Despite Kevin Durant leaking his list of preferred trade destinations, which includes the Miami Heat, the Phoenix Suns seem ready to play hard ball. The Heat, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs offers have not been to Phoenix’s liking, and all parties involved need to brace themselves for the superstar’s trade wishes to be dragged out.
Shams Charania has noted several times last week that he expects a trade be done sooner rather than later. At the longest, the June 25 NBA Draft seems to be the deadline here, considering any blockbuster deal may include a pick from this year’s draft.
However, the Suns have taken their time with negotiations thus far, and reportedly have been underwhelmed with offers from each of the two Texas teams and Miami. That’s where the Minnesota Timberwolves have gained steam, as Phoenix has been coveting a starting center in talks.
The Wolves seem open to moving one of Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle in a KD deal. The only problem, though, is that Durant has shown “no desire” to play in Minnesota, according to Charania. And that has led the Wolves to doubt their aggression in trade negotiations.
“League sources say the Suns are still hopeful that Durant might warm to the Timberwolves possibility.”
“The Timberwolves do not want to make a seismic change to a roster that advanced to the Western Conference finals if Durant is not on board with the move, team sources said.”
— The Athletic
This situation is slowly but surely developing into a similar Damian Lillard trade dilemma.
As Heat fans know all too well, Lillard had Miami as his sole preferred destination in a trade out of the Portland Trail Blazers organization two summers ago. After months worth of a saga, and stubbornness from the Blazers front office to do right for their franchise point guard, Lillard was ultimately traded to a place he never wanted to go to.
KD has more leverage than Damian Lillard did in the 2023 offseason.
Fortunately for Durant and Heat fans, his exact situation is a little bit different.
Lillard was still locked into a multi-year contract extension at the time of his trade request. Durant is on an expiring contract, and could test the free agent market after next season if the Suns send him somewhere he doesn’t want to go. But KD needs to remain firm.
Charania stating Durant’s non-interest to play for the Timberwolves is a huge step in that regard.
It makes other teams around the league second guess if it’s worth trading quality assets and draft capital for a one-year KD rental. If all three of the Heat, Rockets and Spurs offers stay underwhelming to Phoenix— something will have to give. Either the Suns will have to fold for the best of the worst or Miami (or any of the others) adds something to the negotiations to separate the pack.
In a recent local Arizona Central article, writer Duane Renkin said the Suns have no leverage here, and that their asking price will have to drop at some point.
“The Phoenix Suns may be placing too high a value on Kevin Durant and might have to reduce their asking price in negotiating a trade, league sources inform The Arizona Republic,” Renkin writes.
As mentioned, something will have to give. All three of Durant’s preferred landing spots in Miami, San Antonio and Houston must currently all be firm in their offers. Otherwise a deal would assuredly have been done by now.
As one of the greatest players in NBA history and future Hall of Fame talent, KD deserves to get to this final chapter of his legendary career on his own terms.
Charania has said that a deal could be finalized any day soon. But don’t be surprised if the Suns’ stubbornness drags this into the draft day soft deadline.
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Question: If Heat was in PHX place having KD, Beal, Booker…would this team have a different path? We wouldn’t know anyway. Point is having star players doesn’t guarantee immediate success. But in this franchise these players know they have a better chance in winning.
All the teams being mentioned are being played off each other. Phoenix gave up too much for him and they want to save face. Now, If we did get him, we should only give up the other guys in the proposed trade, and not Wiggins. Give another draft pick instead and then maybe you do it. Yes, we won’t win the title, but we probably will make the playoffs with that core and another addition (and if you get KD we must go all in or don’t waste our time as we aren’t good enough without at least another upgrade).
It would make for an exciting team, except that, one; the Suns would never do it, and two, KD isn’t coming here. So anyone who is hoping for this should know better after what we have been thru for the last few years.
If they get KD flip Herro please
“Fortunately for Durant and Heat fans, his exact situation is a little bit different.”???????
No, its not. Player have a leverage here over the team.
And KD is not far from Jimmy to change his mind instantly.
I’ve seen this movie before. It doesn’t end well. If Miami wants to keep pace with the evolving younger teams, Durant is not the answer. On the other hand, if Riley is trying to appease the fans and satisfy his own ego, it works just fine, for now. As for the future, forgetaboutit.
come on kd top 10 player all time still at high level what the f u talking about.east is battered .tatum out .ind not that impressive.stop getting whitesdiers riley .get friggin athletes jjj pelle jovic wtf is he thinking on top of a dunc a ty k love this guy is ancient
So you are willing to give up a starter, a rotation player, a couple of young players with potential and 2-3 picks to hire a mercenary. He’s creating the same kind of problem in Phoenix that the Quitter did in Miami. The team does not need more chaos and drama or to go through that crap again.
You saw what Orlando gave up for Bane…two rotation players, four first round draft picks and a pick swap. WTF? The dude hasn’t even made an all star team! As a sign of good faith, Phoenix is probably going to want all of that, plus somebody’s testicle and first born child for Durant. I ain’t volunteering for sh*t. If they ask for a name, I’m going to tell them about this die hard fan who would do anything to get Durant and would be happy to oblige. 😂
I think the only team with anyone’s first born child is the Lakers, and I have a feeling they’re not going to trade Bronny.