The Phoenix Suns tried to trade Kevin Durant last deadline without informing him, but they didn’t find the right trade market. The worst part was, they didn’t inform him about their decision. Now, they are learning the hard way that when you go against a superstar, in most cases, you lose.
Suns Learning the Hard Way Kevin Durant Has No Big Market
After the failed experiment at the trade deadline, the Suns and KD revisited trade talks in the summer. The reports coming from Phoenix were that they would actively try to trade him. But after a few weeks in the summer, they are learning that Durant doesn’t have a big market.
KD gave them a list of preferred destinations. Teams know that Durant has only one year left on his contract and that he wants to leave Phoenix. That leaves the Suns little to no leverage, and they are already seeing the results. According to the latest reports, they are not getting what they hoped for.
Reports suggest Phoenix isn’t coming close to the return they hoped for, with Kevin Durant limiting his market and by refusing to extend outside his preferred destinations.
It’s starting to feel a lot like De’Aaron Fox’s deadline flex all over again. What do you think? pic.twitter.com/9fvv9KiYYW— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) June 16, 2025
If Durant does end up in San Antonio like De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs will be happy to have him. But like with Fox, they have a price that they are not willing to go over. Right now, it seems that the price is one or two young players, but no Stephon Castle, and the No. 14 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. How much more can the Suns squeeze out of San Antonio?
What Do the Suns Want?
Reports suggest that KD has a list of options, which include the Miami Heat, the Spurs, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Miami Heat are currently reluctant to include standout rookie Kel’el Ware in any discussions. The Timberwolves do not have a young player that can entice the Suns. Their rookie, Rob Dillingham, didn’t show much promise in his first year. If Minnesota includes Naz Reid, that might change things.
For now, the Suns are looking for a promising young player, a high draft pick, and some veteran help. That seems like an impossible task with the list of teams that KD wants to play for.
Can the Spurs Replicate the Fox Deal?
The Spurs were the favorites to land Fox at the trade deadline, and they used that to their advantage. Similar to Durant now, Fox had a list of preferred destinations.
After flexing for a while, San Antonio sent two first-round picks in 2025, one from Charlotte and one from Chicago. Both were with high protection, and in the end, neither was conveyed in 2025. They also sent a 2027 unprotected first-round pick and some second-round picks. They gave up Tre Jones and Zach Collins but got a young point guard.
Right now, the Spurs look like they are ready to give up a combination of Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Harrison Barnes, plus picks, but not the No. 2 in the 2025 draft. They are willing to give up the No. 12 pick. With less than 10 days leading up to the 2025 draft, we will see whether the Suns find what they are looking for. Or in the end, they will find out that Durant’s trade market right now is not that big.
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