{"id":122284,"date":"2025-02-06T10:08:28","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T15:08:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=122284"},"modified":"2025-02-06T10:08:28","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T15:08:28","slug":"phoenix-suns-limited-trade-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/06\/phoenix-suns-limited-trade-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Phoenix Suns Have Limited Trade Options Ahead of Deadline"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After a long saga, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/butleji01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jimmy Butler<\/a> was <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/05\/jimmy-butler-gets-his-way-and-extension-with-trade-to-warriors\/\" target=\"_self\">traded to the Golden State Warriors<\/a>, not the Phoenix Suns. Many felt he would wind up at one of the two teams, but the Warriors won the sweepstakes. Many reports suggested he wanted Phoenix and Phoenix only and was only willing to sign an extension in the desert. However, those claims were rebuffed by the immediate agreement of a <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/shamscharania\/status\/1887311663021301940?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">two-year, $121 million extension<\/a> between the Dubs and Butler.<\/p>\n<p>This failed pursuit of Butler leaves Phoenix in a tricky place with few options just hours before the trade deadline. Efforts have been made to move <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bealbr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bradley Beal<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nurkiju01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jusuf Nurkic<\/a>, but to no avail. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Durant\u2019s<\/a> name was seriously linked with a trade, but he has no desire to leave. The Suns have limited trade options and are in danger of watching the season slip away.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">BREAKING: The Miami Heat are finalizing a deal to send Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/82mWHKCnVM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/82mWHKCnVM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1887308975843979528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 6, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Phoenix Suns Have Limited Trade Options Ahead of Deadline<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Beal and Durant Set to Stay With Suns Amid Trade Rumors<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Following the blockbuster trade that sent <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/doncilu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luka Doncic<\/a> to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/06\/lakers-luka-doncic-request-mark-williams\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>, <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/thehoopcentral\/status\/1887368958371897726?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">eight All-Star players<\/a> have been traded since Saturday night, with potentially more to come. One of them, however, will not be Durant. While the Suns were focused on their priority Butler, Beal was always expected to be the centerpiece of any return. But with no breakthrough in talks, Durant\u2019s name was beginning to be mentioned.<\/p>\n<p>The Warriors were known to be desperate to find a star to pair with <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/curryst01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stephen Curry<\/a>, ultimately calling around the league for almost every All-Star. However, a reunion with Durant was their preference, and they received signals from the Suns that it was possible. It sent shockwaves around the league, with multiple reports saying that many teams believed Durant was about to be traded. ESPN\u2019s Brian Windhorst reported that the Miami Heat, Warriors, and Suns were <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/esidery\/status\/1887209056886042990?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">discussing the framework<\/a> of a trade that would send Durant to the Warriors, Butler to the Suns, and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wiggian01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Wiggins<\/a> to the Heat. Windhorst named <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bookede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Devin Booker<\/a> the only player <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/thedunkcentral\/status\/1887141483460898843?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">guaranteed to remain on the Suns&#8217; roster<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But this deal collapsed due to Durant\u2019s unwillingness to return to the Bay. He wanted to remain a Sun, and while it is uncertain whether he would\u2019ve approved a trade elsewhere, it was clear that a return to his former side was something he did not want. The trade had <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/gambo987\/status\/1887238601483952340?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">&#8220;a lot of momentum,&#8221;<\/a> per Suns insider John Gambadoro, but it could not materialize. Durant does not have a no-trade clause, but the Warriors would not trade for a player who did not want them. So their attentions shifted to Butler, and they quickly got their man.