Suns Reportedly Didn't Promise Kevin Durant They'd Trade Him to Heat, Rockets or Spurs
The Phoenix Suns aren't committed to trading Kevin Durant to one of his preferred landing spots including the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets or San Antonio Spurs, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
"Sources say the Suns, meanwhile, are not promising to send Durant to any of those destinations," Stein reported Sunday. "They are open to a mutually beneficial trade to the Spurs, Rockets or Heat if they end up liking the return, but it appears that Phoenix is prepared to make the best deal it can after surrendering a staggering haul to acquire Durant from Brooklyn in the first place in February 2023."
On Saturday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Heat, Spurs and Rockets were the three teams Durant would "commit to long-term" following a potential trade.
Per Charania, the Suns also "made clear to the six to eight seriously interested teams that they will make the best deal for the franchise" even if it meant moving the 36-year-old to an organization "outside his preferred list."
The 15-time All-Star experiencing a change of scenery appears to be on the horizon, with Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reporting Friday that Durant was expected to be moved "in the coming days."
Phoenix initially acquired the star forward in a Feb. 2023 trade with the Brooklyn Nets, sending out Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four unprotected first-round picks in return.
While the Suns missed the playoffs with a 36-46 record during their 2024-25 campaign, Durant put together an efficient individual year.
He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game on 52.7/43.0/83.9 shooting splits in 62 appearances.
Still, Phoenix is reportedly aware that the team may not receive a similar haul for Durant compared to the one that it gave up for him. He only has one year and $54.7 million remaining on his current contract.
That doesn't necessarily mean the Suns will be willing to accept a smaller offer from Miami, Houston or San Antonio in order to move Durant to one of his top destinations, though.
