Phoenix Suns Star Kevin Durant Entangled in Trade Speculation Yet Again

Despite assurances from the Phoenix Suns’ front office, Kevin Durant remains a fixture in trade discussions. CBS Sports analyst Sam Quinn recently listed 75 players who could be attractive trade targets this offseason, placing Durant in a category of stars unlikely to move but worth a call.

Quinn explained the reasoning behind his suggestion: “The Suns were knocked out in the first round, changed coaches, and have next to no roster maneuverability this offseason thanks to the second apron. Durant has sought new teams for far less in the past. The Suns seem determined to keep trying with this group, but if someone throws enough their way for Durant, they’d have to at least consider breaking up a team that did not meaningfully contend last season.”

This speculation persists despite Suns’ GM James Jones affirming that none of the team’s “big three” are on the trading block this summer. This stance was reinforced by the hiring of Mike Budenholzer as the new head coach, signaling a commitment to the current roster.

While the Suns fell short of expectations in the 2023-24 season, they showed promise late in the regular season. The team’s potential under new leadership and a few roster adjustments remains high.

Moreover, the Suns invested significantly in acquiring Durant from the Brooklyn Nets just 16 months ago, making it impractical to abandon the project so soon. Durant’s history of team changes has led to a “mercenary” narrative, but Phoenix offers a more stable environment than his previous teams.

With no stars genuinely available for trade, and considering Durant’s own career prospects, moving to another team is not necessarily a better option. Nonetheless, the trade rumors are likely to follow Durant throughout his career, whether fair or not.

As the Suns, led by governor Mat Ishbia, look to improve their roster, they focus on the upcoming NBA draft on June 26 and the start of free agency negotiations on June 30. The team is determined to make strides and build on the progress shown towards the end of last season.