Mr. Miserable

[Vermont Green]

At his age, contract & attitude I would pass on him just like Aaron Rodgers

Exactly.  I don't see him going anywhere.  That $55M contract for 2025-26 is going to be hard to trade.

[Big333223]

I haven't watched the Suns at all this year but with all the talent on that team, why are they so dreadful?

[Phantom255x]

At his age, contract & attitude I would pass on him just like Aaron Ridgers

Yeah the thing is, if you're a team that trades for him BUT you give up multiple future 1sts AND 1-2 legit star young players then the reality is, you're sort of decimating your team and future to not be a serious contender like Phoenix lol. I don't think these teams will be stupid this time around. I'm sure there'll be a lot of interest in him but for example, I doubt HOU would be willing to part ways with anyone like Green/Thompson/Sengun in a deal for him.

For example, I think Houston could get it done with Brooks, Reed, Whitmore, Landale and 2 future first round picks (protected) OR Van Vleet, Whitmore and 3 future FRPs. Maybe that's still a lot but I don't think so, HOU keeps Sengun/Green/Thompson and most of their young guys, and they only give up 2 future FRPs. Durant as a 3rd or 4th option and scoring threat is still lethal. He's definitely not an alpha or even #2 at this point in his career.

Phoenix may have to settle for something like that.

[Phantom255x]

I haven't watched the Suns at all this year but with all the talent on that team, why are they so dreadful?

Some of it is locker room drama/tension but the bigger issue is, their defense is terrible. In fact, Booker feels like the only guy who tries on that end. Durant doesn't anymore. The others aren't good on that end to begin with besides Royce O'Neale who is okay on that end but he's also a role player, not a starter.

Another issue is, Beal is very inconsistent and also not reliable in terms of availability. If he actually performed as a consistent #3 option I think they'd be a lot better but he simply hasn't. He's clearly cashing in the checks, and is chilling with his NTC.

Frontcourt is another area of weakness. Between Nurkic, now Richards they don't have enough there and barely have the depth to cover either.

[aefgogreen]

I predict Houston. I think Houston and Memphis both have a shot. He'd make a lot of sense in MEM too. Two darkhorse candidates are probably Dallas and Miami, especially the latter.

If Giannis or another bigger fish is loose this offseason, I think HOU goes hard after them, but if not they might be okay with Durant to go along with Sengun/Green/Thompson. There's no way the bidding or trade price for KD will be huge, not like the last time.

Memphis would be great - I think the biggest obstacle is that KD doesn't want to go there.  Of course, I don't have inside knowledge or anything... Houston isn't going to give up any big talent but they have a ton of picks.

[Phantom255x]

I predict Houston. I think Houston and Memphis both have a shot. He'd make a lot of sense in MEM too. Two darkhorse candidates are probably Dallas and Miami, especially the latter.

If Giannis or another bigger fish is loose this offseason, I think HOU goes hard after them, but if not they might be okay with Durant to go along with Sengun/Green/Thompson. There's no way the bidding or trade price for KD will be huge, not like the last time.

Memphis would be great - I think the biggest obstacle is that KD doesn't want to go there.  Of course, I don't have inside knowledge or anything... Houston isn't going to give up any big talent but they have a ton of picks.

Yeah I thought so too but I didn't realize, because of the salaries it might be very tough for MEM to do it without giving up JJJ, Bane or Morant. And at that point I don't think it's worth it for them. But like you said too, apparently KD at the deadline said he didn't want to go Memphis lol so that may be out the window anyways.

I know Roy mentioned a potential beef with Ime-Durant due to their desires on how to play (Ime is hard-nosed, wants defense, Durant doesn't play much defense anymore) which is valid. But it could also depend on how the playoffs go. If Houston goes down before the WCF and it's due to not scoring enough in games, Durant would feel like a no-brainer IF a bigger fish doesn't become available like Giannis and you can keep all of Sengun/Thompson/Green in the process.

[slightly biased bias fan]

The Suns and Kevin Durant are expected to work on a trade out of Phoenix this summer.

KD had interest in Knicks, Timberwolves, Rockets, Spurs, and Heat at this past trade deadline, per Shams Charania

[Phantom255x]

The Suns and Kevin Durant are expected to work on a trade out of Phoenix this summer.

KD had interest in Knicks, Timberwolves, Rockets, Spurs, and Heat at this past trade deadline, per Shams Charania

Send Mikal Bridges back to Phoenix with KD replacing him in NY 

(I do think his best, more realistic options are the Spurs or Rockets)

[Who]

The Suns and Kevin Durant are expected to work on a trade out of Phoenix this summer.

KD had interest in Knicks, Timberwolves, Rockets, Spurs, and Heat at this past trade deadline, per Shams Charania

Send Mikal Bridges back to Phoenix with KD replacing him in NY 

(I do think his best, more realistic options are the Spurs or Rockets)

That would be cool. Probably M Robinson and M Bridges for K Durant.

Knicks

G: Brunson, McBride
G: J Hart
F: Anunoby
F: Durant
C: Towns, Achiuwa

That Knicks team would be immense. So much firepower. Great role player wings around their 3 offensive players.

