The situation is unsalvageable between Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns, and a trade is imminent. Now, with just one year left on his deal, worth $54.7 million, Durant has become one of the hottest trade targets of the summer as questions loom about his basketball future.
Even at 36 years old, with 16 years of experience, Durant proved he can still play at a high level last season with averages of 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 52.7% shooting. But after the Suns shopped Durant at the deadline, things were never the same, and the consensus is that he’ll be spending next season on his fourth team since 2019.
While the Durant sweepstakes are still ongoing, we know that he’ll want to land somewhere that he can win alongside a trusted star teammate, and he will be very particular about his choice. The Suns, however, will be even more demanding about what package they receive in exchange for Durant. To recover some of their lost assets, the Suns must only accept a premium package for the former MVP, one that includes young players and picks to elevate their future. To avoid historic scrutiny, they cannot follow the Mavericks’ example and accept anything less than what their star is worth.
Knicks’ Package Is Not Good Enough
Suns Receive: OG Anunoby, Miles McBride, 2026 First-Round pick (via Wizards)
Knicks Receive: Kevin Durant
This deal might look decent at first, but the Suns would be foolish to accept. With the franchise in such a desperate state, this package will just not cut it for Durant, who is still one of the best players in the world. While OG Anunoby is a nice two-way player, he’s far from a superstar and is incapable of carrying a team offensively like No. 35 can. Miles McBride is a solid young guard, but he’s a bench player, at best, whose impact is minimal on the court.
Most egregious is the return of picks in the deal. For Durant, the Suns should demand no less than two first-rounders (unless they get a star in return). After giving up all of their draft capital to assemble their failed roster, the most important thing for Phoenix is to recover their asset pool, and a single first-round pick would be underselling what they could acquire for Durant. If the Knicks sweetened the offer by including their 2030 first-round pick, or perhaps Mikal Bridges, it might be enough to get the Suns to listen.
Clippers’ Offer Will Get Rejected
Suns Receive: Norman Powell, Derrick Jones Jr., Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2026 Second-Round pick (via Grizzlies), 2031 First-Round pick
Clippers Receive: Kevin Durant
The Clippers don’t have many draft picks left to trade, so they will naturally try to avoid giving up two first-rounders for Durant. On the surface, while Norman Powell, Derrick Jones Jr., and Bogdan Bogdanovic might seem appealing to help the Suns regain some depth, it’s not equal in worth to Kevin Durant, who instantly elevates any team he’s on to contender status.
Besides being 32 years old, Powell is also a role player and not really someone who can move the needle for a playoff team. The same could be said for Bogdan Bogdanovic, who played just 30 games for the Clippers this season. Derrick Jones Jr. is only 28, but he’s a role player at best with a career scoring average of 7.2 points per game. For a guy of Durant’s stature, the Clippers would have to give up way more, including their 2030 First-Round pick and potentially even a player like Ivica Zubac, who could become the Suns’ new starting center.
Timberwolves Can Offer A Subpar Package
Suns Receive: Naz Reid (Sign-and-Trade), Donte DiVincenzo, Rob Dillingham, 2026 Second-Round pick (IND/MIA/SAS), 2029 Second-Round pick (MIN)
Timberwolves Receive: Kevin Durant
Naz Reid is one of the summer’s biggest free agents, and the Timberwolves could use him in a sign-and-trade as a clever way to add Durant without giving up any member of their core. Unfortunately, not even Donte DiVincenzo is enough to make the trade acceptable for Phoenix. For giving up a superstar, the Suns would want a potential All-Star in return, not a few role players who would make a minimal impact.
The Timberwolves obviously are not giving up Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, or Julius Randle in a deal for Durant, but at the very least, they would need to offer a first-round pick in the deal (2028 first-rounder) to go with the two seconds. Needless to say, it would take a lot for the Suns to help transform the Timberwolves into a borderline superteam, and if they wanted to get involved, the conversation would likely have to start with players like Jaden McDaniels or Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
