The Phoenix Suns paid handsomely to acquire Kevin Durant from the Nets after Mat Ishbia bought the team. Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four first-round draft picks, one first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks were the price. The Suns were acquiring an all-time great, but they quickly regretted it.
Things quickly began to unravel when Phoenix traded for Bradley Beal. They were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Timberwolves in 2024 before not qualifying in 2025. KD is back in the trade rumors and significant changes are coming this summer after a devastating season.
The Suns still have multiple draft picks owed from the original deal, including their first-rounder this year. It took a coin flip on Monday as Phoenix and Portland finished with the same record, but it was just more pain for the Suns.
Suns will give 9th pick to Rockets from Kevin Durant trade
Phoenix won the flip, which puts them ninth in the order before the lottery. They have a 3.8 percent chance at moving up to number one overall, but it will not be the Suns who get Cooper Flagg. The selection was traded unprotected in the Durant deal. The Nets later moved it to Houston to get their own draft choices back, so the Rockets will select for the Suns in the lottery.
The Suns have already given up Bridges, Johnson, the draft rights to Noah Clowney, and the ninth pick in 2025. They still owe their first-rounder in 2027 and 2029 plus a first round swap in 2028 and two second-round selections. This deal is a massive reason why the future is so bleak for the Suns. They will not be done paying until after KD’s 40th birthday.
Phoenix will likely be forced to trade Kevin Durant this offseason. It will allow them to dodge the second tax apron and recoup some assets to improve their roster. The Suns cannot run it back after a nightmare season. Massive changes are needed, and trade KD is likely the biggest.
Hopefully, the franchise can get a monster haul and find a way to build a contender around Devin Booker. If not, things could quickly turn bleak in Phoenix. Nobody is rooting for that scenario, but Mat Ishbia may be forced to rebuild whether he wants to or not.
The Phoenix Suns are one of many teams to watch this offseason. Expect changes and be sure the franchise’s future rests with how things go this summer. It could be another nightmare.