The Phoenix Suns are reportedly facing a stark reality regarding star forward Kevin Durant’s trade value this offseason. According to NBA insiders, the team internally understands that the return package for the 15-time All-Star will fall significantly short of the blockbuster deal they struck with the Brooklyn Nets just over a year ago.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Suns “know they won’t be able to come anywhere close to matching” the hefty price they paid to acquire Durant in February 2023. While ESPN’s Brian Windhorst had previously suggested the Suns hoped for a “comparable package,” recent reports indicate a more sober internal assessment within the organization. Despite the acknowledged reduction in potential return, the Suns are reportedly “heartened” by the overall level of interest from potential trade partners.
The High Price Phoenix Originally Paid
To land Kevin Durant from Brooklyn, the Suns surrendered a substantial package:
Forwards Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson
Four unprotected first-round draft picks
A 2028 first-round pick swap
Recouping such a treasure trove of assets for Durant now is viewed as highly unlikely.
Why Durant’s Trade Value Has Dropped
Several factors contribute to Durant’s diminished value on the trade market compared to 2023:
Age: He will be three years older on opening night than when he was traded from Brooklyn.
Contract Status: Crucially, he is entering the final year of his contract. This makes him a potential one-year rental for teams not among his preferred long-term destinations.
Team Performance: The Suns missed the playoffs in 2024, finishing with a disappointing 36-46 record, which impacts the perception of the current roster’s ceiling with Durant.
What the Suns Are Reportedly Seeking
Despite the lower expected overall value, reports shed light on what the Suns are prioritizing in trade discussions. NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Phoenix is seeking “a measure of quality draft capital,” specifically including “at least one meaningful selection” in the 2025 draft.
Prioritizing draft picks over established veteran players aligns with the Suns’ reported need to reset their roster with younger, cost-controlled talent. Accumulating more draft assets could also provide valuable sweeteners for future trades, potentially helping the team move off Bradley Beal’s significant contract.
Adding another layer to Phoenix’s desires, a recent report cited by Yahoo suggests the Suns are actively targeting a center in any potential Durant deal. Sources indicate the Suns have communicated to interested teams that acquiring a center is a high priority, aiming to address the position’s perceived weakness since Deandre Ayton’s departure. While some observers question if prioritizing a center represents a premium return for a player of Durant’s caliber, it could make strategic sense if the team plans to retain the scoring punch of Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, needing defensive balance elsewhere.
Potential Suitors and Trade Buzz
Trade discussions surrounding Durant are ongoing, with several teams reportedly engaged. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been the “most aggressive” team pursuing Durant.
However, Windhorst and Shams Charania have also reported on Durant’s preferred trade destinations, which reportedly include the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. As of recent reports, none of these teams have submitted offers that the Suns have found satisfactory. Other teams like the Toronto Raptors (reportedly making their No. 9 pick available) and the LA Clippers are also mentioned as “lurking” in the trade landscape.
Despite the buzz, reports from sources like Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic indicate that a potential trade between the Suns and Timberwolves is currently “nothing close” to being finalized. This contrasts with earlier speculative timelines, highlighting the complexity and fluid nature of these negotiations.
GM Brian Gregory’s Challenge
For first-year general manager Brian Gregory, navigating the Kevin Durant trade situation presents a significant challenge. Durant’s exit is described by some as feeling “inevitable,” and his value has clearly decreased since his arrival in 2023. Gregory faces the difficult task of maximizing the return under these constrained circumstances. While a bidding war among interested teams could still emerge, helping to drive up the price, the expectation remains that the final package won’t remotely resemble what the Suns originally sacrificed to acquire the superstar.
