Kevin Durant’s future in Phoenix is once again a hot topic, and this time, it looks like the Phoenix Suns are standing their ground. After missing the playoffs in one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory, the franchise has tough decisions to make.
The latest buzz is that if the Suns do trade Durant, they won’t settle for anything less than what they gave up to get him. That’s a bold stance and it’s setting the tone for what could be a wild offseason.
Phoenix Suns Want Full Value if They Part Ways With Kevin Durant
Despite being 36, Durant remains one of the NBA’s top scorers, averaging 26.6 points, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game in the 2024–25 season. And the Suns know exactly what kind of weapon they’d be handing over if they let him go.
According to NBA insiders, Suns owner Matt Ishbia and the front office won’t trade the two-time NBA champion unless they get back the kind of value they gave up to land him—namely, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, and four unprotected first-round picks. That’s a steep price, but the Suns aren’t looking to rebuild. They want to stay competitive, and giving Durant away for cheap just isn’t part of the plan.
The franchise recently fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season, marking the third straight offseason the Suns have changed coaches. They ended the season 36-46 and made history in the worst way – becoming only the third team ever to start 8-1 or better and still miss the playoffs.
While it looks like the Suns and Durant might part ways, it’s not a sure thing. The two-time NBA Finals MVP reportedly didn’t like being floated in trade talks during the deadline and had hoped to finish the season in Phoenix. After all, he hand-picked the Suns when he left Brooklyn, and many believe he still sees a title path alongside Devin Booker.
Plenty of Interest for Durant, but the Price May Be Too High
If Durant hits the market this offseason, there’s no shortage of teams that would love to have him. According to the NBA correspondent Marc Stein, the San Antonio Spurs have joined the mix, alongside more familiar suitors like the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
But trading for Durant won’t be easy. Teams hoping to land him will likely need to give up more than just picks. The Suns want a return that keeps them competitive, meaning any trade may have to include at least one top-tier player plus multiple future assets.
Durant still has one year left on the $194.2 million deal he signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2022. Whether he finishes it in Phoenix or suits up elsewhere remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the Suns won’t make it easy.