Damian Lillard injury massively complicates Suns' offseason plans

The Phoenix Suns can only look on as the NBA's playoffs unfold in front of them, but at least Devin Booker has stuck around in The Valley as the team stares into a long offseason. To this point, it sure felt like the series between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors - and who came out on top - could go some way to deciding what happens next in Phoenix.

If the Rockets were to win and advance another round or two, they could talk themselves into thinking they are a Kevin Durant away from true contention. They've struggled offensively and have the young players and picks to make a deal, with the 36-year-old a ready-made solution who can get any team that employs him a bucket.

Damian Lillard's injury will hold up Suns' own trade plans.

As you've likely already seen, Damian Lillard went down in the Milwaukee Bucks' Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers in their first round series, and it was later confirmed that he had suffered a torn left achilles tendon. A devastating blow for the player - the list of players who came back 100 percent after such a setback doesn't extend much further than Durant - and the Bucks' season.

But what this has also done is throw fresh speculation over the future of franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo, who may now decide he wants out of Milwaukee. He brought them a championship - and although their franchise's future isn't quite as bleak as that of the Suns - it isn't far off either. A lack of picks and Lillard making similar money to Bradley Beal the key reasons why.

They also have Kyle Kuzma on their books, who this postseason has shown us equates to having a negative asset. Given the Bucks have had their own turmoil with head coaches - ironcially firing Mike Budenholzer to effectively start that process - you couldn't blame Giannis at 30-years-old if he decides now is the time to move.

Should that happen - and really until Antetokounmpo gives the rest of the league any indication that he is going to stay with the Bucks - then the prospect of trading for Durant suddenly gets a lot less appealing. He remains a better offensive player, but he's more than half a decade older and has a longer injury history than Giannis.

Antetokounmpo remains one of the five best players in the world, while this season only proved that Durant doesn't have the same control over helping a franchise win big that he used to. The Rockets would be wise to hold on and see what develops in Milwaukee, and they are not the only organization who would sit tight.

The New York Knicks are another interesting case, while the Brooklyn Nets offer the chance for Giannis to go to a big market with a blank canvas and build what he wants there. Which could have the knock-on impact of decreasing the value of Durant, as teams go all in on "The Greek Freak".

Finishing on an optimistic note here - and should Antetokounmpo actually get traded - there are sure to be multiple teams interested. Whoever misses out is going to quickly pivot - and potentially overpay - for their second option, so as to save their summer. The services of Durant would not be a bad consolation prize.