Magic Johnson Advises Kevin Durant to Join Iconic NBA Franchise

Fifteen-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant appears to be on his way out of Phoenix this summer.

Since acquiring Durant from the Brooklyn Nets during the 2022–23 season, the Suns have fallen well short of expectations. Many would think a core of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal could do some damage in the postseason but the team failed to get out of the first round last season and missed the playoffs entirely this year.

It’s clear the current group isn’t working, and the Suns know they need to make a move. Durant has been at the center of those conversations. Phoenix aggressively tried to trade him at the deadline but couldn’t agree on a deal.

Now, with the offseason approaching, a trade feels imminent, especially after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that the Suns and Durant's "business partner, Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, have met multiple times over the past week and are sifting through trade scenarios, sources told ESPN on Wednesday."

Charania also named five teams that have expressed interest in Durant: the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks.

On Thursday, NBA legend Magic Johnson was on ESPN's "Get Up," and advised Durant to join the Knicks.

"Kevin Durant, that's an interesting piece," Johnson said. "If I'm the Knicks, the Knicks are too slow. They're not going to beat Indiana next year or these other teams."