There is no doubt that the Phoenix Suns are in for big changes this offseason. Sitting at 11th spot in the Western Conference and with a very real possibility of remaining there, the organization know that they need to do something different next season. It is part of the reason they were up for trading Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors at the deadline.
It sure feels like Durant is the odd man out at this point - Bradley Beal has that infamous no-trade clause while owner Mat Ishbia maintains Devin Booker is untouchable - although he might not be the only one. Paying off head coach Mike Budenholzer to leave Phoenix would be expensive, but it is also looking increasingly like the right decision to make. No matter how expensive.
Getting fair value for Durant is going to be harder than ever for the Suns.
Let's start with the obvious, and that is that Durant will be 37-years-old by the time next season begins. Not only that, but now more than ever it is clear that his apex on the court isn't capable of pulling out wins for his team. Durant the offensive force remains about 90 percent of what it was in his prime, it just doesn't guarantee as many wins anymore.
If it did the Suns wouldn't be struggling to break the 40 win mark, and in fact the 116.1 points the Suns average when Durant is on the court is his worst individual output since his second season with the Golden State Warriors. Back then he was expected to do even less of the heavy lifting playing in one of the best offensive machines of all-time as well, which doesn't help his cause either.
KD to Luka: "You're not getting that in the playoffs, you know that."
— ESPN (@espn) March 16, 2025
Luka later on the bench: "I've never been open so much in my life."
These mic'd up moments 😂 pic.twitter.com/mS7oUDVVQL
On top of that, the Suns are only marginally worse as a whole (115.0) in offensive rating for the season - and although Booker has played his part - that gap being as small as it is partly explains the struggles of the Suns. They've been the worst defensive team in the league since the start of February, but the belief was always that Durant could turbo-charge their offensive output.
That hasn't been the case, and so the asking price for his services is going to suffer. The Suns are rumored to be asking for three first-round picks - as well as a young player with real upside - but they may find the reality very different. After all, the eventual return on former first overall pick Deandre Ayton wasn't what fans had in mind either.
Durant obviously isn't Ayton, and he could be the missing piece for a team that is trying to win a championship. But he also has an injury history that - although it hasn't held him back too much in Phoenix - is still a reason to be cautious. There was that calf strain earlier this season, while his long-term injuries while with the Warriors and Brooklyn Nets have been well documented.
The Suns took a chance on trading for Durant, although it remains to be seen if that actually paid off. Are they a better team than before they went and got him? They're not as deep, and they haven't sniffed the NBA Finals. More top end talent sure, and more known to the casual fan. But is that a true indicator of success? Which is why you're going to be surprised what he gets moved for this summer.