The Phoenix Suns continue to work the phones in hopes of finding an ideal trade partner for Kevin Durant, but to this point that has not happened. Working in their favor here is the fact that several teams appear to really want to acquire the 36-year-old, although there was a recent setback as well when the player went public with his lack of interest in joining the Minnesota Timberwolves.
A deal is going to come together - most likely ahead of the NBA Draft - and the Suns can then set about remaking their roster around Devin Booker, the going nowhere Breadley Beal and first time head coach, Jordan Ott. Fans are divided on what the organization will ultimately get back for Durant, but the latest from Zach Lowe of The Ringer has the team bullish on the return they're looking for.
Suns looking for Stephon Castle or second overall draft pick.
Lowe was on his podcast - which you can listen to here - in the aftermath of Game 5 of the NBA Finals - and has so often been the case recently - the subject of Durant came up. Perhaps it is the lack of movement on Giannis Antetokounmpo leaving the Milwaukee Bucks that has them all fired up, but according to Lowe it is an extremely valuable asset they want from the San Antonio Spurs.
On the Zach Lowe show, Kirk Goldsberry (used to work in SA front office) confirms what Gambo thought last week - Suns want 2nd pick or Stephon Castle for Kevin Durant. https://t.co/7WmOFbRj1b pic.twitter.com/WjjdzQbCrp
— Paul Garcia (TheSpotUpShot.com) (@PaulGarciaNBA) June 17, 2025
Which is as cheeky as it is outrageous if you really think about it. Maybe the front office just watched as the Memphis Grizzlies received four first round picks - one of which somehow belongs to the Suns - plus a swap for Desmond Bane, and decided they too could crank up the demands. But Durant is 36-years-old, a past his prime star who has not worked out in Phoenix or Brooklyn with the Nets.
The Spurs are trying to flip into win-now mode around Victor Wembanyama, so perhaps the Suns believe they're in a stronger position than they really are. San Antonio also traded for All-Star point guard De'Aaron Fox during the season - has a Rookie of the Year point guard in Castle - and now has the opportunity to take yet another guard in Dylan Harper with the second overall pick.
You know what we'd call that? A great problem to have, and one that if it became too much would likely net the Spurs more than just Durant back in return. Would you trade any of those three guards mentioned straight up for Durant? Even if you knew he would commit to a two-year extension with your franchise, as Durant is apparently up for doing in Texas? Exactly.
Even more worryingly, given the Miami Heat's apparent reluctance to part with their own promising big man Kel'el Ware after a nice rookie season, the market for Durant is surely going to begin to dry up soon. It's great to see them thinking big on this one, but the Spurs aren't going to entertain any such move for the second pick or Castle. Better get used to the idea of Devin Vassell and Harrison Barnes.