The Phoenix Suns are on a path toward potentially missing the playoffs. They entered the season with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal with the idea that they could become contenders this year.
Since then, things have not gone too favorably. The Suns are currently 2.5 games out of the play-in and sit at 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 30-36. With the season looking like an extreme disappointment, the Suns could make some big changes going forward.
Devin Booker Is a Part of the Suns’ Future
We won’t know the full extent of Phoenix’s future until the offseason, but we do know that Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause and utilized that to prevent himself from being moved before the deadline.
Booker has always been the franchise player in Phoenix. When the team acquired Chris Paul, it was to aid Booker in blossoming into the next superstar he’s shown the potential of becoming. When Durant came to town, he presumably saw something in Booker as well that could help him return to the NBA Finals for the first time since his Golden State run.
This confidence in Booker is reportedly shared by Phoenix’s front office. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Booker is seen as the future in Phoenix, and they plan to build around him.
Devin Booker is fully committed to the Suns for the rest of his career while being in complete alignment with their front office, per @espn_macmahon (https://t.co/UpKdDvTudF
Owner Mat Ishbia says a “pivot and reload” around Booker could be the direction they choose this summer. pic.twitter.com/UcrjbypgKW
— Evan Sidery (@esidery)
Majority owner and team governor Mat Ishbia says that he still believes in his team, his coach, and wants to see them succeed, but he’s open to a potential pivot to reload the roster centered around Booker. This begs the question of what happens next with Durant?
Kevin Durant Could Potentially Be Traded This Offseason
Durant has been stellar in his time in Phoenix, at least individually. He’s currently averaging 26.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 52.9% from the field this season. The star forward who is in Year 3 of his four-year, $194 million contract, however, has been at the head of trade talks since before the deadline.
According to MacMahon, the Suns had a deal on the table for Durant that was nixed, but they could revisit talks again this offseason. Many expect Durant to move on from the Suns this offseason. The question is, where will they send him?
The Suns engaged the Rockets first about a potential Kevin Durant trade ahead of the deadline last month, per @espn_macmahon (https://t.co/UpKdDvTudF).
Houston possesses Phoenix’s first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and 2029.
Don’t be surprised if both teams talk again this summer. pic.twitter.com/CqMPkvqScS
— Evan Sidery (@esidery)
For a longtime veteran like Durant, teams like the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder are younger options with assets, so that might be an attractive fit. Durant would provide a great scoring punch for either team and provide veteran leadership.
Will the Suns actually trade Durant? If the plan is to pivot and reload as mentioned, then it seems likely. It seems clear Booker will be in a Suns uniform next year, but will Durant be as well to start next season?
