Kevin Durant Trade Ideas for the Phoenix Suns
One of the biggest storylines of this NBA off-season is the inevitable trade of Kevin Durant. The Phoenix Suns traded for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in 2023, giving up the majority of their assets trying to form a championship contender. After failing to make a deep playoff run last year and missing the playoffs entirely this year, they are left with no flexibility to retain their big three and bolster this roster. Their only option is to break it up and retool this team around Devin Booker.
According to ESPN’s Insider Shams Charania, Kevin Durant prefers to be traded to the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, or the San Antonio Spurs and would be willing to commit to long-term. The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly one of the more aggressive teams in trade talks, but Durant has no desire to play for them, according to Shams. Ultimately, I believe the Suns will try to accommodate to Durant’s requests but will ultimately do what’s in their organization’s best interest.
I broke down some trade proposals from the teams listed above plus a few wild card teams that could make sense. As a reminder, the Suns are over the second apron, which means they cannot aggregate players in this trade, but they are allowed to take multiple players back as long as the incoming salaries don’t exceed that of the outgoing salary.
Trade Options - Miami Heat
Scenario 1
Miami Heat receives:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
Phoenix Suns receive:
Terry Rozier: 1 Year Left - $26.6M, $24.9M Guaranteed
Duncan Robinson: 1 Year Left - $19.9M, $9.9M Guaranteed
Kel’el Ware: 3 Years Left - $16.2M, Rookie Contract, Last Two Years are Team Options
2029 1st Round Pick
2031 1st Round Pick
Scenario 2
Miami Heat receives:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
Phoenix Suns receive:
Andrew Wiggins: 2 Years Left - $58.4M, Last Year is Player Option
Duncan Robinson: 1 Year Left - $19.9M, $9.9M Guaranteed
Kel-el Ware: 3 Years Left - $16.2M, Rookie Contract, Last Two Years are Team Options
2029 1st Round Pick
2031 1st Round Pick
The Miami Heat have the chance to create a big-three with Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro led by legendary coach Erik Spoelstra. If I’m the Heat, Herro and Adebayo are the guys I would not be willing to include in the trade in order to contend for a title. The Suns, however, should ask for Kel-el Ware, as they have been searching for a starting-level center for years.
Adding Duncan Robinson to the trade gives flexibility for both teams. It allows the Heat to match salaries with Durant’s contract and gives the Suns the option to waive him and save $10M, as only $9.9M of his contract is guaranteed. Phoenix could get under the 2nd apron if they decide to waive Robinson.
After including Ware and Robinson to the trade, we still need close to $30M to match Durant’s salary. The Heat have a few options in front of them by adding a couple more players, but I think trading away four or more players for one would really cut into their depth. Therefore, Andrew Wiggins or Terry Rozier makes the most sense here. Wiggins would give the Suns a veteran wing presence, while Rozier would give them another ball-handler, both of whom could be a starter immediately.
The trickiest part to these trades is determining the value of these players and how many picks to include. Kevin Durant is still an elite player at 37 years old, and the Suns aren’t receiving his level of talent in return. I believe two 1st round picks could do the trick and be enough for the Suns to accept.
Overall, these trades could benefit both teams. The Miami Heat could become contenders once again and the Phoenix Suns would add a couple of starters to their roster while gaining a lot of flexibility with their salary cap situation along with adding a couple more draft assets.
