Report: Suns made Cam Johnson ‘untouchable’ in Kevin Durant trade talks

When Kevin Durant demanded a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, one of his preferred destinations was Phoenix. 

The star forward could have teamed up with All-Stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker. According to Yahoo’s Jake Fischer, one reason a trade never took place was that the Suns refused to part with young power forward Cameron Johnson.

Fischer writes, "During the team’s trade pursuit of Kevin Durant this summer, sources said, Suns officials remained steadfast that Johnson was off limits."

Johnson was the No. 11 pick in the 2019 draft after Phoenix traded down from No. 6 with the Minnesota Timberwolves. His three-point ability (42.5 percent from three-point range in 2021-22) and stout defense have made him indispensable to Phoenix, to the point where they put incumbent power forward Jae Crowder on the trading block to make room for Johnson to start.

Without Johnson - or presumably Booker - the Suns simply didn’t have the trade assets to get Durant, even if they’d included young center DeAndre Ayton. And with Johnson eligible for a rookie extension that would kick in next season, Phoenix - already $15 million above the luxury tax line - is likely trying to cut salary. After all, the franchise hasn't paid the tax since the 2009-10 season and has paid only $15.2 million in tax in total over the years.