The 2024-25 season was considered terrible for the Phoenix Suns. Despite having All-Stars for Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, they missed the playoffs and play-in tournaments.
That disappointing result led to the decision to fire Coach Mike Budenholzer just a year later.
Now, the Suns are not only looking for another new head coach this offseason, but are also considering replacing Kevin Durant, who has one year left on the contract.
The two-time champion will win $54.7 million next season, maintaining his superstar caliber performance with 26.6 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists over the past season.
Reports of his potential movements growing significantly have made several teams appear as Durant’s perfect destinations.
The Houston Rockets currently control three of the Suns’ next four first-round picks, making them natural trading partners. Rocket also has a bunch of tools to match pay with intriguing young players.
Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun are making a lot of money as part of the team’s younger core. Houston can include veterans like Dillon Brooks and Fred Vanvleet, and organizations can get his team options and include him in expired deals.
This represents a useful scenario for both parties. Durant’s scoring ability could potentially provide the Rocket with the offensive firepower they need to complement their younger cores and make deep playoff runs following their first round elimination with Golden State this season.
In the case of the Sun, they can choose between young talent and veterans and stay competitive at least in play-in competition, assuming Devin Booker stays.
Despite being 36 years old, Durant is one of the NBA’s most effective goalscorers, shooting 52.7% last season. Combining him with rising star Anthony Edwards allowed Minnesota to be a serious championship contest.
To carry out such a transaction, the Timberwolves will need to navigate the salary cap constraints. Potential trade assets include future drafts for players such as Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle.
Durant and Edwards have developed a strong relationship of trust during their Team USA experience, and Edwards reportedly views Durant as a mentor.
The New York Knicks are in a position to make a major leap after the acclaimed Eastern Conference Finals run.
Getting Durant and combining him with Jalen Branson and Mikal Bridge could create a terrifying trio that can compete with the league’s elite.
To match Durant’s substantial salary, New York must include key assets in its trade package. One proposed scenario would be to send Karl Anthony Town to Phoenix in exchange for Durant.
The move will meet pay requirements and provide for the Suns to build a younger star, allowing the Knicks to move from players that many consider to be problematic during the playoff defensive struggle.