Trade, the blockbuster that, at times, gives the playoff season a run for its money. And now, there is one hot topic in the NBA that is sending tremors through the league. Any guesses? Well, this conversation has been on and off since the February trade window shut down. Yes, it’s about Kevin Durant’s future with the Phoenix Suns. For Brian Windhorst, the math is clear: “I don’t know if he’s going to stay with the Suns.” But what’s actually going on here? Is a trade on its way for the veteran forward?
ESPN’s Shams Charania informed Pat McAfee that KD could “definitely be traded this offseason.” But that’s not all; the senior insider bluntly stated that this deal and their plan to get Durant backfired on the current Suns. At the same time, Charania shared: “There was mutual interest at the trade deadline with Golden State, Minnesota, New York, Houston, Miami, and San Antonio.” Meanwhile, the latest edition of Get Up featured a discussion on this matter, where Shams and other experts shared their input.
Charania informed that the Phoenix Suns are going to do a full evaluation from a roster perspective. But Kevin Durant? “He’s going to have a wide market. A lot of it is going to depend on how the playoffs go,” the insider informed. “Which teams get eliminated early? Who feels after their playoff run? Whether it’s the first round, second round, or conference finals. That they’re Kevin Durant away from winning a championship. That’s really the story behind these playoffs.”
Mar 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, Jay Williams sees the Houston Rockets as a perfect landing spot for Durant, a hired “mercenary” to elevate their roster. But for Mat and Justin Ishbia, trading Bradley Beal is off the table. That no-trade clause will keep him around. Moreover, Devin Booker hasn’t hit his expected stride, possibly playing out of position. So, the best trade chip? Kevin Durant. Monica McNutt sees Minnesota as a dark horse for Durant. The bond between KD and Anthony Edwards intrigues her. The big question? What assets would the Timberwolves sacrifice?
Now, Shams Charania says that May would “1000%” play the most important role in KD’s decisions and the Suns’ decision. Besides, during the trade deadline, the 36-year-old veteran had cleared that the Warriors weren’t his spot. Coming back to the theory of “mutual interest,” the insider said: “My understanding is that’s where the mutual interest was in February, and that’s where I expect it to be again in the offseason. But it all comes down to how these teams fare in the playoffs and what ends up happening.” He also reveals a plot twist—this time, Durant and the Suns are on the same page. With one year left on his deal, he has some leverage.
Amidst Kevin Durant trade rumors, Devin Booker makes honest plea
The most expensive roster of the NBA, the Phoenix Suns‘ downfall, is worth studying in a Science lab. A first-round sweep last year was bad, but this 11th seed status? Even worse. Under Mike Budenholzer, they’ve struggled below .500, with injuries and role shifts sinking Beal’s impact. Meanwhile, Durant’s rocky ties with Budenholzer have only fueled the chaos. So much so that Phoenix quietly shopped him, just months after vowing he’d stay.
Meanwhile, after winning the game vs. the Milwaukee Bucks on March 24, Devin Booker‘s voice had new energy. He strongly urged: “This is what the city’s been waiting on. It’s been tough, it’s been a grind. We’re in a tough situation right now, but I think this is what we’ve been waiting on the whole time.” Sadly, his hopes went downhill as further games rolled out, thus clinching one loss after another.
Devin Booker says you might need to adjust your approach on the ol’ trade machine!
(via @ringer)https://t.co/BdOUMzFl4y pic.twitter.com/QUXjcsFfoX
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) April 1, 2025
The Suns are on the edge, fighting for a play-in spot with a brutal road ahead. Even if they qualify, they must survive two do-or-die games just to face the top-seeded Thunder. So, Devin Booker knows the stakes: “We put ourselves in this situation, so it feels like the playoffs already. We’ve got to have every game.” Booker also added, “We know we have the talent in the locker room to do it. It’s going to be tough, but we’re here for it.” Moreover, DBook’s frustration was clear when he said. “It’s upsetting. When you’re playing with this type of talent, you expect a championship.”
So, the Phoenix Suns are running out of time, and the pressure is suffocating. Kevin Durant’s future hangs in the balance, but he reportedly has five teams with mutual interests. Meanwhile, Booker fights to keep hope alive. But talent alone won’t fix this mess. With the playoffs looming, Phoenix faces a brutal truth: win now, or watch it all crumble.
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