This one is interesting and fun. Let’s dive into it.
Welcome to Kevin Durant Mock Trade Week. As one of the most valuable assets the organization holds — and the most likely piece the Phoenix Suns could move — we’re putting together a weeklong series exploring trade possibilities to determine his true market value. If you haven’t read the lead-up articles laying the groundwork for this, I’d recommend catching up before diving in.
The Phoenix Suns have put themselves in a tough position. With being in the second apron and having a contract deemed untradable in Bradley Beal, the team has to find a way to shed salary and stay competitive so as not to upset franchise star Devin Booker. This leads the team to a tough decision, which they almost pulled at the trade deadline. That would be trading away star Kevin Durant, to gain any assets to retool this roster for the future.
As we all know, the rumors of Durant’s future have been a huge talking point. In today’s article, we will illustrate a scenario that shows that. We will dive into a three-team trade that would benefit every team involved.
Suns receive: Lauri Markkanen, 2025 First Round Pick (14th)
Jazz receive: Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, 2025 First Round Pick (2nd)
Spurs Receive: Kevin Durant, John Collins, 2025 First Round Pick (5th)
Why Does Phoenix Do This?
Phoenix Sends out: Kevin Durant
Return: Lauri Markkanen and pick 14
As I mentioned, the Suns are forced to trade KD to escape the hellhole they put themselves in. That being said, Mat Ishbia has made it known he still wants to be competitive, and getting the initial package from San Antonio does imply that. Adding Utah, a team with two contracts they want to get out of, makes them the third team to help facilitate these deals, so everyone gets what they want.
By bringing Lauri Markkanen to Phoenix, you add another supplementary scorer on the wing to play alongside Booker. At 7’0” tall, the Suns would replace Durant with a player who can similarly play the same role in his position, even if the production is not 100% replicated. His numbers over the last seasons have been impressive when he has been a major part of an offense. However, Markkanen, who dealt with injuries and a tanking team, did not get to showcase his best ability on his new extension. That being said, an 18-point-per-game scorer on his career, while shooting 45% from the field and 31% from three, can add value to this team.
A four-year $195 million extension gives the Suns some security in still wanting to compete, but with a contract that is not a max deal. Trying to move off Beal’s contract as well could land the Suns some cap space to reconstruct a roster around this core.
The Suns would also land the number 14 overall pick in this draft in this deal from San Antonio. This is the Atlanta Hawks’ first-round pick, and they landed it from the Dejounte Murray trade from a couple of offseasons ago. If the Spurs land Durant, this has no value to them, and they can add talent in free agency. For the Suns, though, this is a blessing in disguise. They get a lottery-level pick back, one they should have had if they had not traded it away in previous deals. Adding a lottery-level talent to this team is key for the Suns trying to escape the aprons. This team needs to be able to land a prospect who can make an impact immediately on a rookie-scale contract. Not only does it help the retool get younger, but for a team that will want to add around the core, having a key piece on a rookie deal makes it easier for a team to add someone.
I have someone the team should target at pick 14, but that is for a later article, you will see, so keep an eye out for that.
Why Does San Antonio Do This?
San Antonio sends out: Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, with both of their 2025 first-round picks #2 and #14
San Antonio Receives: Kevin Durant, John Collins, 2025 #5 overall pick
In this deal, the Spurs would send out the most talent and get the best return. Before Victor Wembanyama got injured, San Antonio was sitting at the 10th seed in the West, and after adding De’Aaron Fox, could have taken that leap. Sadly, due to the injuries, the team preserved its future and missed out on the playoffs. That being said, with the reports of Wemby being back by training camp, and now having Fox at the start of the year, they can set out on the right path to winning. Adding Kevin Durant helps you do that, as you get an upgrade of your wings and add another significant scoring threat to this team. By the way, you are trading those wings for this upgrade, so now you have flexibility out on the open market to add quality role players in free agency for this core.
