Trading Kevin Durant is only way Suns can fix their current mess

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly listening to offers for Kevin Durant. The veteran superstar is having a strong season. He's averaging 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. However, the Suns languish ninth in the Western Conference, two wins above .500. 

Phoenix has little room to improve its roster. Durant, 36, has another year left on his $194 million deal. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Suns aren't hellbent on trading Durant, but they are testing the waters.

"The Suns are believed to be listening at the very least to various teams' pitches for the 35-year-old scoring legend," Fischer reported. "...Why is Phoenix even listening on Durant? The 25-23 Suns simply aren't in position not to — especially after this Dončić drama." 

Durant is undeniably one of the best players in the world. Even at his advancing age, there aren't many scorers as dominant as he is. There would undoubtedly be a significant market for his services if the Suns announced he was available. The Golden State Warriors would likely be at the head of the line. 

The Suns must do something. The current roster doesn't project to be championship-caliber. They're a second-apron luxury tax team, so their hands are tied in terms of packaging players to land an upgrade. And Durant's large salary would make finding a replacement while also getting younger a viable path forward.

They should reposition Devin Booker as their centerpiece and construct a roster around his skill set. Their big three experimenter has failed, just like many others before it. 

Durant is the key to the Suns' future, just not in the way they'd hoped. Allowing him to move elsewhere and chase a third championship is the right move for everyone involved, even if it will hurt the pride of multiple people involved in the situation.