Kevin Durant shocked the NBA world when he was traded from the Nets to the Suns ahead of the NBA trade deadline in 2023. Will he be on the move less than a year and a half later?
The Suns’ early exit from the 2024 playoffs has led to speculation that the team could try to retool around Devin Booker, which could mean releasing the 35-year-old Durant, who still has two years and roughly $106 million left on his contract.
Phoenix may not be willing to give up the “big three” of Durant, Booker and Bradley Beal, and with new coach Mike Budenholzer, it would be wise to stick with the three for at least a season.
Still, multiple NBA teams may try to lure Durant away from the Suns, and his name will likely be floating around in rumors at least until Durant or Phoenix decides to stay.
As Kevin Durant enters his 18th NBA season, here’s a look at the latest trade rumors surrounding him.
Read more: Why the Rockets-Nets trade is fueling Kevin Durant trade speculation
Tracking Kevin Durant trade rumors
Suns owner: Phoenix loves Kevin Durant
Date: June 26
Source: Suns owner Matt Issiba
Suns owner Matt Issiba took to social media to express his disgust over reports regarding Kevin Durant’s future. He cleared up the misunderstanding and suggested the two sides were hoping to negotiate again ahead of next season.
NBA Draft night is awesome, everyone has their drama and storylines to talk about, some right, some wrong.
It’s my turn. Phoenix loves Kevin Durant, Kevin Durant loves Phoenix, and we’re in contention for a championship this year because we have a team that can win it. Gotta do it…
— Matt Ishbia (@Mishbia15) June 26, 2024
Therefore, unless Ishihara changes his mind, Durant is unlikely to resign.
Suns want to move on from Kevin Durant now
Date: June 26
Source: Stephen A. Smith for ESPN
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has argued that the Suns don’t want to break up any of their core members just yet, but his colleague Stephen A. Smith is hearing the opposite.
“I don’t care what Phoenix says,” Smith explained on ESPN’s First Take, “they want Kevin Durant out right now.”
If that’s the case, why aren’t the Rockets making a move for Durant? According to Smith, Houston may not actually want the 35-year-old All-Star. They’re eyeing another target in Phoenix.
“Houston doesn’t want Kevin Durant,” Smith said. “Ime Udoka might want him, but organizationally, they know they’re not there yet. So their plan is more long-term and they would prefer Devin Booker. They know it’s unlikely they’ll get him, but that’s what they want.”
That’s a reasonable thought for the Rockets, as Booker is still only 27 years old, but it seems unlikely the Suns would let him go unless they were to make a full-on deal, so it’s unlikely we’ll see Booker in red and white during the 2024-25 season.
Mikal Bridges trade: details | valuation | Knicks cap space
The Rockets will likely aggressively pursue upgrades in the 2024 offseason.
Date: June 25th
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski for ESPN
The Rockets may like Durant, but they’re not particularly committed to acquiring him, and according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the team plans to use its abundant draft picks to aggressively acquire noteworthy veterans to bolster its roster.
The Rockets were interested in Durant but are determined to use the Suns’ pick to sign him elsewhere, per ESPN sources. Phoenix has made it clear it wants to bolster its ranks again, and Houston is now looking for a major addition.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
It’s not a guarantee the Rockets will make a move, as the team needs to see what’s available on the market, but if Durant doesn’t leave during the offseason, the Rockets could halt their pursuit and turn their attention to another target.
But what if they take a patient approach? Wojnarowski said they should look to Durant and, in a few years, Devin Booker.
Rockets want to trade Kevin Durant
Date: June 25th
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski for ESPN
Shortly after the Nets traded Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, the Rockets struck a deal with Brooklyn that gave the Nets control of their own draft picks in future seasons, in return for Houston receiving some of the first-round picks Phoenix gave to Brooklyn in the Kevin Durant trade and giving the Rockets control over the Suns’ future.
As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports, there was a reason for Houston’s madness: The Rockets wanted to acquire Durant themselves in a trade and believe it would be “a lot easier” if they controlled the 2023 picks Phoenix received in the Durant trade that sent them to Brooklyn.
What does it mean for the Rockets to acquire the Suns pick? Houston wants to trade for Kevin Durant, and that would be much easier if they could get the Suns pick back to the Nets, which they gave up in the Durant trade. The Suns have said they’re keeping Durant for now, but that could change…
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
The Suns may not want to trade Durant just yet, but if Houston’s move causes Phoenix to change their mind, the Suns could take the lead.
