a deal materializing.”
In principle, the Suns may supply Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Inexperienced, Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, and loads of draft picks for Durant, though the fact for Phoenix is probably going getting just one or two of these gamers and a small return of draft picks.
The Suns, hopefully, perceive that they won’t be able to compete for a title subsequent season and might want to take a number of seasons to rebuild round Devin Booker.
With Bradley Beal beneath contract for 2 extra seasons, the Suns are severely restricted within the strikes they’ll make in free company, and with the Nets and Rockets proudly owning the overwhelming majority of their future draft capital, present process a youth motion appears unlikely.
The 2025 NBA Draft is predicted to be one of many higher lessons lately, though the Suns don’t personal their very own decide and can solely choose twenty ninth, through Cleveland.
The Rockets, then again, will use the Suns’ tenth total decide to bolster their younger core, and the Suns have their sights set on getting that decide again.
“Phoenix is aggressive in pursuit of a) buying and selling Kevin Durant and b) regaining full management of their draft capital beginning with the No. 10 decide in subsequent month’s draft, group sources stated,” Iko continued.
Whereas Houston would favor so as to add Booker in a commerce, there isn’t any indication that the Suns will store him, and so they may quit the tenth decide and minimal different property to land Durant in a blockbuster offseason transfer.
