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Charles Barkley Doesn’t Want Suns to Worry About Kevin Durant’s Feelings

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dean Koutouratsas | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 1:19 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns are heading into a crucial offseason for the organization.

They are expected to make decisions regarding All-Stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who could be traded by the end of the summer. However, they have encountered an issue with moving Durant because they want to make a trade that benefits both sides.

Suns all-time great and TNT broadcaster Charles Barkley has some thoughts on what Phoenix should do about trading the 36-year-old.

“You make the best deal for Kevin [Durant], and I’ve heard they like working with him, but I’m like, nah, you don’t work with him,” Barkley said during a recent episode of the Arizona Sports podcast. “You make the best deal for the team. You got to start your rebuild because if you know what you're doing, you only got one decision, the Devin Booker decision.”

via @AZSports: More on the changing Kevin Durant trade rumors. Charles Barkley weighed in saying PHX has to get the best deal available. @Gambo987
now saying PHX could eye NYK's OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, or Spurs Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan #nba #SanAntonio #gospursgo… pic.twitter.com/teO3QYaO1P
— JeffGSpursKENS5 (@JeffGSpursZone) June 11, 2025

Booker has been at the forefront of the franchise's focus since being drafted in 2015. He helped Phoenix reach the playoffs in four straight seasons, including reaching the 2021 NBA Finals. But following a rough season, the Suns could trade him in return for draft picks to start their rebuild.

Meanwhile, Durant’s situation is more complicated because he is in the final season of his contract, and it could be risky for a team to trade away a fair amount of value for one season.

“You make the best deal for [Kevin Durant], don't worry about his feelings and make the best deal for yourself,” Barkley added. “Some people are going to take a chance on him, and some people not because he only has one year left, and he’s 36.”

Durant has been included in many mock trades, with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets being the among the most common destinations. Meanwhile, Phoenix’s front office claims they have no intention of trading away Booker this summer, according to a Fox Sports report.

With Barkley’s thoughts made clear, this could help the Suns kickstart a rebuild.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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