Suns looking to trade for Kevin Durant

Suns looking to trade for Kevin Durant

Last Friday, Kyrie Irving sent the NBA media into a frenzy by requesting a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. At least four teams, including the Phoenix Suns, put packages together to entice the Nets to trade Irving their way. Despite this, the NBA world has been at the edge of their seats since Irving’s request because of the prospect of obtaining an even more enticing superstar: Kevin Durant.

NBA insider Shams Charania reported the finalization of Irving’s trade to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday:

Official:

Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.

Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2029 first-round pick and two second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to the Brooklyn Nets.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2023

The Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and the Phoenix Suns also submitted offers. The Suns reportedly offered veteran point guard Chris Paul and three-and-D wing Jae Crowder.

Given the Suns’ recent history of interest in Durant, it shouldn’t be too hard to believe that they’d make a subsequent offer for the 13-time All-Star.

Back on June 30, 2022, Durant requested to be traded from the Nets. The Suns were one of the most active potential buyers, as well as a preferred destination for him. The teams engaged in negotiations surrounding Mikal Bridges and a haul of draft picks, but the Nets refused all offers.

Durant ended up rescinding his trade request before the beginning of the 2022-23 season, and has continued to perform at a high level for the Nets.

Durant would make the Suns contenders again

His 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists were enough to earn another nod as an All-Star starter despite sitting out 12 straight games due to a knee injury.

Durant currently leads the league in free throw percentage (93.4%), and he’s posting career-highs in field goal percentage (55.9%) and true shooting percentage (67.3%). He would be a welcome boost for a Phoenix offense that ranks 22nd in the NBA in both field goal percentage and true shooting.

The Phoenix Suns are prepared to pursue Kevin Durant should he become available, per @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/iCAH9jHs8d

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 5, 2023

Crowder hasn’t played a single minute this season for the Suns. They desperately need to offload his contract. Paul isn’t getting any younger, either. If they can convince the Nets to let them keep their young role players in Bridges, Deandre Ayton and Cam Johnson, Durant would fit well as Devin Booker‘s superstar partner. Phoenix would immediately vault into the upper echelon of NBA contenders.

This all depends on Brooklyn’s willingness to trade their franchise cornerstone. Expect them to continue making noise before the deadline. However, it remains to be seen whether a Kevin Durant trade is possible before Thursday.

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