The 2024-25 season was considered horrible for the Phoenix Suns. They missed the playoffs and play-in match regardless of having All-Stars in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
That disappointing outcome led to the choice to fireside head coach Mike Budenholzer after only one yr.
Now, the Suns are usually not solely trying to find one other new head coach this offseason, however they’re additionally seeking to commerce Kevin Durant, who has one yr remaining on his contract.
The 2-time champion will earn $54.7 million subsequent season whereas nonetheless sustaining celebrity caliber efficiency with 26.6 factors, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists this previous season.
With stories about his potential transfer rising louder, a number of groups emerge as excellent locations for Durant.
Houston Rockets at the moment management three of the Suns’ subsequent 4 first-round picks, making them a pure commerce accomplice. The Rockets additionally possess a bundle of intriguing younger gamers and salary-matching instruments.
Jalen Inexperienced and Alperen Sengun are incomes vital cash as a part of the crew’s younger core. Houston might embrace veterans like Dillon Brooks or Fred VanVleet, with the group in a position to choose up his crew possibility and embrace him in an expiring deal.
This represents a helpful situation for either side. Durant’s scoring prowess might present the Rockets with offensive firepower wanted to enhance their younger core and make a deep playoff run following their first-round elimination in opposition to Golden State this season.
For the Suns, they may select between younger expertise or veterans to stay aggressive for at the very least play-in rivalry, assuming Devin Booker stays.
Regardless of being 36, Durant stays one of many NBA’s only scorers with 52.7% taking pictures final season. Pairing him with rising star Anthony Edwards might elevate Minnesota to critical championship rivalry.
Executing such a commerce would require the Timberwolves to navigate wage cap constraints. Potential commerce property might embrace gamers like Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, or Julius Randle, together with future draft picks.
Durant and Edwards developed robust rapport throughout their Workforce USA expertise, with Edwards reportedly viewing Durant as a mentor.
The New York Knicks, following their commendable Japanese Convention Finals run, are positioned to make a major leap.
Buying Durant and pairing him with Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges might create a formidable trio able to contending with the league’s elite.
To match Durant’s substantial wage, New York would want to incorporate vital property in any commerce package deal. One proposed situation includes sending Karl-Anthony Cities to Phoenix in change for Durant.
This transfer would fulfill wage necessities whereas offering the Suns with a youthful star to construct round, whereas permitting the Knicks to maneuver on from a participant many seen as problematic throughout their playoff defensive struggles.