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">As Golden State pursues Phoenix&#8217;s Kevin Durant, the two-time Warriors NBA Finals MVP has no desire in a reunion and does not want to go back. Reporting for NBA Today: <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tNeTzw2gCf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/tNeTzw2gCf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1887232362276098258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Suns Likely to Remain as Currently Constructed<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A Durant-for-Butler swap made no sense for Phoenix. Despite the move reportedly being close to completion, it would not have made them better now or in the future. The purpose of moving on from Durant would be to get younger talent. Butler is 35, and Durant is 36. Had the Suns gone through with the trade, it would have been Butler plus picks, a move looking to the future in replenishing their draft capital while staying competitive. But Butler\u2019s preference for the Suns was to play alongside Booker and Durant.<\/p>\n<p>NBA insider <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/chrisbhaynes\/status\/1887335878025941035?s=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Haynes said the Suns<\/a> were &#8220;always prepared to venture into the second half of the season with the core roster in place.&#8221;\u00a0It appears they are leaning on and hoping for improved performance with the weight of trade rumors no longer on their shoulders. While they may have little choice, they have a huge uphill battle.<\/p>\n<p>The Suns are in a highly precarious position in the Western Conference. Following an embarrassing <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.co.uk\/nba\/boxscore\/_\/gameId\/401705290\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">140-109 defeat<\/a> to the leading Oklahoma City Thunder, they occupy the final play-in spot in 10th. They are tied in record with the Warriors who sit just outside. They are only three games from the Los Angeles Clippers in sixth but possess the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.tankathon.com\/remaining_schedule_strength\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">toughest remaining schedule<\/a> in the NBA. The Suns have lost three in a row and face some difficult upcoming opponents. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/27\/nuggets-trade-rumors-change-during-recent-streak\/\" target=\"_self\">Denver Nuggets<\/a>, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets are all on the horizon before the All-Star break.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Marginal Trades Can Still Be Made<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>While the big three of Durant, Booker and Beal are set to remain, marginal moves can still be made. They have three first-round picks to utilise, likely attaching one to Nurkic\u2019s contract. With little time left and no interested suitors, the Bosnian may have to stay put.<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesty01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyus Jones<\/a> can be moved to recoup some further assets. Jones is on an expiring contract, and if the Suns can get a second-round pick, they may need to pull the trigger. Guaranteeing Jones a starting place has proved costly, with the 28-year-old a liability on defense. Phoenix&#8217;s turnover problem has also not improved. The team has <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/morrimo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Monte Morris<\/a> on the roster, a player getting no minutes. He is capable of doing Jones\u2019s job from the bench.<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/o\/onealro01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Royce O\u2019Neale<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/allengr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Grayson Allen<\/a> are assets that would garner interest. Rookies <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/dunnry01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Dunn<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/i\/ighodos01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Oso Ighodaro<\/a> could both be on the table. However, further compromising their future for a return that would certainly not catapult them into contenders would be unnecessarily damaging. The buyout market also remains an option.<\/p>\n<p>The only way the Suns could significantly improve is by trading Beal. But his no-trade clause has put them in a situation that is almost impossible to resolve. However, they knew what they were acquiring when they traded for the former Washington Wizards man. Now, they are paying the consequences. Although, as the NBA has shown in this past week, plenty can quickly change, and nothing is off the table. Should Phoenix stand pat and miss the playoffs this year, an intriguing and dramatic offseason in the Valley looms.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a long saga, Jimmy Butler was traded to the Golden State Warriors, not the Phoenix Suns. Many felt he would wind up at one of the two teams, but the Warriors won the sweepstakes. Many reports suggested he wanted Phoenix and Phoenix only and was only willing to sign an extension in the desert. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5293,"featured_media":122310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,62,28,4721],"tags":[311,352,487,142,135,69,49745,3814,49305,569],"class_list":["post-122284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nba","category-suns","category-trade-rumors","tag-bradley-beal","tag-devin-booker","tag-grayson-allen","tag-jimmy-butler","tag-jusuf-nurkic","tag-kevin-durant","tag-oso-ighodaro","tag-royce-oneale","tag-ryan-dunn","tag-tyus-jones"],"modified_by":"Kayla Fonte","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5293"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122284"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122284\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":122313,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122284\/revisions\/122313"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/122310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}