Kevin Durant trade odds favor Thunder, 76ers, Spurs, Pelicans over star staying with Suns
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith recently speculated about Devin Booker potentially being traded to the New York Knicks, which several NBA people shot down, including Charles Barkley.
But there's now chatter about the Phoenix Suns potentially trading another of the team's "Big 3": Kevin Durant.
Booker is the face of the franchise and Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause, so trading Durant might make the most sense for Phoenix, should it decide to try something new next season after being swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
But does it make sense for the Suns to trade Durant?
One site seems to think so, as it has created odds for Durant's next team. Interestingly, four teams have better odds to have Durant next season than the NBA star's current team, the Suns.
Bookies.com gives Phoenix +800 odds to have Durant next season, behind the Oklahoma City Thunder (+350), Philadelphia 76ers (+450), San Antonio Spurs (+500) and New Orleans Pelicans (+550).
The New York Knicks (+1400), Miami Heat (+1500), and Detroit Pistons (+1800) are the only other teams specified in the site's odds, with the field given +600 odds to have Durant in the 2024-25 NBA season.
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VOTE: Should the Phoenix #Suns trade Kevin Durant in the #NBA offseason? #ItTakesEverything (Speculation, odds: https://t.co/fEWICJm9Jl)
— Jeremy Cluff (@Jeremy_Cluff) May 1, 2024
Could the Phoenix Suns trade Kevin Durant?
Trading Durant might be the only way for the Suns to get back some major assets to add depth to the team, and future draft picks, as well as alleviate some salary cap penalties, but the team would also be giving up a star player.
Adam Thompson wrote in the odds story: "Durant is still considered, by most pundits, to be one of the top 10 players in the NBA. In a league where stars win championships, some believe trading Durant puts management on the edge of insanity. But now both Brooklyn and Phoenix did not match expectations. Durant is due over $51-54 million annually over the next two seasons. The Suns can keep him or trade him anywhere and get a king’s ransom that could alter their entire roster for years to come. Why Durant and not another of the Big Three to move? Booker is eight years younger than Durant, while Beal -- the clear No. 1 choice to move if management has a choice -- has a no-trade clause. Also, he's the one reportedly unhappy with his personal role. Dump the malcontent and perhaps morale, and team play, improves?"
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Does Kevin Durant want to be traded?
A recent report from The Athletic seemed to indicate that Durant was unhappy with his role in Phoenix, but that doesn't mean he wants to be traded.
"Durant, among the best scorers in NBA history, was not always happy with how he was used," the report said. "Sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic that Durant never felt comfortable with his role in Phoenix’s offense alongside Booker and Beal this season. Those sources said Durant had persistent issues with the offense, feeling that he was being relegated to the corner far too often and not having the proper designs to play to his strengths as the offense was built around pick-and-rolls. At the same time, some teammates and people close to the organization believed Durant needed to voice his concerns more adamantly and directly with Vogel and his coaching staff."
Interestingly, Durant talked about continuity after the Suns were eliminated by the Timberwolves on Sunday.
"Continuity is important. All the great teams have been together for two to three years. Minnesota. Denver. Boston."
That doesn't sound to me like someone who wants to be traded.
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"Continuity is important. All the great teams have been together for two to three years. Minnesota. Denver. Boston." Kevin Durant. #Suns #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/qE5GzC7hr5
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 29, 2024
Speculation of a possible Kevin Durant trade picking up steam
Still, speculation about a possible Kevin Durant trade from the Phoenix Suns has picked up steam on social media.
Who is getting traded, Kevin Durant or Devin Booker?
Our wager 💵
(Beal has a no trade) pic.twitter.com/CKied3OoYD— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) April 29, 2024
Don’t be surprised if the Thunder reach out to Phoenix in the off season regarding Kevin Durant’s (age 35, two years remaining) availability and a possible third team to help facilitate. Beal has a no trade, and his value is at an all-time low, and Booker is untouchable. pic.twitter.com/22PWAu8CJr
— cabrillo. (@cabrillo24) April 29, 2024
After some thought, I've decided the best case scenario for the Suns and Suns fans is to move KD while he still has value. Of course, if you can somehow get off of Beal's contract you do that, too, but that is not very realistic.
Booker doesn't need to be surrounded by other…— Suns Uniform Tracker (@SunsUniTracker) May 1, 2024
The top trending players being used in mock trades are Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, & Bradley Beal. Chris Paul at #8 is funny. pic.twitter.com/TazwAdzN1o
— Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) April 30, 2024
Here we go again 🙄
Craig Carton claims Kevin Durant is on the move this offseason and believes he could be headed to the New York Knicks via trade. pic.twitter.com/kzwWZX5bwV— KNICKS BEAST (@KnicksBeast) April 24, 2024
Do you think the Suns should try to trade Kevin Durant this offseason?
Do you think they will?
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns' Kevin Durant next team odds favor Thunder, 76ers, Spurs trades