Suns

G: Beal
G: D Booker, G Allen
F: M Bridges, R Dunn
F: R O'Neale, Cody Martin
C: M Robinson, N Richards

I wonder if there is any type of deal out there that would allow Phoenix to offload Beal in a Durant deal. Keeping him maintains that problem in the backcourt. Another problem at big forward with Durant leaving. He is their only true big forward on the roster. M Robinson would be a good upgrade at center for them over their current options.

Still, that team with their current chemistry issues which would likely continue due to the mismatch of Beal & Booker would likely struggle to be a .500 team. Maybe a 35 win squad.

Talent wise they should be good enough to be a 40-45 win team ... but I expect they will continue to underachieve as they have done this year due to tough roster balance.

[Phantom255x]

The Suns and Kevin Durant are expected to work on a trade out of Phoenix this summer.

KD had interest in Knicks, Timberwolves, Rockets, Spurs, and Heat at this past trade deadline, per Shams Charania

Send Mikal Bridges back to Phoenix with KD replacing him in NY 

(I do think his best, more realistic options are the Spurs or Rockets)

That would be cool. Probably M Robinson and M Bridges for K Durant.

Knicks

G: Brunson, McBride
G: J Hart
F: Anunoby
F: Durant
C: Towns, Achiuwa

That Knicks team would be immense. So much firepower. Great role player wings around their 3 offensive players.

Suns

G: Beal
G: D Booker, G Allen
F: M Bridges, R Dunn
F: R O'Neale, Cody Martin
C: M Robinson, N Richards

I wonder if there is any type of deal out there that would allow Phoenix to offload Beal in a Durant deal. Keeping him maintains that problem in the backcourt. Another problem at big forward with Durant leaving. He is their only true big forward on the roster. M Robinson would be a good upgrade at center for them over their current options.

Still, that team with their current chemistry issues which would likely continue due to the mismatch of Beal & Booker would likely struggle to be a .500 team. Maybe a 35 win squad.

Talent wise they should be good enough to be a 40-45 win team ... but I expect they will continue to underachieve as they have done this year due to tough roster balance.

Suns are probably cooked. Idk if Booker is even gonna remain there, whether he demands out or the Suns decide to go into a rebuild. Beal has a NTC too so that's a complication.

New York has to try something assuming they flame out in the 1st or 2nd round. Bridges hasn't worked for them and frankly, if they want to maximize this window with Brunson, KAT, OG and Hart they need a proven veteran and ideally a scorer. Durant can give them that. I also think Durant in NY can actually be a motivation for him, trying to play well and help a big market squad in his current age. You can kind of tell he's checked out in Phoenix.

[ozgod]

The Suns and Kevin Durant are expected to work on a trade out of Phoenix this summer.

KD had interest in Knicks, Timberwolves, Rockets, Spurs, and Heat at this past trade deadline, per Shams Charania

Send Mikal Bridges back to Phoenix with KD replacing him in NY 

(I do think his best, more realistic options are the Spurs or Rockets)

That would be cool. Probably M Robinson and M Bridges for K Durant.

Knicks

G: Brunson, McBride
G: J Hart
F: Anunoby
F: Durant
C: Towns, Achiuwa

That Knicks team would be immense. So much firepower. Great role player wings around their 3 offensive players.

Suns

G: Beal
G: D Booker, G Allen
F: M Bridges, R Dunn
F: R O'Neale, Cody Martin
C: M Robinson, N Richards

I wonder if there is any type of deal out there that would allow Phoenix to offload Beal in a Durant deal. Keeping him maintains that problem in the backcourt. Another problem at big forward with Durant leaving. He is their only true big forward on the roster. M Robinson would be a good upgrade at center for them over their current options.

Still, that team with their current chemistry issues which would likely continue due to the mismatch of Beal & Booker would likely struggle to be a .500 team. Maybe a 35 win squad.

Talent wise they should be good enough to be a 40-45 win team ... but I expect they will continue to underachieve as they have done this year due to tough roster balance.

Suns are probably cooked. Idk if Booker is even gonna remain there, whether he demands out or the Suns decide to go into a rebuild. Beal has a NTC too so that's a complication.

New York has to try something assuming they flame out in the 1st or 2nd round. Bridges hasn't worked for them and frankly, if they want to maximize this window with Brunson, KAT, OG and Hart they need a proven veteran and ideally a scorer. Durant can give them that. I also think Durant in NY can actually be a motivation for him, trying to play well and help a big market squad in his current age. You can kind of tell he's checked out in Phoenix.

Apparently he's determined to be a one-team player (unless they trade him of course).

What?s more, Booker doesn?t want it. Booker has long idolized Kobe Bryant, one of the few players in recent decades to spend his entire career with one team, and Booker wants to follow in those footsteps.

?I take pride in the community in Phoenix, the people that have supported me since I was 18 when things were ugly. And the people that are with us, we just fell short of accomplishing what we want. So I want to do it, and I want to do it here. That?s the responsibility of being a franchise player, and I wear that with honor. So it might not look the most pretty right now, but we got to get it done and I?m going to do it.?

https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/suns-owner-ishbia-says-devin-booker-trade-will-never-happen-booker-says-he-doesnt-want-one

Of course this is how he feels today...next season he may have a change of heart if he has to go through another rebuild.