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Suns Demand No. 2 Pick and Stephon Castle in Kevin Durant Trade Talks With Spurs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joshua Rosenblum | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 3:35 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns have reportedly set a high bar in trade negotiations for Kevin Durant, asking the San Antonio Spurs for their No. 2 draft pick and/or rookie standout Stephon Castle, according to a recent tweet shared by Kirk Goldsberry on The Ringer.

This demand comes as the Suns explore options to move the 15-time All-Star, who is on an expiring $54.7 million contract for the 2025-26 season.

The Spurs, fresh off a promising season with Castle winning Rookie of the Year, face a tough decision, as parting with such valuable assets for a 36-year-old Durant could be a gamble.

Castle, a former national champion for the UConn Huskies under Dan Hurley, flashed signs of brilliance in his rookie campaign, averaging 14.7 points per game and developing quicker than most coaches and scouts expected.

Despite Durant's elite scoring ability, averaging 26.6 points per game on 52.7% shooting from the field last season, the Spurs' reluctance is understandable given their young core and future draft capital.

Alongside De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs have a ton of hope for the future with formidable young pieces that can help them compete for championships in the years to come.

The Suns' aggressive stance reflects their desire to maximize return, but it also risks stalling talks if the Spurs deem the price too steep.

Other suitors like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat have emerged as both franchises possess valuable enough assets to acquire Durant.

As the NBA Draft looms, the outcome of these discussions could reshape both franchises' trajectories, with Durant's future hanging in the balance.

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

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