The Phoenix Suns moved a step closer to ending the Kevin Durant saga that has consumed the franchise since the trade deadline on Monday, as one of the favorites to acquire him was officially ruled out of the race. The Minnesota Timberwolves - according to Shams Charania of ESPN at least - holding no appeal to the 36-year-old whatsoever.
That apparently leaves the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs as the three teams standing that Durant is willing to re-sign with beyond next season. There are others of course - the Toronto Raptors could yet spring for a Kawhi Leonard like rental - but it is looking increasingly likely Texas or South Beach will be home for Durant next season.
Suns would look to flip Jalen Green should they acquire him.
Of the various packages potentially available to Phoenix, the Rockets looks the most appealing. That could change if the Heat decide to part with rookie big man Kel'el Ware - but as of this moment - there has been zero traction on that. The Rockets however can give the Suns some of their future first round draft picks - and to make the money work - would also be sending out Jalen Green.
Like it or not, the 23-year-old is the best player that the Suns could get in a Durant deal today. The only youngster with upside who could rival that is Devin Vassell of the Spurs, with rookie sensation Stephon Castle also apparently off the table at this point. We've had our criticisms of Green, but perhaps he wouldn't be long for The Valley anyway.
Story: Reporting on Kevin Durant trade talks, how the Desmond Bane trade happened and what’s next for the Grizzlies and Magic, Jonathan Kuminga suitors, three Hawks and two Celtics free agents, Pelicans, Cavs, and a Day’Ron Sharpe interview on @hoopshype. https://t.co/3Vlnx9Lpm1
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 16, 2025
Michael Scotto of Hoopshype dropped some fresh Durant intel - which you can check out above - and nestled in there was the surprising fact that the Suns have already explored options for Green throughout the league if they do end up with him. Even better, there look to have been some suitors for the mercurial scorer, which could offer the Suns a way out of their current mess.
Adding him to a roster than already features Devin Booker and Bradley Beal - with no established center - is a recipe for further disaster. But if they could turn Green into a big man - or even a defensive wing with some similarities to their beloved Mikal Bridges - that would be seen as a massive win out of this hugely unsuccessful era.
Obviously a deal is not even close to being done yet, but it is a positive update. Even more so when you consider the Suns could also get back some of their own picks, plus potentially another young player with upside such as Cam Whitmore, Reed Sheppard or perhaps even Tari Eason.
It is also exciting to think about how that could free up Beal to be more involved in the offense, and to get back to being the max player he has shown he can be in the past. All of this is hypothetical as of this moment - but if this is the front office's idea of being proactive this offseason - then it is hard not to be impressed with the homework they're doing on life after Durant right now.