Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant was in high demand before to the NBA trade deadline. Many clubs in the league contacted the Suns to ask about Durant’s availability since Phoenix was in a rut and wanted to break away from its existing big three. However, Phoenix reportedly has his eye on one club in particular—the Houston Rockets—who should be remembered as trade negotiations resume this winter.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN reports that the Suns started negotiating with Houston over the 15-time All-Star. No agreement was reached because the Rockets expressed greater interest in
Devin Booker, but that interest was promptly canceled. However, Phoenix has a compelling argument for trying to lure Durant to the Rockets this summer.
You can see why Houston, who is now third in the Western Conference standings, would want to acquire a guy like Durant, who is still among the league’s most versatile scorers. Big man Alperun Şengün is already an All-Star on the Rockets’ roster, and they also have other up-and-coming players like Jalen Green and Amen Thompson. However, Durant’s shooting would be a great addition to a squad that is strong in defense, youth, and agility but lacking in shooting. Even while Durant isn’t as good as he was in his greatest days, he still ranks among the NBA’s top players in that category, averaging 26.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 52.9 percent from the field.
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant was in high demand before to the NBA trade deadline. Many clubs in the league contacted the Suns to ask about Durant’s availability since Phoenix was in a rut and wanted to break away from its existing big three. However, Phoenix reportedly has his eye on one club in particular—the Houston Rockets—who should be remembered as trade negotiations resume this winter.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN reports that the Suns started negotiating with Houston over the 15-time All-Star. The Rockets expressed greater interest in Devin Booker, but that interest was quickly snubbed, thus no trade ever materialized. However, Phoenix has a compelling argument for trying to lure Durant to the Rockets this summer.
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Is Kevin Durant moving?
You can see why Houston, who is now third in the Western Conference standings, would want to acquire a guy like Durant, who is still among the league’s most versatile scorers. Big man Alperun Şengün is already an All-Star on the Rockets’ roster, and they also have other up-and-coming players like Jalen Green and Amen Thompson. However, Durant’s shooting would be a great addition to a squad that is strong in defense, youth, and agility but lacking in shooting. Even while Durant isn’t as good as he was in his greatest days, he still ranks among the NBA’s top players in that category, averaging 26.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 52.9 percent from the field.
Other people have been interested in Durant. The Golden State Warriors inquired about Durant perhaps rejoining Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in the Bay Area. Additionally, the Minnesota Timberwolves made a desperate attempt to get Durant in order to team him up with Anthony Edwards. Additionally, Durant will have the last say over his future destination because to his no-trade clause.
However, McMahon’s research indicates that Phoenix would want it to be Houston, “who control a significant chunk of Phoenix’s future first-round capital (2025 swap rights, 2027 and 2029 picks, all unprotected) via a deal with the Brooklyn Nets.”
“At this point,” says McMahon, “the Suns’ position puts them in serious jeopardy of sending a lottery pick to the Rockets in the upcoming draft.”
Not having your own draft capital makes it difficult to rebuild quickly, and Phoenix would want to try their hand at the lottery this season rather than give that pick to the Rockets, who are on the rise. The Suns would certainly prefer not to move Booker, a player who is still square in his prime. However, it is unclear if they will be able to persuade Houston to offer that kind of deal in exchange for Durant.
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