DURANT’S DILEMMA! Suns Demand Massive Haul in Blockbuster Trade Talks
The Phoenix Suns will be a busy team this offseason. After failing to make a big splash at this year’s trade deadline, the franchise is stuck at 30-34 and well above the second apron. Phoenix is in purgatory with $400 committed to a roster that is the 11th seed and doesn’t have its own picks until 2032. General Manager James Jones and owner Mat Ishbia are running out of options to fix the roster, with the only viable choice trading superstar forward Kevin Durant for a massive haul.
The Suns ideal haul for Durant:
According to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic, the ideal deal for the Suns in a Durant trade would be three first-round picks and a young player in a multi-team deal. The goal is to recoup some draft equity while getting under the second apron.
Durant’s career with the Suns is a mixed bag. In Phoenix, the 15-time All-Star is 80-54 in the regular season. However, injuries and the acquisition of Bradley Beal have harmed the present and future of the franchise. While 36 years old, Durant is still an elite player, averaging 26.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 52.9 shooting this year.
Regardless of his production, the Suns are out of options, as Beal’s no-trade clause has made trading the three-time All-Star impossible. Durant is due $54.7 million in the final year of his contract in the 2025-2026 season.
If Suns are able to get their ideal package back for Durant it would be a massive aid to its dire cap situation and draft equity.
