The Phoenix Suns’ efforts to trade Kevin Durant reached a critical moment when they attempted to send him to the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline, a deal Durant ultimately rejected, deciding to remain with Phoenix for the remainder of the season. This move appears to have irreparably damaged relations between Durant and the Suns, given that players of his caliber rarely take kindly to trades being discussed without their consent.

After more than two years with Durant, the Suns’ performance has steadily declined, culminating in a postseason miss this season following early exits in the previous two years. With no leverage involving Bradley Beal due to his no-trade clause and a roster lacking promising young talent or valuable draft picks, the Suns seem trapped in their current state. Owner Mat Ishbia has publicly dismissed any notion of trading Devin Booker, further tightening Phoenix’s options. As a result, trading Durant seems the only viable path to instigating any significant change.

Trade Confirmation and Current Doubts

Following the trade deadline, the consensus among media and insiders was that the Suns would eventually move Durant. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst affirmed this firmly, and late-season reports largely supported this expectation. While Phoenix’s ownership has stopped short of explicitly stating Durant’s trade is imminent, there have been hints about possibly rebuilding around Booker, which indirectly suggests Durant’s exit is on the horizon.

That said, recent developments have been quieter than anticipated, with no publicized meetings or dialogues between Durant and the Suns, unlike other high-profile players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo with Milwaukee. Although ongoing reporting and logic point towards a trade, no official confirmation has yet surfaced, leaving the situation poised on a knife’s edge.

What Phoenix Seeks in Return for Durant

The price Phoenix paid to acquire Durant was steep, including four first-round draft picks and the trade of Mikal Bridges, who himself generated five first-round picks in a subsequent deal with the Knicks. Adding Cam Johnson’s value into the equation, the Suns effectively surrendered the equivalent of over ten first-round picks to assemble their current roster.

According to Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin, the Suns’ asking price reportedly involves three first-round picks plus a young player. While understandable in theory, this demand seems ambitious given Durant’s age of 37 and his expiring contract. The strategic use of these draft picks is unclear unless the Suns start a full rebuild involving Booker’s departure, something Ishbia has firmly rejected. Many of these picks may not help if the goal is winning around Booker soon, considering Booker will be nearing 29 years old by the start of the next season.

If the Suns’ objective is to remain competitive with Booker as their cornerstone, there are two plausible trade scenarios. One is acquiring multiple veteran role players to address specific roster weaknesses such as rim protection, perimeter defense, playmaking, or scoring penetration. Another possibility is exchanging Durant for another high-profile, established player to complement Booker and maintain star power around him, which could also align with keeping key players content.

Durant’s Personal Priorities in Any Trade Deal

Durant’s perspective on a trade remains less transparent. In a February interview on the Draymond Green Show, he stated,

I want my career to end on my terms. That’s the only thing.

—Kevin Durant

At 37 and on an expiring contract, Durant possesses considerable leverage to veto any forced trade, as evidenced by his decision to block the Warriors deal earlier this year. His next destination will depend heavily on where he wants to play, but current clues are sparse. A reunion with Golden State appears unlikely given recent events, and a return to Oklahoma City seems off the table due to past sour experiences and their current team situation.

Historically, Durant favors playing alongside dynamic scoring guards, demonstrated by his move to pair with Stephen Curry in Golden State and later teaming with Kyrie Irving and James Harden in Brooklyn. His recent desire to join the Suns was partly tied to Booker’s presence. At this stage, Durant needs a backcourt teammate who can create shots efficiently, as he is no longer the dominant rim-attacker he once was, nor a primary playmaker. Players with whom he shares existing chemistry may be preferable, with Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves standing out due to their prior connection on Team USA and Edwards’ admiration for Durant.

Ultimately, much of Durant’s decision-making is likely confidential and taking place behind closed doors. He may be communicating with various players and organizations to plot where he wants to finish his career. Until he clarifies his preferred destination and team composition, predicting the exact shape of a potential trade remains speculative.

Potential NBA Teams Interested in Acquiring Durant

While Durant no longer fits the profile of a long-term MVP candidate, his skill set and status still make him a highly valuable but attainable trade asset. His age and contract situation broaden the list of teams that could realistically pursue him this offseason.

ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that mutual interest existed between Durant and five teams at the trade deadline: the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Houston Rockets. These clubs could renew their pursuit now that the season has ended. The Memphis Grizzlies, despite being rebuffed by Durant at the deadline, might also have a shot at reconsideration.

Other possibilities include the Golden State Warriors potentially reentering the market, especially if Phoenix remains interested in Jimmy Butler, whom Golden State owns as a trade asset. The Dallas Mavericks are less likely to pursue a veteran like Durant aggressively after securing promising rookie Cooper Flagg but cannot be entirely ruled out given the intriguing combination of Flagg, Durant, Anthony Davis, and Kyrie Irving.

Teams in the Eastern Conference’s middle tier, such as Detroit and Orlando, may be motivated to make bold moves if perennial contenders like Boston falter in the coming season. Durant’s unique talent as a shooter and scorer means he could integrate into nearly any team’s system, increasing competition for his services.

Durant’s portability as a superstar is nearly unrivaled in NBA history, and despite his advancing years, he remains one of the league’s most difficult offensive players to defend. Interest is expected to be high, but the ultimate destination will likely hinge on Durant’s own preferences and the fit he envisions to conclude his career on his terms.