Latest news all but confirms Kevin Durant trade will be latest disappointment for the Suns

The Phoenix Suns might have formally introduced a new head coach in Jordan Ott to the media earlier this week, but that is far from the only issue they needed to address this offseason. While it is great to have an enthusiastic first time leading man in the building - and one that is already giving Devin Booker what he wants - the small matter of what to do with Kevin Durant looms large.

Durant is all but gone this offseason - and although all manner of teams are said to be interested - it is unclear just what the asking price for his services is at this point. Other franchises rightly view Durant as a potential one year rental - he is in the final year of his current contract - and what the Suns are going to get back for him will likely underwhelm as a result.

Durant in full control of his own destiny in choosing next location.

Complicating matters even further is the latest from Shams Charania of ESPN, who has said that the Suns are very much working with Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman in deciding where the 36-year-old will call home next season. This means that - just as Suns' owner Mat Ishbia has claimed in the past - both sides are working together to find something that works for everybody.

But what that really means is the organization won't send Durant any place that he doesn't want to go - and now that rival franchises know that - it is going to push the cost for his services down even further. Not the kind of scenario Ott is going to want to walk into, or Booker in trying to get some players back who can actually help him compete next season.

This is also the reason why Durant wasn't traded to the Golden State Warriors at the deadline, in a move that ultimately cost the team the chance to add Jimmy Butler. In hindsight that might not have been a bad thing - the Warriors were much better but couldn't advance past the second round of the playoffs - but that deal fell apart because Durant didn't want to go there.

If he decides he wants to go to the San Antonio Spurs for example, there's every chance the Suns won't get much beyond Harrison Barnes and Devin Vassell back in return. Vassell is a fine player - but with Durant holding all the power and the Suns knowing they can't let this circus drag on much longer - it would likely stop them pushing hard for Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.

Which is why this is a massive issue for the Suns. They gave up so much to acquire him in the first place, and when all is said in done former player Mikal Bridges is the best they could hope to get back in any deal. Durant and Kleiman firmly hold all of the cards then, and that is not good news as the Suns look to re-tool around Booker.