The Phoenix Suns’ trade deadline plans went through multiple variations. Their initial chase for Jimmy Butler floated around Bradley Beal’s no-trade contract. However, with their team continuing to drown in losses and Beal not budging, the Suns had to take a different route. And so shocking reports claimed they began listening to offers for Kevin Durant. The motive wasn’t because they wanted to offload KD. But that didn’t sit well with Durant.
Shams Charania proclaimed the Slim Reaper feeling ‘blindsided’ by the organization entertaining trade offers for him. Notably, until the final moment, the Golden State Warriors offered them Butler in exchange for Kevin Durant. The 36-year-old though wasn’t interested in a reunion. Still, it appears the damage was done.
Recently, James Jones, the basketball executive for the Suns got to speak about Durant’s recent frustrations. While he did understand his possible emotions, the former NBA forward made sure to issue the trust the franchise has in the Slim Reaper.
James Jones on Kevin Durant’s potential frustration over trade rumors: “I would be frustrated too if we weren’t winning and a lot of the blame, a lot of the noise was around me….He knows where we stand. He’s pivotal for us, he’s one of our leaders, he’s our All-Star” pic.twitter.com/OQZNsKLSXl
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 8, 2025
“I would be frustrated too if we weren’t winning and a lot of the blame, a lot of the noise was around me. I know Kevin understands that. He’s just like everyone else. But he’s hooping and he’s a pro. And he’s been above it his entire career. So he knows where we stands. He’s pivotal for us, he’s one of our leaders, he’s our All-Star,” James Jones said about the Suns forward.
Durant deleted all of his pictures with the Suns on Instagram. That was seen as proof of his resentment toward the franchise listening to trade offers for him. Furthermore, he’s been out for the last two games with an ankle sprain. However, with them rejecting the Warriors’ Butler lure, there is now room to repair any tensions that might exist.
Another reason is if KD understood the Suns’ helplessness at that point.
Why the Suns had to entertain a possible Kevin Durant trade
The plan was never to try to get rid of Kevin Durant. In the offseason itself, Matt Ishbia released a public sweet stating the team doesn’t want to part ways with the Slim Reaper. He responded like a man with the confidence of a franchise behind him. Durant is averaging almost 27 points and has been a standout during a shaky campaign for Phoenix.
In order to improve the team, they added Nick Richards. The center from Charlotte did have an impact. But it wasn’t enough to transform the franchise. Hence, after numerous attempts to include Beal’s contract in a possible blockbuster trade, the Suns had no choice. Durant’s $198 million deal and more importantly his reputation as a high-calibre forward was the only leverage the Suns had.
The core of the trade deadline for Phoenix was to make significant changes to their roster to get out of the play-in picture and make a postseason chase. Hence, towards the end, they did what they never wanted to do. Kevin Durant was seen as the only way out for the Suns. In the end, the franchise may be glad that they didn’t accept any offers.
However, while KD could play out his contracts, such situations don’t just fade away from memory. He has only one more season left in his contract. Following that, the Suns risk losing the lethal forward for nothing. So if his anger does persist, the franchise could be looking to trade for him over the summer.
It all hinges on how Kevin Durant takes to the situation in Phoenix after a dramatic trade deadline.
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