Suns can get All-Star and top pick in 2025 draft in proposed Durant trade

Why the Sixers would make the trade with Suns:

The price for a 36-year-old Durant on the final year of his contract seems steep. However, George’s recent injury history that saw him miss half of last season has brought concerns on how the 34-year-old’s health will hold up in the next few years. The six-time All-NBA member just signed a 4-year, $211 million contract last offseason and has three years remaining on the deal.

George is due $51+ million the next three years and will be hard to off load his contract in any trade. The franchise will be looking to pair its MVP Joel Embiid with a viable second or third option before the end of his prime. The Embiid-George experiment has failed with the addition of a top prospect of the 2025 NBA draft not fitting the team’s timeline.

To give the 76ers more cap flexibility and reliable superstar, it could go for a home run swing with Durant. General Manager Brian Gregory is looking for a move that pleases Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who doesn’t want to rebuild. Taking a flyer on George, while getting a top pick in a talented 2025 draft class, would fill all the needs the Suns are looking for this offseason.

Acquiring George will give Devin Booker a running mate to compete for the next few years, while a prospect like Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey develops as the next superstar in the Valley.