The Phoenix Suns entered the season with hopes that they'd be in position to contend for a title by the time the trade deadline rolled around. Instead, they engaged in trade discussions regarding Kevin Durant.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst wrote that the Suns wanted to "keep the discussions closed," which they regretted. Phoenix had to find a third team to loop into a deal, and that is when word spread that the Suns were engaging in KD trade talks. Durant wanted to finish the season in Phoenix, and he did.
The Suns' season ended on Sunday, but technically ended a few days earlier when their chance to secure a Play-In Tournament spot diminished entirely. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday that Phoenix fired head coach Mike Budenholzer. Charania added that the Suns are expected to engage in conversations (again) about Durant. Windhorst reported that Rich Kleiman, KD's agent, planned to travel to Phoenix this week to speak with the organization.
Charania reported that several teams were interested in Durant before the deadline. The Timberwolves expressed the most interest (outside of the Warriors). The Knicks, Heat, Rockets, and Spurs were also interested. Barring how the playoffs go for those teams (minus San Antonio), they could revisit KD trade discussions this summer.
Suns might not get the return they want for Kevin Durant in trade
Durant, who will turn 37 before the start of next season, has one year left on his current contract. He's eligible to sign an extension this summer, a confirmation that a team will want before trading for him.
KD will have a say in where he's traded because of that. If you think he isn't going to be somewhere he can win another title, think again. Ironically, Golden State would've been a decent landing spot for him, but the Warriors pivoted to Jimmy Butler instead.
Windhorst reported that the Suns wanted a team to pay a "premium" price for Durant before the deadline. Phoenix wanted a package with current or former All-Stars. A team like Minnesota that was still trying to figure things out at the deadline might've been more willing to pay a higher price for KD in February versus the offseason.
The Suns did KD a favor by not trading him midseason, but they might regret that this summer, depending on the offers they receive. Phoenix wants to keep Devin Booker as its franchise cornerstone (another decision the organization could regret), so the Suns will want impactful players in a trade to pair alongside the star guard. Will that happen?
The Kevin Durant Sweepstakes will be in full force when the NBA offseason officially begins. The cards won't be in Phoenix's hands, but trading KD is a necessary move for a team that's strapped financially.