The Phoenix Suns could be headed for an offseason filled with major change, and Kevin Durant is hardly viewed as a lock to remain with the team in the coming months. That does not mean the Suns are determined to trade the 15-time All-Star, however.
After losing their sixth straight game on Sunday, the Suns are 2.5 games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament. The position they are in is shocking when you consider that they have one of the highest payrolls in the NBA.
In an ESPN column that was published on Monday, Brian Windhorst examined what might be next for the Suns if they miss the postseason. The reporter said Phoenix does not want to trade Durant, but that might be the team’s only realistic way of getting out of the second apron and gaining roster flexibility.
The Suns have said they will not trade Devin Booker. Bradley Beal has a full no-trade clause in his contract, so he would have to sign off on any deal. That leaves the 36-year-old Durant as the most sensible trade chip the Suns have, but Windhorst says they were looking for a “massive haul” when they spoke with teams at the trade deadline in February.
Durant is still playing at an elite level. He has averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season. Most teams would have no problem paying him the $55 million he is owed next year, but Durant is said to be seeking a two-year, $120 million max contract extension.
“If the Suns arrive at a crossroads where they have to move Durant, they might have to make a decision between getting what they want, which is a beautiful package of players and draft capital, and settling for what they need, which is flexibility,” Windhorst wrote.
There is another major change the Suns could make without breaking up their Big Three, but that may not solve all of their issues.
If the Suns do decide they are better off moving forward without Durant, one Western Conference contender has already emerged as the favorite to land the two-time NBA Finals MVP.
