The latest reports from Jake Fischer signal that we haven’t seen the last All-Star player moved by the deadline. Now that Luka Doncic is out of Dallas, it seems like every player out there can be traded. That excludes LeBron James and Bradley Beal, the only two players with a no-trade clause in their contract. The latest report coming from Phoenix says that the Suns are listening to offers for Kevin Durant. Will another blockbuster trade happen?
Phoenix Suns Are Listening to Offers for Top Superstar Kevin Durant
The Suns might not trade Kevin Durant. But the reports are that they are ready to listen to offers ahead of the Thursday, February 6th trade deadline. Their record suggests they are nowhere near contending for a title. They hoped Jimmy Butler would come in and change their outlook, but after a month of negotiating, they are not closer to making a Butler trade. In the meantime, teams around them got better, with the Spurs getting De’Aaron Fox and the Lakers Luka. So, what is this new openness to dealing Durant?
Either Butler in Phoenix or Durant Out?
With the latest reports suggesting the Suns are open to a Kevin Durant trade, one thing is obvious. For Phoenix, it is a life-or-death scenario. Either they find a way to get Jimmy Butler, or they have to entertain the possibility of sending Kevin Durant somewhere else for assets.
Durant is 36 years old, and he will be a free agent after next season. Suns owner Mat Ishbia has repeatedly said they want to sign Durant to a longer deal. But so far, that hasn’t happened. It seems even the most aggressive NBA owner will have to admit defeat and adhere to the new CBA rules.
The Suns, for their part, have shown interest in Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga if any deal materializes. That would be a logical path since Kuminga can fit a better timeline alongside Devin Booker and players like Ryan Dunn. Book is 28 years old, but the Suns can build around him for at least five more years.
The Usual Suspects Enter the Race
The Golden State Warriors have been a team hunting for a star for a while. There are reports that the Warriors tried to build a superteam by trading for both Kevin Durant and LeBron James. That seems less likely right now, but the Warriors will continue to show interest in Durant.
There will always be teams competing for Durant, but the latest trades can change how teams approach the deadline. The Spurs managed to land De’Aaron Fox to pair with their own superstar young player, and the Lakers got Doncic. The tight race in the West got tighter, which might make some teams reluctant to make a trade.
A few weeks ago, the race in the West seemed wide open, with only the Oklahoma City Thunder looking like a championship contender. Now, the Houston Rockets and the Memphis Grizzlies have proven they are worthy of mentioning. The Denver Nuggets finally found their stride. The Lakers and Spurs will try to make a push with their new players.
The Rockets always remain a dark horse candidate for Durant. They have been in the Kevin Durant trade rumors for several months. The moment they made a trade this summer to get more Suns picks, there were rumblings that the Rockets were preparing to make a move for Durant. While their management continues to say they will give a chance to the current team to show its worth, adding KD might be the final piece to make a push.
How Much Can the Suns Get For Durant?
The mere fact that the Suns are willing to listen to trade offers means there are higher chances of happening. A few weeks ago, the Suns and their owner wanted to double down on getting rid of every possible pick to form a superteam with Durant, Bradley Beal, and Jimmy Butler. But if Jimmy doesn’t end up in Phoenix, the Suns might do the inevitable and try to regain some assets. They cannot expect to get as much as Brooklyn got. But, the more desperate the Warriors get, the more assets they can get. Shams Charania reported that the Warriors have called teams about every possible All-Star and former All-Star player.
Despite Steph Curry saying the team should not sacrifice the future, it seems like the Warriors are eager to get another All-Star. As a reminder, the Nets turned KD and two swaps into seven extra first-round picks and regained control of their own first picks, two swaps, and Cam Johnson. If they trade Johnson by the deadline, they will add to the pile of assets to the Suns Kevin Durant trade a few years ago.
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