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Do the Phoenix Suns owe Kevin Durant loyalty in trade talks?

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 12:05 AM ET

The Phoenix Suns are searching around the league for Kevin Durant’s next team. Reports indicated that a deal would be finalized in the coming days, but the surprisingly low value Phoenix is receiving in other teams offer has made them hesitant. One of the few teams to offer a suitable package for the 15-time All-Star was the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The deal would likely include Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, Rob Dillingham and the 17th overall pick. The Suns were ready to accept the deal before Durant and his party informed the team he doesn’t want to play in Minnesota. Phoenix honored the former MVP’s wishes, which isn’t the first time in the past six months, with a Durant trade in place to send him back to Golden State at the NBA trade deadline that he declined. However, should the Suns continue to value the 36-year-old’s desires over the best interest in the team.

The Suns-Durant Dilemma:

Phoenix is working closely with Durant’s business partner Rich Kleiman to find a trade partner for both teams. Durant has made it known his top three is the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat. The three teams play in a state with no state tax, which helps secure more of Durant’s $54.7 million contract into his pockets. However, the trio of teams have submitted lackluster offers for the Suns forward, leaving general manager Brian Gregory in a moral grey area.

Gregory will likely want to fulfill Durant’s wishes, as players around the league will notice how the franchise handle the situation. Trading Durant to his desire team shows that Gregory and the front office is player’s friendly, influencing any potential free agent more likely to consider Phoenix.

Regardless, the Suns have to make the future of the team top priority, after coming off an embarrassing 36-46 season. Phoenix doesn’t have control of any of its foreseeable draft picks, while over the cap space’s second apron. The eventual Durant trade will be the most important trade for the franchise in over a decade. Gregory will need to find a package that’ll satisfy the fans and superstar guard Devin Booker desire to compete.

There is no clear answer on what the franchise should do in the coming weeks regarding Durant. Gregory and his staff’s decision and what deal they take will set the Suns course for the next decade: Accept a deal on a discount to save face around the league or maximize the value on your top trade target?

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

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