Kevin Durant is expected to be traded by the Phoenix Suns this offseason, though the exact timeline and destination remain uncertain. The Suns shopped Durant ahead of the trade deadline, but he blocked a potential return to the Golden State Warriors.
With one year remaining on his contract, Durant may have some leverage over potential destinations. However, the Suns aren't obligated to honor his preferences, particularly if a team emerges willing to acquire him as a one-year rental.
"I expect them to look into the Durant trade market pretty soon," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on Get Up. "There are going to be a handful of teams that have interest in Durant. The key with Durant is this: he has one year left on his contract. Is he going to want to sign an extension? Is he going to want to be a part of the process of the trade? And are the Suns going to let him be involved in the process? That's a key factor going forward."
Durant's trade preferences have proven influential in the past. When he requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in 2022, he listed Phoenix as his preferred destination with the Miami Heat as his second choice. The Nets initially pulled him from the market that offseason before ultimately dealing him to the Suns at the 2023 trade deadline after Mat Ishbia purchased the team and met Brooklyn's asking price.
The upcoming offseason will test whether Durant and business partner Rich Kleiman maintain that same level of control over his next destination.