Durant is an upgrade over Vassell and Barnes in the offense; he can bring on the wing for a Spurs team that could use that to complement the Fox and Wemby pick-and-roll duo. Durant is also on a one-year deal, giving a young, rising team in San Antonio the option to use him as a rental if they choose.
Adding John Collins is best for the Spurs, as he can slot into multiple positions with this core. The Spurs can run a big lineup with Durant and Collins together with Wemby, but not only that, they can run Durant at the four alongside either big and have Collins be a secondary backup center for the roster. Collins has been under the radar since he arrived in Utah and had one of his most efficient seasons, while being a solid interior paint defender and rebounder. The Spurs also need those key elements when Wemby is on and off the court. His role of replacing Sochan and Johnson as a rebounder and defender is matched, and he would present himself as more effective and efficient than those two guys.
In this deal, the Spurs also send out both first-round picks, but they do get one back from the Jazz at pick 5. Would the Spurs love to have another top pick on this roster? Sure, but does it make sense if they want to add Durant? Is there a fit concern with Fox, Castle, and the presumed selection in Harper if they keep it? Moving the second pick escapes those questions for this team. Not only that, but the players projected around pick five are better fits in my opinion for the direction of this core. In my opinion, a player in Kon Knueppel would fit better if this trade transpired for San Antonio than someone they could select at pick two.
Why Does Utah Do This?
Utah Sends Out: Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, 2025 5th overall pick
Utah receives: Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Jeremey Sochan, 2025 2nd overall pick
If I am the Utah Jazz, I am trying to get in this deal immediately. For a team that has no direction in a strong west, stripping down and resetting should be the main plan for this franchise. They do not have “their guy” yet, and getting in this trade allows them to finally address this issue. Giving up contracts in Markkanen and Collins, who do not help their path now, and would benefit teams on their own right, makes sense. A team with no direction can take flyers on prospects that have not reached their full potential, which is what Utah does here.
Vassell is a solid shot creator and scorer who has improved on the defensive side of the ball as well. For a team in Utah, he would add to the scorers they already have, but he has a higher floor than those guys coming in, as he has proved to be solid in San Antonio. He would add some of the scoring the Jazz miss from trading Markkanen, not only as a spot-up but catch-and-shoot scorer for the team. By bringing in Harrison Barnes, you are also adding a veteran who is a solid volume scorer and defender. He hit some big-time shots for the Spurs last season and could do the same for Utah. Not to mention, having a veteran in the locker room is key for young teams, something Barnes would add. He is also on an expiring contract, so if he plays up to his value and a team wants him around the trade deadline, the Jazz can flip him for more assets.
The Jazz would also be sending out one of their key interior defenders and shot blockers, John Collins. Now, they do not immediately replicate that by bringing in Johnson and Sochan, but they both present qualities Collins did not have and other impressive talents he lacked. Johnson and Sochan fall into this tier, where they looked terrific in their rookie seasons, but have not been able to replicate that production since. It makes sense with the addition of Wemby, but both players have yet to leap to show they can be a star alongside him.
Keldon Johnson is an intriguing forward who can rebound, play some solid defense, and is a solid slasher with a nice jump shot. Jeremy Sochan is a very talented forward who is known for his defense and solid passing ability. With Socahn also still being on his rookie deal, this presents the Jazz with the ability to add even more talent to their young core already. The Jszz can take multiple deals and wait for their development, which is what they do here.
The Jazz will also get the second overall pick, something they tried so hard to get this season. They tanked very blatantly, and it fell apart in their face as they went from the best odds to land the first pick, to number five. This deal would also save the disaster from this tank job that went wrong, and finally get out of contracts that do not fit your timeline. Drafting a player like Dylan Harper would be key for the Jazz, which does not have its franchise cornerstone again. From what we have heard and seen of Harper at Rutgers, that dream can remain true if the Jazz could get themselves in this deal.
Final Thoughts
Is this the best trade? No.
Is this the best you want to see for KD? No
But it is a deal that helps every team achieve its goals for next season while not tearing into each roster too much to dismantle its direction.
What do you think of this potential three-team deal?
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