Breakout playoff performance from budding star could influence Kevin Durant trade

The Phoenix Suns are having to lick their wounds and sit the 2024-25 postseason out, and through two games in every series what has becoming painfully evident - especially in the Western Conference - is how far the Suns actually were from being good. Not even in contention to win a championship, just simply win a playoff game against any of these opponents.

Which is one of the main reasons why Kevin Durant has likely played his last game for the franchise. The 36-year-old was probably Phoenix's best player this season - but with Devin Booker going nowhere and Bradley Beal in possession of a no-trade clause - the 36-year-old looks like the odd man out. On the bright side, the Suns should still expect a haul of sorts for his services.

Jalen Green has put himself back in the picture in trade talks.

The Houston Rockets are one of the frontrunners to acquire Durant, and with good reason. They're a young, up-and-coming team with plenty of draft picks and young players to get a deal done. Most crucially of all, they also have several of the Suns' own future firsts that they could give back in any trade. Massively enticing as owner Mat Ishbia looks to revive the franchise in all areas.

The Rockets were beaten handily by the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of their opening round series - and depending on who advances - it may speed up the Rockets' desire to add Durant. If they can make a deep run, they may just talk themselves into believing they are one superstar offensive player away from winning it all.

If the Rockets were to move for Durant, we've already spoken about how they shouldn't consider taking back Jalen Green in any deal. We were wrong. His Game 1 performance was awful, and he looked every inch the lightweight scoring guard who was not ready to lead a team in the playoffs when everything slows down, much less against a dynasty in the Warriors.

He finished with seven points, and had little impact on the game. Contrast that with one game later - and when his team needed him the most to step up to avoid going into an 0-2 hole - Green exploded for 38 points while matching a franchise high eight makes from deep in a playoff game. Not since James Harden has a player looked so ready for the moment in a Rockets jersey.

Best of all though - and this is an area where the Suns were painfully lacking this season - Green got into it with Draymond Green on several occasions, and he didn't back down. His flagrant foul on Green was unnecessary and it came at a time when the Warriors were trying to make one final push to get back into the game - but beyond that - the younger Green was brilliant.

If he is going to continue to show that fight - combined with the scoring outbursts - then he suddenly becomes a player the Suns should want at all costs in any Durant deal. The fit next to Booker might not be perfect, but it would at least create a definite role for Beal off the bench for good as well. If he's not happy with that and wants to leave, then all the better.

Green mentioned in his post-game interview with TNT that defending and rebounding had helped him get more involved again, having let the first game pass him by. He's by no means a great defender - and his skinnier frame is easy to push off for bigger wings who want to get to their spots - but actually trying is the first step. We were too quick to write Green off, he could be just what the Suns need.