3 teams who desperately need to trade for Kevin Durant this summer

The Phoenix Suns might be by-standers in the NBA Playoffs right now, but that doesn't mean what is happening on the court has no impact on their offseason. In fact by doing nothing at all, the price for Kevin Durant's services has actually increase since the postseason got underway.

It has become clear that Durant's skills are still in high demand, because the amount of supposedly elite teams who cannot get a bucket when a game that actually means something gets tight is alarming. You only have to look at the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder's first-quarter of their Game 4 matchup to see how painful it can be to watch as well.

The list of franchises desperate for Durant is growing.

The 36-year-old might be entering the final year of his current deal, but that might actually be a good thing in trying to trade for him. He obviously wants another bag as the end of his career comes into focus - and if you can offer him that plus a chance to win - then he is likely going to sign with that organization.

Three teams in wildly different stages of their own development are emerging as the franchises who could do with the services of Durant the most. In the case of all three there is also currently a way to actually trade for Durant as well, although it is unclear if the Suns and their new General Manager would have any interest in these offers. A bidding war breaking out is great news for The Valley.

3. Houston Rockets

On paper, that looks like a lot to give up for Durant if you're the Houston Rockets, especially as rumors have them distancing themselves from the player at this point. They could have more interest in Devin Booker because he's on a similar timeline to their core - but if that is the case - the Suns simply hang up the phone and move on.

The five players mentioned above also doesn't include any draft picks, and you can bet there'd be a couple of firsts in there as well. The Rockets have too many guys and in this trade would get to keep their two best young players in Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, while they would also still have Fred VanVleet to run the show.

Really though this might be gutting their roster a little too much, but as things stand it is the only real way to make this deal work financially without getting a third team involved. From the perspective of the Suns - if they are serious about re-tooling around Booker and not taking a massive step back - this represents the best of both worlds.

Dillon Brooks brings the toughness that was sorely lacking - as does Tari Eason as an excellent defender who the Rockets would be reluctant to give up on - while Reed Sheppard has a chance to become their long-term option at the center spot. As an added bonus, the prospect of Bradley Beal playing with a lot of these guys looks a lot better too. Rockets need a scorer, and that' Durant.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

It seems insane that the Cleveland Cavaliers would even be in this conversation, but the manner in which the Indiana Pacers are bullying them and stopping the second most effective offense in league history from scoring is massively alarming if you're a Cavs fan. If they end up getting taken out in five, they surely have to make changes this summer.

Swinging for Durant and pairing him with Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley would appear like a great way to achieve this, and as a "Big 3" they'd have among the best two-way balance in the entire league. The main sticking point here is the lack of first round draft picks the Cavaliers have in any potential deal, and it's not like the quality of player coming back is exciting either.

But whereas the Rockets can offer the Suns potential, it would test their resolve to see how serious they are about giving Booker a chance to win right away again. Jarrett Allen is among the best centers in the league - and while De'Andre Hunter has gotten mixed-up with Bennedict Mathurin too much in their series - he's still a defensive upgrade over what the Suns have going right now.

Isaac Okoro again helps on that end, and this deal would spell the end of one or both of Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale in Phoenix as well. In truth the Cavaliers would need to give that little bit more here, but they could be used to jack up the price for other organizations such as the Rockets should Giannis Antetokounmpo become available and they miss out on him.

1. Miami Heat

We may just have stumbled into the perfect blend of present and future with this one, and it is made all the more realistic by the fact Miami Heat President Pat Riley recently told the media he is happy to go after an ageing star this summer if they fit the bill. Tyler Herro is an All-Star level player, although the fit next to Booker and Beal would require some work.

It would mean Beal coming off the bench permanently, with the Suns also then needing to add more defensive-minded players around the group. Andrew Wiggins has seen his stock drop in recent seasons, but he is still only 30-years-old and in theory compliments both Booker and Beal really well.

It would be a stretch to think he could recapture the form that saw him win big with the Golden State Warriors, but much like Herro he is a player who can help the Suns to win now. The real kicker here however is the fact the Heat are also in control of their own first round draft picks for the rest of the decade.

This trade would allow the Suns to thread the needle between trying to win now and also restocking for the future. Most importantly of all, the Heat appear to be open for business and have already publicly said a player like Durant could interest them. Despite a wretched season, this is a strong position for the Suns to be in.