The Phoenix Suns have reportedly not been able to find a team to meet their asking price in a potential Kevin Durant trade, and Brian Windhorst is not ruling out one unexpected outcome.
Windhorst discussed the ongoing Durant trade talks during a Tuesday appearance on 850 ESPN Cleveland Radio. He said the Suns have been in “a real staredown” with teams that have interest in Durant.
The ESPN reporter also said Phoenix is not going to get a massive haul for Durant just because the Memphis Grizzlies got a package that included four first-round draft picks when they traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic over the weekend.
In fact, Windhorst says he would not be shocked if the Suns wind up having to keep Durant.
“The teams that Durant wants to go to, Houston and San Antonio for example, they’re leery of paying a huge amount for a 37-year-old,” Windhorst said. “Their whole teams are in their early to mid-20s. So, you don’t have alignment in making everybody get on the same page — what Durant wants, what the Suns need, what teams want to pay with the contract. I would not rule out the Suns not being able to get a trade they like and having to make a decision, like, ‘Do we not trade him at all?'”
"I would not rule out the Suns not being able to get a trade they like and having to make a decision, like do we not trade him at all," – @WindhorstESPN on the Kevin Durant trade landscape. pic.twitter.com/o9QoCsOvjS
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 17, 2025
A report on Tuesday said the Suns have placed too high of a value on Durant and are viewed as having “no leverage.” That is because rival teams know Durant wants out of Phoenix, plus he will turn 37 in September and is seeking a contract extension.
The Suns want to trade Durant before the NBA Draft, which is on June 25. It is possible they will lower their asking price closer to that date in order to get a deal done. For now, however, they do not seem close to an agreement with any team.
Durant is reportedly willing to sign an extension with three teams, but he does not have a no-trade clause. Even if the Suns genuinely want to trade him to one of his preferred teams, they are not going to turn down a clear best offer.
