Kevin Durant ‘Wants’ to Join Young Western Conference Team
Heading into the 2025 NBA offseason, it’s hard to imagine that Kevin Durant will remain with the Phoenix Suns. After the team reportedly took calls on him before the trade deadline, any relationship between superstar and franchise is broken, and he will be the biggest name to watch this summer.
The Suns have finally found themselves in the NBA Play-In picture, but even if they make the postseason they will have a first-round date with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which will likely all but end their season. At least it will be quick and painless.
The Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and even New Orleans Pelicans have all been floated as possible landing spots for Durant. Unlike teammate Bradley Beal, Durant doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but with only one season left on his contract, he could force his way to whichever team he prefers. One veteran writer thinks Durant values one team above all the others.
“It’s no secret that Phoenix will split with Kevin Durant this summer,” outlined Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix. “Durant has one year left on his contract and even approaching 37 still has incredibly high value. I think-and this is just my opinion-that Durant wants to wind up in Houston. I think if the Rockets wanted Durant before the trade deadline, it would have happened. Durant has a lot of respect for Ime Udoka and in Houston he could be a missing piece to a title contender. I’d keep an eye on that after this season.”
Related: Devin Booker Sends Brutally Honest Phoenix Suns Message, ‘It’s Just The…’ Between Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Cam Whimore, and Reed Sheppard, the Rockets have plenty of young talent, and Durant’s playstyle would fit in well. Houston has the means to trade for him as well. The Rockets have long been listed as the most likely landing spot, and sometimes shocking results simply don’t happen. It makes sense that Houston is the favorite to land KD from the Suns.
Phoenix Suns may need to change their stance on one of their star players
The Phoenix Suns have made a late season push to make the play-in tournament, but don’t let that distract you from the disaster this campaign has been. Beating the Cleveland Cavaliers is great and everything – but when it means you’ve put yourself into the 10th spot in the Western Conference – it puts the accomplishment in perspective.
This season is likely to end in disappointment, and that could only be ramped up if the Suns do actually make the playoffs. A date with the Oklahoma City Thunder the most likely outcome at that point, and it is hard to see how the Suns could both score consistently while also defending their basket against perhaps the deepest team in the league today.
The Suns may have spoken too soon on Kevin Durant’s future.
Durant was awesome against the Cavaliers – pouring in 42 points – and was everything the franchise needed him to be and more in that moment. Kind of like the 36-year-old has been since getting to The Valley, only it feels like fans and the front office alike pick and choose when to back Durant and his incredible powers.
Yes he’s not single-handedly winning games for his side like he used to, but that doesn’t mean he’s not doing it at all. You also don’t pay Durant to come in and be the talismanic veteran everybody flocks towards as he leads them to the promised land. His style has always been more about letting his game do the talking, being honest with the media and getting into arguments on X with fans.
