The Phoenix Suns have entered an offseason that is going to bring with it a ton of change, with Kevin Durant the player most likely to be moved by the franchise. As the Houston Rockets have shown in falling into a 3-1 hole versus the Golden State Warriors, they are one accomplished offensive closer away from being taken seriously.
The 36-year-old Durant is that player, while the Rockets also have the combination of first round picks and young players to get a deal done. Durant isn't the only player who could be on the move, with fans hopeful the franchise can also rid itself of Bradley Beal. His no-trade clause making that difficult - although according to owner Mat Ishbia - not impossible.
Damian Lillard's injury could create the chance to make a trade.
As you have likely seen, Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks recently tore his left achilles, in what is a hammer blow for that organization. It is not a stretch to say that the future of the Bucks is even more bleak to that of the Suns, given they also don't have any first round picks and don't have a ready-made trade asset in Durant to try and recoup some of what they've lost.
Instead they've got an old Brook Lopez, an awful Kyle Kuzma and... not much else. Lillard's injury could also complicate the Suns' own ability to move Durant because - should Giannis Antetokounmpo decide he wants out of Milwaukee - the Rockets and every other team who is in the market this summer will pivot to trying to acquire him before Durant.
What does Beal have to do with any of this? If you remember, Beal has spoken in the past about possibly joining the Bucks when he was still a member of the Washington Wizards. That didn't happen - and again his no-trade clause is still in effect - but it is at least something that has been considered before. Getting the opportunity to play with Giannis has to be alluring as well.
It also just so happens that in trading Khris Middleton - ironically to the Wizards - at the deadline, the Bucks are now under the second cap. Meaning that could trade Lillard straight up for Beal. Why would the Bucks want to do this? It gets them away from a player who will be out for a year, while Beal could actually have a role that suits him next to Antetokounmpo.
He would once again be a starter, wouldn't be asked to defend as much on that roster, and could have big scoring nights while playing as the second star there. Contrast that to Phoenix, where he has never fit as the third option offensively, while the combination next to Devin Booker in the backcourt hasn't worked either.
If you're the Suns - yes you have to deal with Lillard not being available next season - but they could take a step back to move forward. Imagine they traded away Durant for some picks - including their own back from the Rockets - then had a down year in which Booker played alongside Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro and whoever they got from the Durant deal.
They would likely miss out on the playoffs again, only this time they'd have some picks to show for it. Draft some young wings and defensive-minded players, have Lillard come back and possibly come off the bench to finish out his career, and go for it again around Booker in 2026-27. It is far from perfect, but it actually makes sense for all involved. Hard to do when it comes to trading Beal.