Phoenix Suns Face Kevin Durant Trade Decision
As the NBA offseason approaches, speculation surrounding the Phoenix Suns and a potential trade involving superstar Kevin Durant continues to mount. After a disappointing season culminating in a quick playoff exit, many anticipate the Suns will explore moving the forward to recalibrate their roster and financial outlook. The challenge for Phoenix isn’t just finding a trade partner, but determining the strategic approach, and some are suggesting the San Antonio Spurs’ handling of the Kawhi Leonard situation in 2018 offers a compelling blueprint.
The Spurs’ Bold Move with Kawhi Leonard
In 2018, Kawhi Leonard, then a cornerstone of the Spurs franchise and a former Finals MVP, requested a trade with only one year remaining on his contract. Despite a clear preference from Leonard to land in Los Angeles or other select destinations like Sacramento or Boston, San Antonio took a firm stance.
Prioritizing maximum asset return over the player’s wishes, the Spurs ultimately traded Leonard (along with Danny Green) to the Toronto Raptors – a team reportedly not on Kawhi’s preferred list. In return, San Antonio acquired DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a future first-round draft pick (which they used on Keldon Johnson). The move was seen as a way to avoid a full rebuild initially, bringing in a proven All-Star in DeRozan.
The key takeaway from the Spurs’ decision was their unwavering focus on securing the best available package, regardless of Leonard’s comfort level. This was despite Kawhi’s much longer and more impactful history with the Spurs compared to Durant’s relatively brief tenure in Phoenix.
Why the Spurs Blueprint Applies to the Suns
Like the 2018 Spurs, the Phoenix Suns find themselves needing to move a star player but are also reportedly not ready for a complete teardown. Their expensive “Big Three” roster featuring Durant alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal has failed to deliver the expected success, and the team has limited future draft pick control, having “mortgaged its future” to build the current roster.
Given this context, the argument is that the Suns should echo the Spurs’ strategy: prioritize acquiring the most valuable assets possible in a Durant trade, even if it means sending him to a team he might not prefer. Durant’s performance in Phoenix hasn’t granted him the leverage to dictate his next destination in the same way some superstars might.
Teams like the Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, or even the Raptors were mentioned as potential suitors who might offer strong packages but aren’t necessarily Durant’s top choice. Accepting the best offer from any team, just as the Spurs did with Toronto, could be the most prudent path for Phoenix to acquire pieces necessary for future contention or roster flexibility.
Potential Durant Trade Scenarios & Suitors
While Kevin Durant has reportedly listed San Antonio, Miami, and Houston among his preferred landing spots, Phoenix’s priority remains getting the “best deal.” This opens the door for various potential trade partners.
San Antonio is indeed mentioned as a potential destination, aligning with KD’s reported preference. A hypothetical three-team framework involving the Brooklyn Nets has been discussed, where:
The Phoenix Suns could receive assets like Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, plus multiple draft picks.
The San Antonio Spurs would acquire Kevin Durant.
- The Brooklyn Nets would facilitate the deal, potentially taking on Grayson Allen’s contract in exchange for a valuable draft pick (like the 14th overall pick).
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This specific proposal highlights how multiple teams could benefit, with the Nets gaining draft capital they seek and the Spurs acquiring a star.
Another team positioned to potentially make a compelling offer is the Memphis Grizzlies. Recent moves, including trading Desmond Bane for significant draft capital (including Phoenix’s unprotected 2026 first-round pick) and acquiring salary-matching pieces like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, could give Memphis significant leverage. Trading Durant to Memphis and allowing Phoenix to reacquire their 2026 pick could “shift the equation” for the Suns and provide the Grizzlies with the star power of Durant alongside Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., despite Memphis not being on Durant’s initial preferred list.
Other teams like the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves have also been linked to Durant, further expanding the potential market.
Ultimately, the decision facing the Suns involves maximizing their return. By adopting the strategic blueprint the San Antonio Spurs used when trading Kawhi Leonard – focusing solely on the asset haul rather than player preference – the Suns could secure a trade package that best positions them for success moving forward, whether that involves acquiring win-now talent or future draft assets to facilitate a necessary reset.
