Reason why Kevin Durant deal took so long might just make sense now

The Phoenix Suns finally parted with Kevin Durant in a deal with the Houston Rockets, kicking off what could be a massive week for the franchise with the NBA Draft now upon us. The Suns have the 10th pick from the Durant trade, and already may have been beaten to the punch for a center who could help them next season.

Jalen Green was the headline player that came back in the trade, and he will be joined in The Valley next season by Dillon Brooks. Despite the Suns' offseason beginning nearly two months ago - and with Durant always going to be moved - it took a long time to get a deal over the line. We may just know why that was now.

There is minimal interest around the league for Jalen Green.

Of all the leaks that came out about where Durant was going to get traded to - and there were many - one of the more curious ones was that the Suns were already doing their homework to gauge Green's value with other teams. That came to light more than a week before a deal was actually done, and when it seemed like the San Antonio Spurs might actually be in pole position for Durant's services.

The fact that Green hadn't even landed in Phoenix yet - and they were already trying to see if they could get something of value for him back - does not paint a good picture. But we also now know that Durant himself was pushing to go to Houston and nowhere else, which hampered the Suns' abilities to get as much as they could back for him. If they turned down this reported offer, they're insane.

Ultimately Phoenix went through with the deal, although Green's fit with the current roster is also tricky. There is overlap between himself and Devin Booker, and fans do not want to see the franchise cornerstone return to a point guard role next season. Bradley Beal is also in the mix here, although keeping him happy is far from a priority for the front office right now.

Jrue Holiday was just sent to the Portland Trail Blazers from the Boston Celtics, and is the kind of veteran point guard the Suns would surely love to have as they re-tool around Booker. Giving up on the 23-year-old Green before he's ever even suited up for the team could end up backfiring massively however, and there's no need to go for an all-in move like that right now.

The Durant saga was one that went on too long, but at least now we have some idea why that was. It may be that Green ends up rehabbing his value massively while in Phoenix, to the point the organization can trade him for even more assets down the road. That doesn't seem likely right now however, so they're stuck with him until further notice.