Trade Options - Houston Rockets
Scenario 1
Houston Rockets receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
Phoenix Suns receive:
Nic Claxton: 3 Years Left - $69.4M
Dillon Brooks: 2 Years Left - $43.1M
Maxwell Lewis: 2 Years Left - $4.6M, $100K Guaranteed, Last Year is Team Option
2025 Draft Pick #19 (via BKN)
2027 Own 1st Round Pick (via HOU)
Brooklyn Nets receive:
Jalen Green: $105.3M, Last Year is Player Option
Scenario 2
Houston Rockets receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
Phoenix Suns receive:
Lauri Markkanen: 4 Years Left - $195.9M
Jock Landale: 2 Years Left - $16.0M, Non-Guaranteed
2027 1st Round Pick (via UTA)
2029 1st Round Pick (via UTA)
Utah Jazz receives:
Jalen Green: 3 Years Left - $105.3M, Last Year is Player Option
Jabari Smith: 1 Year Left - $12.4M, Rookie Contract
Aaron Holiday: 1 Year Left - $4.9M, Team Option
Scenario 3
Houston Rockets receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
Phoenix Suns receive:
Dillon Brooks: 2 Years Left - $43.1M
Jabari Smith Jr.: 1 Year Left - $12.4M, Rookie Contract
Reed Sheppard: 3 Years Left - $35.8M, Rookie Contract, Last Two Years are Team Options
Jock Landale: 2 Years Left - $16.0M, Non-Guaranteed
2027 1st Round Pick (via PHX)
The Houston Rockets have taken massive leaps the last two years, going from 22 wins in 2022-23 to 52 wins and 2nd in the Western Conference this year. They have seven players 24 years old or younger and are in prime position to make a consolidation trade to go all-in on a star player; enter Kevin Durant. If the Rockets are making this trade, they need to keep Fred VanVleet, who provides veteran leadership and championship experience, Amen Thompson, who is among the best perimeter defenders in the league, and Alperen Sengun, a rising star in his own right.
Jalen Green makes a lot of sense as the centerpiece of this trade. He has shown flashes of brilliance but still lacks the consistency to be a top two option on a championship contender. With that said, he doesn’t really fit with the Phoenix Suns next to Devin Booker, so a third team would need to be involved, and the Brooklyn Nets and the Utah Jazz are teams that make the most sense for Green.
In a three-team trade with the Rockets and Nets, Phoenix’s main target should be Nic Claxton, a starting-level center that could be a great fit with Booker and Beal. The Rockets can send Dillon Brooks to the Suns to match salaries, and Green would be sent to the Nets. The Nets will be taking on more salary and would need to send a smaller salary like Maxwell Lewis to the Suns as well. The Suns would be getting their center and a much-needed perimeter defender. Adding in a first round pick from each team should finish off the trade and get the job done.
In the three-team trade with the Rockets and Jazz, the Suns would be targeting Lauri Markkanen to form another big three that would perhaps be a better fit overall even though the talent level isn’t quite as high. The Rockets would send Jock Landale to shore up the Suns’ center position and match salaries, while sending Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, and Aaron Holiday to the Jazz. This is a big win for everyone involved. The Suns don’t get as much flexibility with this trade, but they get their 3rd option of the future and depth at center. The Rockets land Kevin Durant, and the Jazz move off of Markkanen’s large contract for two rising star players.
If the Rockets aren’t looking to trade Jalen Green, they could make four-for-one trade instead. Sending Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr, Reed Sheppard, Jock Landale and a 1st round pick can make the salaries work. This would give the Suns depth at positions of need and young players to develop. They could also demand one of their own picks back as they would not be getting an established star in return.
Overall, trading with the Rockets may be slightly difficult, but the Suns could end up getting the most in return. The Phoenix Suns would add depth and some flexibility while returning to a playoff-caliber team and they have the potential to get one or more of their own picks back.
