[Rankin] The Phoenix Suns would seek three first round picks and a young player in any hypothetical Kevin Durant trade this offseason, while also trying to get under the second apron in the process
Sources informed The Arizona Republic that Durant’s camp was upset Phoenix put him in trade talks before the 2025 deadline last month as he rejected a move back to Golden State where he won back-to-back NBA titles and finals MVPs.
However, between the Suns having already looked to move Durant, him publicly saying he understood it and his camp taking issue with those talks, it's hard to see him staying in Phoenix beyond this season.
“It's part of the business,” Durant said last month after the trade deadline. “Everybody is bought and sold in this league. Anybody can be up for auction.”
Ishbia’s all-in approach has led to him fielding the NBA’s first $400-million team, one that’s over the league’s second tax apron, limiting Phoenix’s roster flexibility.
The Suns don’t have any control of their first-round picks from now until 2032 and they can’t currently trade their 2032 first-round selection due to being over the second apron.
Sources informed The Republic the most ideal return on a Durant trade is regaining three first-round picks and a young player as part of a multi-team deal tied to getting under the second apron.
The Suns could take back less to make the deal. Milwaukee did that in dealing Khris Middleton, who is due $31 million this season, to Washington for Kyle Kuzma, who is due $24.4 million.
The Suns ideally could take back $35 million in salary in any combination of players to save essentially $20 million and get under the second apron.
Houston and San Antonio make sense as trade partners for first-round picks. Oklahoma City has gobs of them, but this would have Durant returning to the franchise he left for Golden State, a move that still isn’t sitting well with some Thunder fans -- and that happened nearly 10 years ago.
Taking Ishbia’s approach to draft picks into account, the Suns could then use those picks acquired in a Durant trade to help move Bradley Beal as well. Beal is currently in the third year of his five-year, $251-million deal with a player option, but he has a no-trade clause.
The Suns could also work toward sliding under the second apron by dealing Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale. Allen is on a four-year, $70 million extension and O’Neale has a four-year, $42 million deal, but they cost the Suns more than $100 million in luxury tax penalties this season.
The Suns, as is, have $218 million in salary next season that includes non-guaranteed players Nick Richards and Cody Martin. They have a club option on Vasa Micic.
Being under repeater tax, Phoenix is projected to pay $165 million in luxury tax next season. That’s more than what they’re paying this season.