Key takeaways:
– The Phoenix Suns are considering offloading Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors.
– Suggested trade would see Suns acquire Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and two first-round picks.
– This proposal isn’t the first time a return to the Warriors for Durant has been mooted.
– ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes the Suns intend to retain Durant along with other star players.
Debate Ignites Over Kevin Durant Exchange
The Phoenix Suns face a significant decision concerning the future of basketball superstar Kevin Durant. The Suns must ascertain whether retaining Durant for another season is to their advantage or if they would benefit more from trading him. A recent hypothesis offered by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley presents a fascinating scenario.
In Buckley’s proposed trade, as presented in his May 7 write-up, the Golden State Warriors would reel in Durant, and the Suns would acquire Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, along with two first-round picks. Although this deal could stoke the Suns, they may consider it insufficient as the All-Star Durant is a hot property. Yet, Buckley suggests there is a room for the Warriors to broaden this proposal by introducing more prospects or pick swaps, if necessary.
Contentions Surround Division Rival Trade
Trading Durant to a division rival may not sit well with the Suns organization as Durant experienced his highest career success with Golden State. However, this potential shift would provide access to abundant young talent, an asset that would aid the Suns to reshape after a lackluster season.
Challenges persist in the face of this trade proposal. Andrew Wiggins’ impending third year of his five-year, $109 million contract could be a deterrent for the Suns. Notably, Wiggins was the first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, while Kuminga and Moody were respectively selected as the seventh and fourteenth picks in the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Durant-Warriors Reunion Concept
ESPN’s Zach Lowe had also proposed a Kevin Durant-Warriors reunion ahead of Buckley’s proposition. On his podcast “The Lowe Post” on April 29, Lowe deliberated on the idea by bringing up the perspectives of the young players and the necessity of making tactical trades.
“It’s Kevin Durant, so you’ll probably trade those guys,” Lowe said, alluding to Jonathan Kuminga and others. Bobby Marks, a guest on the podcast, projected the other pieces that the Warriors might need to dispatch to finalize a deal. Marks’ proposal suggested a mix including Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody.
Considering Durant’s Market Value
Deciding Durant’s future destination forces the Suns to consider where they stand to get the best deal. Durant’s value on the market may decline because of his age, but trading him could bring in a flurry of assets for the Suns, potentially revitalizing their roster.
Insider Insights and Predictions
Contrary to these discussions, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on May 6 on The Rich Eisen Show that the Suns have no plans to let go of Durant or their other stars, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. He believes the Suns will try to refine their roster and processes to enhance their performance next season. If these predictions hold, the decreasing time window the Suns have with Durant would become an additional pressure point.
To paraphrase Windhorst from the RealGM transcription, “I talk to multiple people who think that’s what they’re going to have to do. Do the Suns say that? No, they do not. I think the Suns’ intention is to keep all three of these star players… and try to be better next year.”
The debate around Durant and his future with the Suns underscores the need for strategic decisions that promise to contribute to the team’s future evolution.