Yardbarker
x
Report: Kevin Durant responds to trade, Bradley Beal Situation In Phoenix To Be Resolved ‘Soon’
Report: Kevin Durant responds to trade, Bradley Beal Situation In Phoenix To Be Resolved 'Soon' 2 Kevin Durant (Imagn)

NBA insider Shams Charania reported the largest trade in NBA history that sent Kevin Durant away from the Phoenix Suns. 19 players were involved in this transaction between seven NBA teams, including six 2nd-round picks. It takes a ton of pressure off the Suns’ front office in terms of luxury tax money that they can save. But there remains the problem of how to deal with Bradley Beal and his albatross of a contract.

The former Washington Wizards star was traded in exchange for Chris Paul in 2023, largely at KD’s insistence. However, Bradley Beal was injured for the first few weeks of his Suns sojourn. The team never really gelled in their first season together. They ran into the Timberwolves in the first round, who put them to the sword in a sweep. The 2024-25 season was even more disappointing for Phoenix, who finished 11th.

The results of last season put the writing on the wall. As constructed, the roster didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of gaining homecourt advantage in the playoffs, let alone becoming true contenders. Changes needed to be made, and fast. Suns owner Mat Ishbia was able to work out a deal to send KD to the Rockets in exchange for a juicy first-rounder back, along with Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.

The Suns are still in cap hell at the time of writing and waiting for some resolution on the Bradley Beal situation. Beal has a no-trade clause in his contract, which he will be exercising. But he probably won’t need to do it this year. Given the untenable nature of his contract, no team would be ready to take on $113 million in liabilities for two years. Not even a team slated to suck in 2025-26.

Suns insider John Gambadoro reports that the team is looking for a fast resolution of the situation, nonetheless.

Kevin Durant responds to trade news with a statement

After the Kevin Durant trade was officially finalized a few minutes before the time of writing, the Slim Reaper took to his favorite social media platform and tweeted a heartfelt statement, thanking the people he met during his Phoenix Suns journey and advising people not to speculate baselessly about his departure from Arizona.

My time in Phoenix has come to an end. All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way. Remeber it’s a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space, work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players. I appreciate all the quick interactions with everybody from support staff to teammates distant cousins, it’s all a family that I’m grateful to be apart of, no matter what. I truly believe this nba is a one big community. Much love to Arizona. Houston, Can’t Wait!

Kevin Durant will have little to no championship pressure with the Houston Rockets. The team is young and looking to aid its fledgling stars on the path to superstardom. The 36-year-old, soon to be 37, will be the elder statesman in the locker room and a leader that the youngsters will need.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!