Trade Options - Minnesota Timberwolves
Scenario 1
Minnesota Timberwolves receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
2025 Draft Pick #29 (via SAS)
Phoenix Suns receive:
Rudy Gobert: 3 Years Left - $109.5M, Last Year is Player Option
Donte DiVincenzo: 2 Years Left - $24.5M
Rob Dillingham: 3 Years Left - $22.2M, Rookie Contract, Last Two Years are Team Options
2025 Draft Pick #17 (via MIN)
2028 1st Round Pick (via MIN)
Scenario 2
Minnesota Timberwolves receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
2025 Draft Pick #29 (via SAS)
Phoenix Suns receive:
Naz Reid: Player Option Declined and a Sign-and-Trade
Donte DiVincenzo: 2 Years Left - $24.5M
Mike Conley: 1 Year Left - $10.8M
2025 Draft Pick #17 (via MIN)
2028 1st Round Pick (via MIN)
Scenario 3
Minnesota Timberwolves receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
2025 Draft Pick #29 (via PHO)
Phoenix Suns receive:
Julius Randle: 1 Year Left - $30.9M, Player Option
Donte DiVincenzo: 2 Years Left - $24.5M
Mike Conley: 1 Year Left - $10.8M
2025 Draft Pick #17 (via MIN)
2028 1st Round Pick (via MIN)
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made it to the Western Conference finals the past two years but have failed to get over the hump and make a finals appearance. It is reported that they are the most aggressive team in trade talks with the Suns, but Durant is not interested in playing for them. However, if the trade is in the best interest for Phoenix, then we may see Durant in a Timberwolves uniform. With that said, we can expect one of Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, or Julius Randle plus Donte DiVincenzo as the main pieces in the trade.
There are reports that the Suns have been interested in Gobert in recent years. They have a chance to finally land him as the rim protector they need. They would need to add DiVincenzo and Rob Dillingham to match salaries and provide depth.
Reid is expected to decline his player option and resign a long-term contract. To include him in a trade would require a sign-and-trade. Pairing him with DiVincenzo and Mike Conley would get the job done.
Julius Randle also has a player option, but it’s uncertain whether he will opt in or out of it. Down the stretch of the season and the playoffs, Randle found a lot of success with this team and the team’s chemistry was much improved. This is probably the least likely scenario, but Randle, DiVincenzo, and Mike Conley would make this trade work.
Comparing the value is more difficult here, as Conley is 38 years old and had a major decline this past season. One of the three bigs plus DiVincenzo would provide the Suns with depth and starting-level talent. I still don’t think the value here matches the value that Durant would bring to the Timberwolves. Therefore, I added a pick swap in this year’s draft, where they move up 12 spots, plus an additional 1st round pick.
Trade Options - San Antonio Spurs
Scenario 1
San Antonio Spurs receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
Phoenix Suns receive:
Devin Vassell: 4 Years Left - $105.7M
Stephon Castle: 3 Years Left - $32.2M, Rookie Contract, Last Two Years are Team Options
Jeremy Sochan: 1 Year Left - $7.1M, Rookie Contract
Blake Wesley: 1 Year Left - $4.7M, Non-Guaranteed
Scenario 2
San Antonio Spurs receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
Phoenix Suns receive:
Harrison Barnes: 1 Year Left - $19.M
Keldon Johnson: 2 Years Left - $35.0M
2025 Draft Pick #2: Dylan Harper (via SAS)
Scenario 3
San Antonio Spurs receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
2025 Draft Pick #29 (via PHO)
Phoenix Suns receive:
Rudy Gobert: 3 Years Left - $109.5M, Last Year is Player Option
Harrison Barnes: 1 Year Left - $19.M
2025 Draft Pick #17 (via MIN)
2028 1st Round Pick Swap (via MIN)
Minnesota Timberwolves receive:
Keldon Johnson: 2 Years Left - $35.0M
Blake Wesley: 1 Year Left - $4.7M, Non-Guaranteed
2025 Draft Pick #2: Dylan Harper (via SAS)
Kevin Durant to the San Antonio Spurs is one of the more interesting options here. The Spurs would be pushing for a deep playoff run next year with this trade but would have to give up some assets for this to happen. The biggest question is how much of the future are the Spurs willing give up for possibly two years with Durant? If I’m the Suns, I want one of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle or the 2nd pick in this year’s draft, which would end up being Dylan Harper. Now, if the Spurs are going after Durant, that would signify they are ready to contend, so trading Fox would be a questionable decision, since he’s an already established, all-star level point guard. So, if the Spurs aren’t trading away Fox, that leaves Castle or Harper. Harper has the higher ceiling, and both players can play on or off the ball.
