Kevin Durant’s future with the Phoenix Suns appears murky going into the start of free agency and trade season, but he’s not necessarily looking to leave the organization right now.
On Thursday’s episode of First Take (starts at 1:10 mark), ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said Durant is not “too keen” on staying with the Suns but won’t demand a trade at this time.
In the aftermath of the Houston Rockets acquiring multiple draft picks from the Brooklyn Nets, including at least one that originated with the Suns, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported they want to trade for Durant and could attempt to entice Phoenix with a package built around sending its picks back in a deal.
The rumblings of Houston’s interest in Durant got to the point where Suns governor Mat Ishbia made a post on X definitively stating they were keeping the 14-time All-Star next season.
Even though Ishbia insists Durant will be on the Suns to start next season, it wouldn’t be a surprise if there was a shift in organizational philosophy if the team built around an expensive trio and few long-term assets doesn’t look like a title contender by the trade deadline.
There’s also the relationship between Durant and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka that could influence the future Hall of Famer’s mindset. He was reportedly Durant’s preferred choice to replace Steve Nash with the Brooklyn Nets before Jacque Vaughn was hired in November 2022.
Durant is more than comfortable requesting a trade if he doesn’t like a situation. He did it with the Nets twice in the span of eight months between June 2022 and February 2023, with the latter request being granted when he was dealt to Phoenix.
The Suns are in a difficult spot right now because they need Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to play at their full potential to have any chance at competing for a title, but that trio combined with a lack of depth may not be good enough to put them on par with the top teams in the Western Conference.
If the Suns have another season hanging around the middle of the pack in the conference, Ishbia will be spending close to $300 million between payroll and luxury tax for another early playoff exit.
There may come a point when Durant requests a trade from the Suns and it turns out to be good for both parties.