The Phoenix Suns look poised to trade Kevin Durant this offseason, so many teams are openly pursuing a superstar, but it’s not a shock if an unknown team landed him to solidify his title hopes.
Kevin Durant is almost guaranteed to be traded this offseason, with the Phoenix Suns openly shopping for the superstar.
Durant listed the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Houston Rockets as their favourite destinations, but his tenure in Phoenix was not decorated enough to demand a specific landing spot. Instead, the Sun is expected to simply trade him for the best bidder.
Among those suitors are the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Toronto Raptors, but there is a possibility that a surprise team with well-known owners will be involved.
Steve Ballmer has been trying to incorporate a competitive roster for a long time since purchasing the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014. The Clippers finished as the fifth seed of the Western Conference last season, with Kawi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell and Evikasback looking part of the championship core.
Durant has only one season left on the contract and can refuse an extension if the Clippers add him, but the league has seen the team all-in with a one-year star.
“This is somewhat reminiscent of what happened in 2018 when Kawi Leonard was a free agent,” explained Brian Windhorst. “He had a list of teams he liked to go to. He was still on his contract for a year, and the Toronto Raptors were probably willing to roll the dice as a rental.”
The Raptors have revealed they are interested in adding “big fish” this summer. Giannis Ante Tokounmpo and Durant are the two best targets they can land, but Windhorst suggested that Durant could be reunited with two teammates: James Harden.
“The Raptors are one of those teams who can keep Durant on an extension and are willing to do this without knowing that they could essentially be on loan,” he continued. “And I think there are a few others, including the Los Angeles Clippers.”
Of course, after Brooklyn’s super teams collapsed, Durant admitted he was “offended” and allowed Harden to become the final pick in the 2022 NBA All-Star Draft, but they were filling up hatch.
There is a framework for the Clippers to build title cores without giving up on a true centerpiece, but it would be difficult to match Durant’s massive pay.
The Clippers have a way to match Durant’s salary, but are still hampered by Paul George’s trade, with only draft capital. On top of that, it’s impossible for them to keep all the core players while matching Durant’s pay.
The Durant trade situation can be compared to that of Leonard in 2018, but the San Antonio Spurs owed Kawi only $23.1 million, or 21.2% of the salary cap. Next season, Durant owes 35.4% of his salary cap to $54.7 million.
As a result, the Clippers have to choose between Powell and Zubuck on a deal, and along with Leonard, Harden and Durant’s core, that’s not a difficult choice.
Complete mock trade details:
- Clipper Received: Kevin Durant
- The Suns receives: Norman Powell, Drew Eubanks, Chris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2025 Pick No. 30, 2030 1st round pick
The Clippers can add 2031 pix swaps to sweeten the deal. The package looks a little more visible, especially compared to the four picks traded for Desmond Bain’s Memphis Grizzlies, but all four players will be able to reach the contracts as Bradley Beale is out of the book, allowing the Suns to litor in 2027 at free agency around Devin Booker.
By then, Booker is 30 years old and still his prime, with the Suns having the assets to compete in the West.
Meanwhile, the Clippers ended their careers across town from longtime rival LeBron James, being invited to win one season or Durant to stay for two more seasons.