Kevin Durant, Suns Realize He 'Probably' Will Be Traded In Offseason

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 2:03 pm

Kevin Durant laughed off a question about his future with the Phoenix Suns following their loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, which was his first game since the trade deadline when he unexpectedly emerged in negotiations.

"He's probably going to get traded this summer," said Brian Windhorst on Get Up on Wednesday. "He knows it. The Suns know it. The rest of the league knows it. They're going to enjoy him while they have him. It's not really controversial in all honesty.

"They're under .500. They have a $230 million payroll, then add over $100 million on tax on top of that."

The Suns have disappointed this season despite their high payroll and all the moves they have made to win-now.

"While I would never make an ironclad prediction, I would expect Durant and the Suns this summer to work together to find a new home," said Windhorst. "He has one year left on his contract, which would give him control as to where that would be."

Via Brian Windhorst/ESPN

sChOlaRlY_Magi · Post #2 » by **sChOlaRlY_Magi** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 2:52 pm

I wonder if Durant regrets not going to the Dubs.

Better chance to win this year, and he could still force a trade next season...

sChOlaRlY_Magi · Post #3 » by **sChOlaRlY_Magi** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 2:53 pm

Btw I have no real interest in either team. Just wondering from a philosophical perspective.

Is Phoenix that much better, and if so... Why?

Sign5 · Post #4 » by **Sign5** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 3:13 pm

sChOlaRlY_Magi wrote:I wonder if Durant regrets not going to the Dubs.

Better chance to win this year, and he could still force a trade next season...

He profusely rejected a potential trade so most likely not. Maybe still sour with Draymond.

fuller4379 · Post #5 » by **fuller4379** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 3:54 pm

The Suns blew up a very good, young team to get a bunch of old guys.

ontnut · Post #6 » by **ontnut** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 4:02 pm

sChOlaRlY_Magi wrote:Btw I have no real interest in either team. Just wondering from a philosophical perspective.

Is Phoenix that much better, and if so... Why?

Nothing to do with PHX vs GS. It has everything to do with not wanting to play with Draymond, and maybe even Steph, again. His reputation/legacy was already tarnished by going to GS to win 2 rings. Imagine how his reputation would worsen if he crawled back to them AGAIN.

Post #7 » by **TheCage4** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 5:42 pm

fuller4379 wrote:The Suns blew up a very good, young team to get a bunch of old guys.

As did the Brooklyn Nets with the failed KD, Kyrie, and Harden trio...plus they axed coach Atkinson (and we all see how he's doing in Cleveland).

Owners can't get out of their own way.

benhillboy · Post #8 » by **benhillboy** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 5:45 pm

The Grizz are an explosive scoring team who hustles, defends, moves, the ball, and loves to communicate. Durant is the last player they need to have interest in.

Pickled Prunes · Post #9 » by **Pickled Prunes** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 6:34 pm

Sign5 wrote:
sChOlaRlY_Magi wrote:I wonder if Durant regrets not going to the Dubs.

Better chance to win this year, and he could still force a trade next season...

He profusely rejected a potential trade so most likely not. Maybe still sour with Draymond.

No regret at all; he made that decision last week. He may eventually regret it if GSW win rings this season or next... but that seems extremely unlikely.

Roy T · Post #10 » by **Roy T** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 7:41 pm

Trade him to OKC. Get it done!

Beethoven · Post #11 » by **Beethoven** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 8:07 pm

Would love to see Bron and KD pair up before they head off into the sunset.

Hell, bring Steph too might as well.

We got the assets you know. Knect and a 1st. Let's get this in the works. NBA will figure this out.

The Laker Kid · Post #12 » by **The Laker Kid** » Wed Feb 12, 2025 9:04 pm

Beethoven wrote:Would love to see Bron and KD pair up before they head off into the sunset.

Hell, bring Steph too might as well.

We got the assets you know. Knect and a 1st. Let's get this in the works. NBA will figure this out.

We're trying to get younger, not older lol

JKiddy · Post #13 » by **JKiddy** » Thu Feb 13, 2025 3:35 am

KD in Miami?
Giannis in Brooklyn?

The NBA is about to get cool again.

Revived · Post #14 » by **Revived** » Thu Feb 13, 2025 2:31 pm

The Laker Kid wrote:
Beethoven wrote:Would love to see Bron and KD pair up before they head off into the sunset.

Hell, bring Steph too might as well.

We got the assets you know. Knect and a 1st. Let's get this in the works. NBA will figure this out.

We're trying to get younger, not older lol

You want to maximize the window you have with LeBron. Both LeBron and KD probably have another 2-3 years of at least “borderline elite” level play in them. Add in a young buck like Luka setting them up and that’s a freaking squad.

Alex_84 · Post #15 » by **Alex_84** » Thu Feb 13, 2025 2:49 pm

I'd like to see KD go to Houston next summer but it's not realistic, since the Suns are gonna ask for a buttload in return. All of their picks, plus Alpi, Because they desperately need a C.

In other words, no go.

puja21 · Post #16 » by **puja21** » Thu Feb 13, 2025 3:03 pm

JKiddy wrote:KD in Miami?
Giannis in Brooklyn?

The NBA is about to get cool again.

IDK what to expect from KD in 2025/26

He's already missed 25% of this season.
Was healthy last year but in the 3 years before that missed 43%, 33% and 51% of games.

He turns 37 before the season starts.

Only 6 players ever have scored 20 ppg at age 36 or later.

Granted, it's gotten easier to play well into the mid/late 30s in recent years...
In fact 3 of those age-36+ 20 ppg seasons are happening right now (Lebron, Steph and KD).

The other 3 names are:
-Kareem (21.5 at 36, 22.0 at 37, 23.4 at 38)
-MJ (22.9 at 38 and 20.0 at 39)
-Mailman (25.5 at 36, 23.2 at 37, 22.4 at 38)

No one else in history has even scored 19 ppg at age 36 or older.