RealGM

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly discussing Kevin Durant trades ahead of Thursday's deadline. The list of teams extends beyond the reported discussions with the Golden State Warriors, as the Suns aren't closing any doors in a potential Durant deal.

One of the reasons the Suns are discussing trading Durant is that could be the path to landing Jimmy Butler in Phoenix. Butler has wanted a trade to the Suns for over a month now. That's been complicated by the salary-matching requirements for Phoenix as a second apron team.

The Suns have searched for a team willing to take on Bradley Beal's contract. That's been complicated by Beal's no-trade clause and his need to approve any trade.

Now, given his own large salary, Phoenix could swap Durant in a deal that allows them to match salary in a deal for Butler. It's unknown if Butler's desire to be traded to the Suns would be impacted if Durant was part of the outgoing package.

Via Marc Stein and Jake Fischer/The Stein Line

No way I'm trading KD for Jimmy..that makes no sense.

There's no way that PHX can acquire Draymond and Jimmy without sending out Beal, and Beal doesn't sound like he wants to play along with a trade.

How bout tell KD to “just hoop” like he always says he wants to and to play with the team they have. Enough forced trades from this guy.

I wonder if anybody wants Beal at all

They're gonna trade for Jimmy Butler to play with Kevin Durant, just trade away Kevin Durant, or straight up trade Jimmy Butler for Kevin Durant. This is obviously a team with vision, and a solid long-term master plan.

pushfloater wrote:I wonder if anybody wants Beal at all

There are teams that will take him in the right trade, but does anyone WANT Beal? Surely not on that contract, especially with his NTC. His contract has 2 more years at ~$55M per year, but that NTC is like adding an additional 50% of badness on top of it.