The Phoenix Suns might need to send a thank-you letter to Giannis Antetokounmpo if a Kevin Durant trade happens before the draft. The Bucks star has seemingly hinted at staying in Milwaukee after ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania previously reported that Antetokounmpo was "open-minded" to leaving for the first time in his career.
Over the past several days, attention has shifted from Antetokounmpo's future to Durant's. On Wednesday, Charania reported that Durant and his agent, Rich Kleiman, are "sifting through trade scenarios." He added that KD and the Suns will work together on trade destinations.
Phoenix wants to trade Durant by the draft, which begins with the first round on June 25. The odds of that happening would've taken a hit if Giannis had requested a trade or indicated that he wanted to leave Milwaukee. The teams that could trade for KD, such as the Spurs or Rockets, would go after Giannis. Depending on how long the Giannis trade saga wore on, Durant's value would dip.
The writing was on the wall that the Suns would trade KD this offseason after making him available at the deadline, much to his surprise. There was some uncertainty among the fan base that a trade might not happen after Phoenix's season ended, and all went quiet, causing concern that the Suns would try to run it back. Trading Durant will help ease some of the financial pressure that Phoenix is under, and it could begin to rebuild the draft assets it has lost over the past few years.
Giannis staying with Bucks is best-case scenario for Suns and Kevin Durant
Antetokounmpo hanging out in Milwaukee, at least for the first part of the 2025-26 season, is good news for Phoenix. No matter that it might not be good news for Giannis, who wants to win a second championship. The odds of that happening with the current version of the Bucks aren't high, even in a weakened conference. Those are his problems to worry about, though.
All the Suns should care about now that they have a new GM and head coach is securing the best-possible package for Durant. Perhaps it will come from the Spurs and involve the No. 14 pick in this month's draft, or maybe the Knicks will change their minds and pursue KD, sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the desert.
The next couple of weeks should bring plenty of entertainment, and hopefully, part of that entertainment won't involve Giannis deciding to leave the Bucks. Stay in Wisconsin, at least until the Suns trade Durant!