Imperfect monster trade with the Knicks officially staring Suns in the face

The Phoenix Suns are certain to make moves this offseason, just as soon as they can decide who their next head coach is going to be. Luckily for them they've whittled that process down to two individuals - both of which are currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers as assistants - in Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott.

Ott might have the inside track given he and Sun's owner Mat Ishbia share Michigan State as an alma mater, but no matter who the franchise picks they have done the right thing by including Devin Booker in the process. The latest rumors suggesting that he will speak to both finalists - if he hasn't already during this process - ahead of one of them landing the job.

Trading Kevin Durant for Karl-Anthony Towns looms on the horizon.

Once that decision has been made, the organization will then have to address the small matter of trading Kevin Durant. Most expect the team to move on from the 36-year-old, but just what they can get back in return remains to be seen. One franchise to keep an eye on here are the New York Knicks, because of the manner in which they lost the Eastern Conference Finals.

Karl-Anthony Towns offensively was a revelation for them this season - but when it came time to turn it up defensively - he was found wanting. The Knicks did boast OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart to lock down opponents - not to mention a brief cameo from this form Sun - but if they'd gotten more from Towns as well, they could be in the NBA Finals right now.

Part of the reason the Minnesota Timberwolves moved on from Towns was because of the massive sums of money coming his way despite the fact he likely isn't the best player on a championship team. Do you know who doesn't mind paying ridiculous money to try and build a winner and currently employs Bradley Beal? That's right, which is why the Suns could be one to watch here.

What if the Knicks could add an offensive closer in Durant to take the burden off the fantastic - but ultimately undersized - Jalen Brunson? They already have Mitchell Robinson on the roster as well who is obviously a massive drop-off offensively compared to Towns. That cannot be overstated enough. But on the other end he gave the Pacers problems, even if he's a relatively slow big man.

If you're the Suns, then Booker gets the chance to team up with a college teammate again in Towns. Remember that SLAM cover all the way back that featured that duo plus D'Angelo Russell? Again this is also far from perfect - the Suns gave up a dreadful 117.7 points per game last season and Towns isn't going to make that any better - but it would somehow still improve their center rotation.

Jusuf Nurkic might be gone, but the combination of Mason Plumlee, Oso Ighodaro, occasionally Durant himself and even Bol Bol just isn't going to get it done. Why not move on from Durant and be on the hook for Towns for three more years after this one. That final year is a player option at an insane $61 million, but that's not as bad as you might think.

In today's league it can help to have larger contracts on the books in order to get deals done, and let's not forget that Phoenix typically has not been a free agent destination. Booker's arrival helped to change that - and if it meant keeping him onside as well - then it is something to strongly consider. Outrageous? Yes. Would the Knicks do it? Maybe not. But it kind of works for both parties.