Phoenix can fold or dig its heels in and risk waiting to trade Durant for a little while longer.
After giving up the entire future of the franchise, Mat Ishbia’s chance at redemption was getting good value back in a Kevin Durant trade this summer. Well, the way it looks right now, all the offers the Phoenix Suns are getting for the future hall of famer are underwhelming.
“Prepared to be underwhelmed” is our Arizona sports mantra. https://t.co/Re4RgVQiuN
— Zona (@AZSportsZone) June 18, 2025
The Suns have been operating with the deadline that Kevin Durant needs to be traded by the end of this week. Phoenix is reportedly looking to recoup some draft capital and make a pick higher than 29 in the NBA Draft next week. For the Suns, trading Kevin Durant is priority number one this offseason since Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause, but is it worth trading him now and getting back less of a return?
“I would not rule out the Suns not being able to get a trade they like and having to make a decision, like do we not trade him at all,” – @WindhorstESPN on the Kevin Durant trade landscape. pic.twitter.com/o9QoCsOvjS
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 17, 2025
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst threw out the idea of the Suns not trading him at all, a colossal failure for the Phoenix Suns after months of build up to this week where a deal was expected to get done. While not trading him at all would be a failure, waiting to trade Kevin Durant would not be. It is not ideal, especially if you cannot get another pick in the draft next week, but if no team is desperate enough for Durant’s services to make the Suns an offer, the front office should wait.
The Trailblazers decided to wait to trade Damian Lillard, and got back Deandre Ayton, Jrue Holiday, and draft compensation because they waited. Waiting is risky, and it puts the entire franchise in limbo, but is going through on an underwhelming Durant trade worse? If the Suns decide to wait to trade Durant, could he be open to more teams like the Timberwolves or the Clippers? If contending teams strike out in free agency, will that make them desperate and overpay for Durant?
The Suns are in a stalemate with Durant and other teams around the league. Phoenix can fold, or dig its heels in and risk waiting to trade Durant for a little longer.
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