In the first scenario, Devin Vassell is the big contract that is used for salary matching and would be a great fit off the bench behind Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Then, they can add two former lottery picks in Jeremy Sochan and Stephon Castle, both of whom fill positions of need and can start for the Suns. Blake Wesley is added to match the salary as well and his contract is non-guaranteed, giving the Suns some financial flexibility. This deal saves the Suns $6.3M, with the opportunity to save an additional $4.7M by waiving Wesley.
Harrison Barnes fits a position of need at forward after moving on from Durant. He has one year left on his contract, which could open up a lot of cap space if the Suns decide not to extend him. Keldon Johnson would be a good bench role player and provides much-needed depth. Adding the 2nd pick in the draft is where the biggest value comes into play in this trade. Dylan Harper has immense amount of potential and could be impactful immediate as their starting point guard.
If the Timberwolves miss out on Kevin Durant, they can still be involved in the trade. One of their biggest needs is point guard as Mike Conley continues to age. While San Antonio gets Kevin Durant and the Suns’ 1st round pick in this year’s draft, the Suns would get Rudy Gobert, Harrison Barnes, the 17th pick in this year’s draft, and a 2028 1st round pick swap via Minnesota. Then, the Timberwolves would receive Keldon Johnson, Blake Wesley, and the 2nd pick in this year’s draft, which will be Dylan Harper. The Suns get their frontcourt to pair with Booker and Beal, while the Timberwolves land their point guard of the future.
Trade Options - New York Knicks
Scenario 1
New York Knicks receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
Phoenix Suns receive:
OG Anunoby: 4 Years Left - $175.9M, Last Year is Player Option
Mitchell Robinson: 1 Year Left - $12.9M
Tyler Kolek: 3 Years Left - $7.0M, Rookie Contract, Last Year is Team Option
2026 1st Round Pick
We have already heard that the New York Knicks are an unlikely destination for Kevin Durant. However, if anything changes with that decision, they have the assets to make this work. This would be an all-in move for a possible two-year window to chase a title. With the Celtics ultimately taking a gap year after Tatum’s injury, the Knicks would likely be the favorite to make it out of the Eastern Conference.
I don’t think Karl Anthony-Town would be on the table after trading for him last summer. So, a trade including OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Tyler Kolek matches the salaries and fills their biggest needs. The Suns get their center, a legitimate 3-and-D wing, a point guard that provides some playmaking off the bench, and a future 1st round pick.
Trade Options - Los Angeles Clippers
Scenario 1
Los Angeles Clippers receive:
Kevin Durant: 1 Year Left - $54.7M
Phoenix Suns receive:
Norman Powell: 1 Year Left - $20.5M
Bogdan Bogdanovic: 2 Years Left - $32.0M, Last Year is Team Option
Kris Dunn: 2 Years Left - $11.1M
Drew Eubanks: 1 Year Left - $4.8M, Non-Guaranteed
2030 1st Round Pick Swap
2031 1st Round Pick
The LA Clippers have not been mentioned as a team interested in trading for Kevin Durant. However, pairing him with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden would be intriguing, especially if you can extend Durant and Harden through the 2026-27 where all three of their contracts would expire, giving them a two-year championship window. Ivica Zubac would likely be the Suns’ main target, but the Clippers shouldn’t involve him in the trade after the breakout season he had. Plus, he now has one of the most valuable contracts in the league.
A trade involving Norman Powell, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, and Drew Eubanks could get the job done here. The Suns save $8M in this deal, plus the option to save another $4.7 if they waive Eubanks, giving them financial flexibility moving forward. The Suns would land their point guard in Kris Dunn, who was also one of the best defenders in the league, plus some depth on the wing in Powell and Bogdanovic. Adding a 1st round pick and a 1st round pick swap could entice the Suns enough to take the deal.