Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson recently showed love to Kevin Durant and congratulated him for winning the Magic Johnson Award. In the process of praising Durant on X, Johnson also tweeted about how he wished to see the Phoenix Suns star don the Purple and Gold.
“Congratulations to the 2-time Magic Johnson Award winner Kevin Durant. I’m so excited Kevin Durant won this award because is he always so gracious to the media and fans, I love his game, who he is as a man, and all the great community work that he’s doing in the DMV area with the youth. Kevin is an outstanding entrepreneur and a big Commanders fans. I wish he was a Laker! lol.”
The Magic Johnson Award is handed out to players who not only excel on the court, but also graciously carry themselves with media and fans. Durant’s work off the court with the community certainly caught the eye of the Lakers legend.
However, the idea that Johnson presented of seeing Durant step on the court while wearing the Lakers’ purple and gold is truly an interesting one for the fans.
The Phoenix Suns forward has been one of the most interesting players to follow over the last few years. Having skipped across the league in an attempt to be a part of a contending side, the forward is expected to be on the lookout for another place to call home in the summer.
Among the trade rumors linking Durant with different teams, the Houston Rockets are the team that has presented the most viable package to acquire. But it wouldn’t be out of the question for the Lakers to make Johnson’s wish come true.
Landing Kevin Durant Presents An Impossible Challenge For The Lakers
The notion of the Los Angeles Lakers landing Kevin Durant seems borderline ridiculous at first glance. Given the current state of the team’s salary cap since acquiring Luka Doncic, it is clear that the team is in need of offloading salaries rather than taking on a bigger one.
However, a team featuring LeBron James, Doncic, and Durant as the big three is certainly a fantasy for some fans. In light of this, we aimed to formulate a trade package that could bring the Suns forward over to the sunny beaches of Los Angeles.
Proposed Trade Details
Phoenix Suns Receive: Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2026 First-Round Pick Swap, 2031 First-Round Pick
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Kevin Durant
While such a trade could work on paper, the Lakers would face devastating consequences throughout their season. With effectively no backup power forwards, playmakers, or wing defenders, the Purple and Gold would be spiraling to the bottom of the West.
Additionally, considering the shortage of draft capital the Lakers have, giving up more would simply force the team to rely on expiring contracts and free agents to build their roster for future campaigns.
Meanwhile, the Suns would benefit from acquiring a blend of young and veteran talent. This trade would effectively reset the Suns’ rebuild and turn them into a competitive side again.
