A blockbuster trade proposal has the Phoenix Suns setting off fireworks across the NBA by dealing superstar Kevin Durant to a Western Conference juggernaut.
There’s no indication that the Suns are open to dealing Kevin Durant, or that the future Hall of Famer wants out. But the fact remains that Phoenix has one playoff series win in the KD era, and at 12-8 through 20 games, they don’t exactly resemble a championship contender.
If the Suns decide to shake up their All-Star core, Durant has to be the odd man out. Devin Booker isn’t going anywhere, and veteran guard Bradley Beal might have the most untradeable contract in the NBA.
Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World proposed a mammoth trade idea that has Phoenix sending Kevin Durant back to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, De’Anthony Melton and first-round picks in 2026 and 2029:
“The chemistry between Durant and Curry is unmatched, with the two feeding off each other’s strengths to devastate opposing defenses. If Durant’s time in Phoenix shows signs of stagnating, he could be motivated to initiate a trade to the Warriors—a team he knows will be ready to compete the moment he steps on the floor…
Most importantly, Durant’s departure could also allow Booker to further solidify his role as the franchise player, with Beal supporting him as an experienced scorer who has made the playoffs multiple times. The return for Durant would bring in a mix of young talent and future draft picks, potentially giving the Suns a balanced roster that can grow and adapt as Booker and Beal enter their prime. “
Book becomes the 9th youngest player in @NBA history to score 15K career points:
▪️ LeBron James
▪️ Kevin Durant
▪️ Kobe Bryant
▪️ Wilt Chamberlain
▪️ Michael Jordan
▪️ Carmelo Anthony
▪️ Giannis Antetokounmpo
▪️ Tracy McGrady pic.twitter.com/u1xoxtcIvl— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 4, 2024
It was reported on Wednesday that Durant will miss at least one week with an ankle injury. Through his first 13 games of 2024-25, he’s averaging 25.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
Signing Kevin Durant in 2016 pushed the Warriors to dynasty status, winning back-to-back NBA championships in 2017 and 2018. If he didn’t miss all but a few minutes of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, the Dubs would have most likely three-peated.
Durant left Golden State to join Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets in free agency. That tenure was a giant disappointment, with the Nets winning just a single playoff series in his three seasons there.
Kevin Durant Would Make Warriors Overwhelming NBA Title Favorites
If the Warriors could somehow add Durant in a trade, it would make them the giant favorites to win the 2025 NBA Championship over the Boston Celtics. They’re already a bonafide contender with Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield and Draymond Green, but adding the perennial MVP candidate would push them that much closer to a fifth title in the 21st century.
