The Phoenix Suns deciding to trade Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets has shaken up the Western Conference, if not the league as a whole. What’s more, it still feels surreal. Perhaps that’s just a reflection of Durant’s reputation as one of the league’s all-time greats. However, it’s more likely to be because Houston’s interest was supposedly lukewarm.
There were myriad factors that led to the Rockets being an ideal place for him to launch the next stage of his career. Yet, Houston’s sincere reluctance to break up their young core was an obelisk of a hurdle. It’s similar to the reason the San Antonio Spurs opted against making an official offer and why the Miami Heat had theirs brushed aside.
Rudy Gobert’s Role In Failed Timberwolves-Kevin Durant Trade
While the Rockets, Heat and Spurs wanted to cling to the fountain of youth, the Minnesota Timberwolves faced a much different obstacle in their negotiations with the Suns.
“The Timberwolves were concerned about trading for Durant when Minnesota wasn’t on his preferred list of destinations. In addition, the Suns desired Rudy Gobert in trade talks, and losing their French defensive anchor to pair Julius Randle and Kevin Durant in the frontcourt together wasn’t seen as an ideal pairing defensively,” HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto reports.
Minnesota can’t be faulted for not being too excited about the duo of Durant and Julius Randle. Both players are upper-level scorers and Durant in particular. Durant’s outside shooting ability balances out with Randle’s downhill attack. At the other end, they can both be solid when engaged. Furthermore, Durant has a knock for turning away shots, ranking seventh among active players in career blocks (1,273). Nevertheless, neither player is considered a defensive-stopper.
Just about the opposite is the case for Rudy Gobert.
Gobert, who’ll turn 33 years old this week, just completed his 12th NBA season. In recent years, his on-court reputation has been dinged up by both cherry-picked lowlights and real concerns about his ability to guard out in space. However, he’s a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Defensive selection. The Suns are looking for a center upgrade and Gobert can undoubtedly still be an elite defensive anchor.
Khaman Maluach to the Suns?
Though they acquired a defensive anchor in Dillon Brooks, Phoenix didn’t receive a center in their trade with Houston. Nonetheless, the Rockets were willing to part ways with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With that selection, the Suns are expected to prioritize big men. Notably, Duke center Khaman Maluach may be available in that draft range.
At 7-foot-1 and 253 pounds with a 7-foot-7 wingspan, Maluach’s size for the position is ideal. Now, his raw averages don’t jump off the page. Still, he averaged 1.3 blocks per game and deterred players from attacking the rim with his length, focus and timing. That doesn’t mean that’ll be the next Gobert (who is listed at 7-foot-1 and 258 pounds) but he does have similar traits.
Even better, he has softer hands than the Frenchman, and could be an elite lob threat at the next level.
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