Although the Phoenix Suns offseason has been overshadowed by the Robert Sarver investigation, and most recently Jae Crowder’s trade request, there was a time where the franchise was potentially in the market for one of the NBA’s greatest ever players.
Back just before free agency kicked off, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant requested a trade despite having four years left to run on his deal. Shortly after, the Suns were mentioned as a preferred destination for the two-time Finals MVP.
Cameron Payne delivered a very forthright response when asked about the Kevin Durant trade rumours at Phoenix Suns media day on Monday.
Payne was relieved to remain in Phoenix where he’s rejuvenated his career despite some issues towards the end of last season. Still, these are strange comments for a player that probably shouldn’t have been worried in the first place.
Cam Payne said his heart dropped when he started hearing the Kevin Durant trade rumors, but this is his home now and he's relieved to be back.
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 26, 2022
"Thank the Lord it didn't happen."
If this perspective came from Mikal Bridges then that would be perfectly understandable. After the Suns matched Deandre Ayton’s offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers, taking him out of trade discussions, Bridges was seen as the Suns major bargaining chip in a potential Durant deal.
But for Payne, the chances of him ever being involved in the deal were slim to none. Firstly, the Nets have a plethora of guards that include Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Patty Mills and Cam Thomas, making Payne virtually useless to them in trade discussions.
Second and most importantly, Phoenix aren’t as blessed with guard options. Their lack of point-guard depth has been a major criticism of this current roster, making Payne a must retain despite his on-court flaws. There is almost no way he’s moved unless an alternative point-guard is coming back the other way, or if the franchise finds a suitable option that makes Payne expendable.
At the very least, Payne’s comments regarding Durant are a sure indication of his love for the Suns and The Valley. Whether he can repay that by rediscovering his best form is the next question we await to find out.