Co-hosts of the Empire of the Suns podcast, Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman, convened over Microsoft Teams to explore the primary narrative surrounding the Phoenix Suns as they approach the 2025 NBA Draft: the future of Kevin Durant.
Olson initiated the conversation with excitement, saying, “Kevin! We’ve got Kevin Durant news! Sort of! I think!” This comes following reports from ESPN, released conveniently on the same day as their NBA Finals coverage, indicating that Durant’s representatives have been in discussions with the Suns about potential trade offers.
Several teams have shown interest in Durant, including the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks, though New York Post reporter Stefan Bondy has claimed that the Knicks are no longer pursuing Durant, suggesting a lack of compatibility between the two sides.
John Gambadoro has noted that the Suns have limited interest in acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns. The high price of Mikal Bridges, who was traded last year, coupled with the Knicks’ insufficient draft assets, indicates that a trade with New York was not aligned with the Suns’ goals.
Furthermore, it has been reported by Charania that Durant’s possible two-year contract extension will impact negotiations, with both parties expected to collaborate on identifying suitable destinations for him. The specific wording of these reports suggests that there are no guarantees, with the Suns likely aiming to execute the most beneficial deal for themselves despite the player-centric narrative in the media.
As conversation shifted to possible landing spots for Durant, Olson expressed his perspective on the Rockets being front-runners due to their wealth of draft picks, including up to three future first-round selections that could give the Suns more control over their future.
Though Olson previously deemed the inclusion of Amen Thompson unrealistic, he pondered the merits of acquiring younger players like Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., recognizing their youth and potential but also acknowledging their imperfect fit alongside Devin Booker and possibly Bradley Beal.
Zimmerman added that for both the Suns and Durant, finding a trade partner that aligns with his preferences could lead to a more fruitful return for the Suns. He identified several intriguing trade assets from the Spurs and the Timberwolves, although he suggested that the overall offerings might appear lackluster.
The discussion briefly touched on wild-card candidates, with the Los Angeles Clippers presented as a potential dark horse due to limited contracts available after the acquisitions of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. “Ivica Zubac and Derrick Jones Jr. are nice starting points,” he commented on possible returns.
He also highlighted a rumor surrounding the Toronto Raptors, positing that players like R.J. Barrett and Jakob Poeltl, coupled with the Raptors’ No. 9 pick, could represent a beneficial return for the Suns.
Olson ultimately underscored the importance of obtaining a significant number of draft picks in any return, emphasizing that many of the involved players, like Green, Vassell, and Barrett, represent questionable value due to their current contracts and performance.
As the conversation drew to a close, both Olson and Zimmerman acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the upcoming trade discussions, with a consensus that while none of the potential trade candidates were standout All-Star prospects, the right combination could set the stage for a rebuild or restructure for the Suns as they focus on future title pursuits. “This market just doesn’t feel great at this point. It’s still early days,” Zimmerman noted, cautiously optimistic about the possibilities ahead.