Suns Poised to Trade Durant Regardless of New Coach Choice

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly gearing up to trade superstar Kevin Durant this offseason, regardless of who takes the reins as the team’s new head coach. This development comes as part of a broader strategy to reshape the roster after a disappointing recent playoff run., according to hoopswire.com

According to insights shared by Marc Stein of The Stein Line, sources have indicated robust sentiments within the organization favoring a trade for Durant after his two-and-a-half-year stint with the Suns. The franchise has been connected with several potential coaching candidates, including Oklahoma City Thunder assistant Dave Bliss, Cleveland Cavaliers assistants Jordan Ott and Johnnie Bryant, Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, and Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn. However, it seems that the decision to part ways with Durant is already on the table, independent of the new coach’s philosophy or direction.

Stein elaborated on the situation, noting that the Suns’ search for a coach has revealed a firm inclination to explore trade options for Durant. The veteran forward, who has made a significant impact since being acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in 2023, may find himself on the move after a series of playoff disappointments. The Suns were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets in 2023 and failed to advance past the first round in 2024, where they were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves. This season, they missed the playoffs entirely, showcasing that the current roster configuration has not yielded the desired results.

As the team navigates this pivotal offseason, the front office is expected to engage in discussions around Durant’s future in collaboration with him and his business manager, Rich Kleiman. This comes after a previous trade pursuit in February that Durant himself reportedly advised against. The Suns’ decision to actively seek a trade indicates a desire to revamp their roster and possibly acquire assets that can help them contend more effectively in the future.

The implications of trading Durant could be substantial for the Suns. As one of the league’s most talented scorers and a future Hall of Famer, any deal involving Durant would generate significant interest and could potentially shift the balance of power in the NBA. Moving forward, Phoenix must weigh the benefits of retaining a player of Durant’s caliber against the potential return they could garner in a trade.

As the Suns embark on this transformative phase, the focus will be on both the coaching hire and the consequential decisions regarding their star player. The upcoming months will be critical for the franchise as it aims to build a competitive roster capable of making a deep playoff run.