Suns Haven't Initiated Kevin Durant Trade Discussions; Future With Team Still Possible

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Phoenix Suns have yet to begin any trade conversations involving Kevin Durant and the possibility of him remaining with the franchise to start the 25-26 season hasn't been fully ruled out.

The Suns elevated Brian Gregory to general manager and he remains focused on hiring their next head coach.

Durant and the Suns may be forced to wait until there's a resolution to whether Giannis Antetokounmpo is traded or remains with the Milwaukee Bucks for his own trade market to materialize. Some of the teams who are interested in trading for Antetokounmpo could also be interested in Durant, plus third-team facilitators may prefer being included on what would be a bigger trade of Antetokounmpo.

The Suns explored the trade market for Durant at the trade deadline with the Golden State Warriors coming closer to a deal before he expressed a preference not to be dealt back to his former team. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are amongst the teams who have been linked with Durant.

Via Jake Fischer/The Stein Line

[Montrosslegend]

I’d like to see KD on Denver, he might get them over the hump, him + a couple 3 and d guys, Jamal Murray and Jokic.

Russ has to go also I’m afraid

[puja21]

I’d like to see KD on Denver, he might get them over the hump, him + a couple 3 and d guys, Jamal Murray and Jokic.

Russ has to go also I’m afraid

KD has the #7 salary in the entire league next season ($55M) -- more than both Jokic and Murray

Would have to combine MPJ + Zeke Nnaji + Watson just to make salary work

Denver has no 2nd round picks for any of the next 7 drafts and they have no FRP in 2025 (Orlando #25), 2027 or 2029 (both OKC)

It's probably not realistic without finding a 3rd team to give PHX something more desirable

MPJ has been healthy (6 games missed in 2 years) but he did play hurt in the playoffs and it showed.
It's an injury to his non-shooting shoulder but plummeted from >50% FG to the 30s and went from 40% 3PM to 34%

[Pickled Prunes]

I’d like to see KD on Denver, he might get them over the hump, him + a couple 3 and d guys, Jamal Murray and Jokic.

Russ has to go also I’m afraid

KD wouldn't fix anything for them. If they could move Murray and and Porter for 3-4 3&d wings, they would be set. Jokic, Gordon and Braun should be the only thing tied down in DEN.

On Russ: His numbers look terrible because this roster is terrible when Jokic doesn't have the ball in his hands. Russ did most of his ball handling while Jokic was either sitting, or when he was on the floor but needed to rest for a possession. How many minimum players would do better in that situation? I mean, Russ had some bonehead plays, but he also had some timely rebounds and assists. I'm not saying that they should or should not keep him. I'm saying that he wasn't the problem. Depth was the problem. The fact that he was actually their 5th or 6th best player was the problem. If they don't bring him back it's just one more slot they need to fill on a super thin roster. He's got a player option so if he wants to be back, he'll be back. I wouldn't make moving him a priority. If they find enough depth they can just opt not to play him and he'll ask for a buyout.