The Phoenix Suns are under .500 and just 11-19 after an 8-1 start to the season. They are all-in on winning and have mortgaged their future for a chance at contention. It is why fans hear the Jimmy Butler rumors, but the Suns cannot trade Bradley Beal without his permission. That seems unlikely, which could force Phoenix to take a different path.
Their Big 3 is not creating a title contender. Beal hasn’t been a star for years and has a full no-trade clause. The three-time All-Star kept it from Washington to Phoenix, so why would he part with it now? The Suns are stuck as an average team with an aging core and insufficient depth to save them.
They should explore trading Kevin Durant before the deadline. The 36-year-old is eligible for a massive extension this offseason and cannot play like a superstar forever. Phoenix has limited draft capital. Their only hope at serious contention is trading KD, and this franchise makes the most sense.
Suns should trade Kevin Durant to the Rockets before the deadline
Houston sits second in the Western Conference and is loaded with young talent. General manager Rafael Stone does not want to shake things up before Feb. 6, but the Rockets are legit contenders. If they add a go-to scorer, they may win a championship in 2025. That is reason enough to push in before the deadline.
Durant would be the best player on the market if the Suns make him available. The future Hall of Famer averages 27.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 36.2 minutes per game this season. He is still an elite shooter and scorer. Several teams would be offering significant packages to get KD.
The Rockets have a pick swap with the Suns in 2025 and own their first-round draft choice unprotected in 2027 and 2029. Phoenix would love to get those selections back, especially if they are trading Durant. This is the perfect deal for both sides.
The Suns do not need those draft choices if they get a massive package for KD, but it improves their optionality. Phoenix is unlikely to move Devin Booker, but they do not want to be giving lottery picks to Houston. The Suns may miss the Play-In Tournament with Durant, so they could easily be out of the postseason without him. That is why they should engage the Rockets and see if they want Durant before the deadline.
The Phoenix Suns do not want to take a step backward. It would be owner Mat Ishbia admitting he was wrong in acquiring KD and Bradley Beal. He is not afraid to spend, but the Suns need more depth to complement their top-end talent. They must build a better overall roster and trading Durant is the only logical way to accomplish that goal.
It will be interesting to see what the Suns do before the deadline. They will certainly discuss every option but are severely limited unless they move Beal. He appears uninterested in leaving the franchise, which could force the front office into drastic measures. Only time will tell.