The Kevin Durant sweepstakes is heating up, but the Suns are not settling.
It feels like we’ve entered the endgame of the Kevin Durant era in Phoenix. Hour by hour, minute by minute, the whispers grow louder, each report from a trusted source adding another ripple to an already unpredictable tide. The situation is fluid, volatile, and nearing its tipping point. Phoenix Suns GM Brian Gregory now finds himself in a rare position of power, with multiple offers on the table and the freedom to choose the path forward.
But with that power comes peril.
This isn’t just about picking the best deal. It’s about reading the room, mastering the timing, and knowing when to strike. Leverage is a fleeting currency in this league, and wielding it is an art form. Play it too slow, and the right deal evaporates. Move too fast, and you risk underselling a generational talent. The margin for error is razor-thin. One misstep, one misread, and the Suns could find themselves looking back on a pivotal moment with regret instead of resolution.
Sam Amick and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, two of the more plugged-in voices circling this ever-evolving saga, report that the Houston Rockets have officially put a firm offer on the table for Kevin Durant. It’s a clear sign that the market is crystallizing. But as of now, the Suns aren’t biting.
The Rockets have sent a firm offer to the Suns for Kevin Durant, but Phoenix is underwhelmed with Houston’s current valuation of the All-Star forward, sources tell @TheAthletic.
More Durant intel from @sam_amick and @JonKrawczynski https://t.co/VxSSDbFSMA
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) June 17, 2025
The Rockets and Suns have had meaningful discussions about a deal, team sources said. Houston has a firm offer on the table but Phoenix, to this point, has been seriously underwhelmed by it. The Spurs, league sources say, have been conservative in their pursuit of Durant.
As for the Heat, who would surely love to pair Durant with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, it remains to be seen if they have the sort of package, or incentive, to pull it off. A deal with Miami would likely include veterans like Duncan Robinson ($19.8 million next season) and Andrew Wiggins ($28.2 million), but it’s fair to question whether those types of players would truly make a difference in Phoenix.
Whether it’s a matter of value, fit, or simply timing, Phoenix is holding its ground. It’s a reminder that while the offers may be heating up, the Suns still believe they have the leverage to wait for the right one. The clock’s ticking, and the Rockets have made their move. Now it’s up to Brian Gregory to decide whether to hold, raise, or finally push all the chips in.
Why haven’t the Suns and Rockets struck a deal yet? It likely comes down to the pieces on the table.
While Houston has made a firm offer, multiple reports suggest it centers around the No. 10 overall pick and Jalen Green, but noticeably not Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard. And that may be the holdup. If you’re Phoenix, those missing names matter. The Suns aren’t just looking for volume. They’re looking for impact.
Brian Gregory has every right to expect more for a player of Durant’s pedigree, even if KD is closer to mercenary than franchise cornerstone at this stage.
Yes, Durant is no longer the centerpiece of a rebuild, but he’s still a premium closer. His ability to bend defenses and deliver in crunch time holds serious value for a contender, and the Suns are leveraging that.
Meanwhile, Durant’s preference for San Antonio remains in the background, but unless the Spurs are willing to put the No. 2 overall pick into the deal, that dream may stay just that. A dream. From Phoenix’s perspective, the return from San Antonio lacks the upside or allure of what other teams can offer.
Out of Kevin Durant’s preferred trade destinations, league sources tell The Athletic that he specifically wants to play for the San Antonio Spurs. pic.twitter.com/nVyOZYMsZZ
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 17, 2025
The rumors will keep swirling, and all signs point to a deal getting done this week. But at some point, the speculation ends and the trigger must be pulled. The challenge for Brian Gregory isn’t just finding a deal. It’s finding the right one. And until a package checks every box Phoenix is aiming for — whether it’s picks, players, or flexibility — Durant stays a Sun in name only.
The clock’s ticking.
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