The air in Phoenix feels thick with anticipation. A significant shift is looming for the Suns, and it centers squarely on superstar Kevin Durant. Reports indicate the team is deep in negotiations, inching closer to a potential trade that could reshape the franchise’s future overnight. It’s a volatile period where major news could break at any moment.
While trade discussions intensify, speculation runs rampant across the NBA landscape. Predicting the exact package that could pry a 15-time All-Star like Durant out of Phoenix is a complex puzzle, layered with salary cap intricacies, luxury tax implications, and the often-necessary inclusion of third or even fourth teams. However, exploring these possibilities offers valuable insight into Durant’s market value and the potential paths the Suns might take.
Over the past week, our team at Bright Side of the Sun has dived headfirst into crafting and analyzing various mock trade scenarios for Kevin Durant. These aren’t just random guesses; they’re creative explorations aimed at understanding how the Suns might maximize their return and navigate the choppy waters of a potential rebuild or recalibration. Importantly, recent reports suggest the Suns are prioritizing asset return over accommodating any of Durant’s preferred destinations, aiming to remain competitive rather than initiating a full teardown. Facilitating such a deal might even involve including other players like Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale to help teams manage salaries and assist the Suns in reducing their tax bill.
Now, we turn the spotlight to these proposed deals, inviting you to weigh in on which makes the most sense for the Suns and which you’d like to see happen.
Inside the Mock Trade Scenarios
Here’s a breakdown of seven hypothetical trades, ranging from realistic strategic pivots to more audacious proposals:
1. Durant to the Houston Rockets
Suns Receive: Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., 2025 First-Round Pick (10th)
Rockets Receive: Kevin Durant, 2025 First-Round Pick (29th)
Analysis: This deal injects crucial youth and flexibility into Phoenix. Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., alongside a lottery pick, provide assets the Suns desperately need. These pieces offer development potential, could be flipped later for different player archetypes, or used in future multi-team deals. The core goal here is breaking up Durant’s contract to restore cap flexibility, a key objective for a team burdened by the second tax apron.
Reader Grade Poll Results: Primarily ‘B’ (37%) and ‘A’ (24%).
2. Durant to the San Antonio Spurs
Suns Receive: Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, 2025 1st Round Pick (14th)
Spurs Receive: Kevin Durant
Analysis: While not a perfect haul, this trade offers a mix of established young talent (Vassell, Sochan) and another valuable lottery pick. It signals a potential “soft rebuild” for the Suns, easing current pressure and aiming for increased competitiveness in two to three years by prioritizing long-term growth over immediate contention. The Spurs have been mentioned as a team “lurking” with draft capital, though their current player offers reportedly haven’t been compelling enough to move the needle significantly.
Reader Grade Poll Results: Predominantly ‘C’ (35%) and ‘B’ (30%).
3. Durant to the Spurs via the Utah Jazz (Three-Team Deal)
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)
Analysis: This complex three-team structure allows the Suns to land Lauri Markkanen, a versatile 7’0″ forward who can provide a significant scoring presence similar to Durant, albeit not replicating his production entirely. Adding Markkanen brings size and scoring alongside Devin Booker. The cost is less draft capital directly coming to Phoenix compared to other deals, but acquiring a player of Markkanen’s caliber alongside a lottery pick is an intriguing path.
Reader Grade Poll Results: Split between ‘B’ (27%), ‘C’ (24%), and ‘A’ (23%).
4. Durant to the LA Clippers via the Utah Jazz (Three-Team Deal)
Suns Receive: Lauri Markkanen, Ivica Zubac
Jazz Receive: Norman Powell, Grayson Allen, Derrick Jones, Jr., 2029 First Round Pick (via PHX), 2030 First Round Pick (via LAC)
Clippers Receive: Kevin Durant
Analysis: Billed as a “recalibration” rather than a full reset, this trade addresses the Suns’ long-standing need for interior presence by bringing in Ivica Zubac, a starting-caliber center coming off a strong season. Paired with the skilled versatility of Lauri Markkanen, Phoenix gains size and balance. While acknowledged as potentially a long shot, the proposal’s math works, and it offers a logical case for each team involved, providing needed pieces while potentially allowing the Suns to fall below the dreaded second tax apron depending on other moves.
Reader Grade Poll Results: Highest ‘A’ grade (48%).
5. Durant to the Toronto Raptors
Suns Receive: RJ Barrett, Jakob Poetl, Gradey Dick, 2025 1st Round Pick (9th)
Raptors Receive: Kevin Durant
Analysis: Getting Jakob Poetl in this package is a key win for Phoenix, providing the consistent interior presence the team has lacked since Deandre Ayton’s departure. Poetl brings rebounding and efficient scoring (63.7% career FG%). Crucially, acquiring the 9th overall pick offers the Suns a rare opportunity for a high lottery selection, vital for restocking their depleted draft capital and adding developmental upside or a more polished prospect.
Reader Grade Poll Results: Primarily ‘B’ (33%) and ‘A’ (32%).
6. Durant to the Minnesota Timberwolves
Suns Receive: Julius Randle, Donte DiVicenzo, Mike Conley
Timberwolves Receive: Kevin Durant
Analysis: This trade isn’t about immediate championship contention but a deliberate “resetting of the window” and “reframing of the future.” While less star-powered than other returns, it brings capable veterans. Julius Randle provides frontcourt scoring, Mike Conley offers steady guard play, and Donte DiVincenzo adds valuable “culture-setting” intensity, defense, and a team-friendly contract. Minnesota is considered a frontrunner in the Durant sweepstakes, and acquiring Rudy Gobert from them could address the Suns’ center need directly, though this mock trade explores a different package.
Reader Grade Poll Results: Most commonly ‘C’ (31%) and ‘B’ (28%).
7. Durant and Beal to the Washington Wizards (Multi-Team Deal)
Suns Receive: Jordan Poole, Marcus Smart, Richaun Holmes, Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Saddiq Bey
Wizards Receive: Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal
Analysis: This is explicitly a “crazy” fantasy scenario, primarily driven by the difficulty of moving Bradley Beal’s massive contract and no-trade clause. While highly unlikely to happen in reality, the trade’s mechanics highlight a crucial nuance of the new CBA: second-apron teams can aggregate salaries if the trade drops them below the apron. For the Suns, this theoretical deal achieves multiple goals: a good return for Durant, shedding Beal’s contract, and potentially dropping below the second tax apron. It’s a stark illustration of the assets the Suns would ideally want and the complexities involved in managing their cap sheet.
Reader Grade Poll Results:* High ‘A’ grade (52%), but also significant ‘F’ votes (14%).
What’s Next for Phoenix?
These varied scenarios underscore the pivotal decision facing the Suns’ front office. Do they prioritize maximizing their return for Durant with a focus on young assets and draft capital, signaling a soft reset? Do they aim for a player closer to Durant’s current star power, attempting a recalibration around Devin Booker? Or do they break down Durant’s value into multiple flexible pieces to regain control over their salary cap and get below the burdensome second tax apron?
The path chosen will speak volumes about the organization’s direction under General Manager Brian Gregory. Can he execute the shrewd negotiation required to navigate this landscape? The NBA playoff outcomes this past season may also play a role, potentially creating desperation among teams that fell short, which could increase the Suns’ leverage in trade talks.
The clock is ticking, potentially with the NBA Draft looming or even sooner. Historically, the previous Father’s Day brought the seismic Bradley Beal trade that altered the franchise’s trajectory. Keep your eyes open and notifications on – the next chapter of the Phoenix Suns’ story might be written any day now.
Which path do you think is most likely? Which one should the Suns take? Share your thoughts below.
