Despite being one of the biggest stars in the NBA, Kevin Durant may not yield a significant return for the Phoenix Suns if a trade occurs. According to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic, the Suns may need to lower their asking price in negotiations due to Durant's age and his expressed desire to play for a different team. This situation complicates trade talks, as the Suns initially set a high asking price for their 15-time All-Star.
The Suns' initial demands included the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft and/or promising guard Stephon Castle from the San Antonio Spurs, as reported by Kirk Goldsberry on The Zach Lowe Show. However, this request was not well-received by the Spurs, indicating that the Suns' high expectations may hinder potential deals. San Antonio is one of three teams on Durant's preferred trade destinations list, alongside the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Charania also mentioned that these three teams are where Durant would be willing to sign a two-year extension worth up to $122 million, which he becomes eligible for on July 6. However, the Suns have communicated to the six to eight teams seriously interested in Durant that they will pursue the best deal for their organization, regardless of whether those teams are on Durant’s preference list.
For any team considering a trade for Kevin Durant, assurances regarding his commitment are crucial. Given his age and history of injuries, teams must weigh how much they are willing to give up in a trade. At nearly 37 years old, turning that age on September 29, Durant ranks as the sixth-oldest active player in the NBA. His durability has been a concern, as he has missed at least 17 games in four of the last five seasons following his ruptured Achilles injury during the 2019 NBA Finals while with the Golden State Warriors.
Despite concerns about his age and injury history, Durant continues to perform at an elite level when on the court. In the recent season, he averaged an impressive 26.6 points, shooting 52.7 percent, along with 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game across 62 starts. His scoring ability remains one of the best in the league.
The Phoenix Suns currently face challenges in finding a path to success, primarily due to the significant financial commitments made to their roster and the numerous draft picks traded away to acquire stars like Durant and Bradley Beal. Even if Durant does not command a return close to the value Phoenix sent to acquire him from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2023, the Suns need to extract as much value as possible in any potential trade to begin their next phase of organizational development.
