The Phoenix Suns are trending downward regardless of having one of the star-studded rosters within the league, and issues may change dramatically if the workforce decides to commerce a celebrity like Kevin Durant to the Atlanta Hawks.
Suns Commerce Rumors: Phoenix Might Discover Buying and selling Kevin Durant If Bradley Beal Can not Be Moved
The main target is on Suns guard Bradley Beal, who should waive his no-trade clause in his five-year, $251.02 million contract to ensure that Phoenix to finish a blockbuster commerce earlier than the Feb. 6 deadline.
Beal can be owed $110 million over the following two seasons. “He’s a foul contract,” an govt informed ESPN’s Brian Windhorst earlier this week, “however not immovable, if the workforce that’s getting him is aware of they may additionally commerce him later.”
Mark Bartelstein, Beal’s agent, mentioned Beal won’t ever hand over that no-trade clause and it’ll keep in place till his contract is up. Nonetheless, Bartelstein added that Beal would take into account a commerce along with his approval, however the clause would then keep in place and go together with him.
Since Beal is holding one other NBA franchise’s future hostage, the Suns may need to chop ties with one other celebrity, comparable to Durant, so as to improve their roster.
Phoenix-Atlanta Commerce Proposal
YouTube person “BURDENS” proposed the Hawks commerce involving Durant on Monday.
“Kevin Durant has another yr on his deal,” the YouTuber mentioned. “In case you’re not a contender this yr, you’re going to maintain Durant for subsequent yr and let him stroll? Do you not really feel like a Kevin Durant [trade] turns into inevitable if we get to February, and also you’re nonetheless a few video games beneath .500?
“I’m singling out Kevin Durant since you’re not going to get something for Bradley Beal. You’re most likely not getting Jimmy Butler for Bradley Beal; once more, perhaps I’m unsuitable. … Devin Booker continues to be solely 27 years previous, and like I mentioned earlier than, you don’t have any of your picks proper now to construct upon.
“I believe they need to commerce Kevin Durant. … I’ve by no means actually seen them as contenders. I imagine Durant has all the time been at his finest with a real level guard subsequent to him, and much more so at this stage of his profession not doing as a lot off the dribble, having a ball-dominant elite passer like Trae Younger can be an ideal match.
“I’ve the Hawks sending DeAndre Hunter, Onyeka Okongwu, Larry Nance Jr., and two 2026 first-round picks to the Suns for Durant.”
Suns Buying and selling Durant Would Be A Mistake
Notice that simply because the Suns can commerce Durant, doesn’t imply they actually ought to. Durant hasn’t been the issue for the Suns since he’s been there. The Brooklyn Nets traded him to Phoenix in February 2023, and the 14-time All-Star has balled out every season alongside Booker.
In 26 video games (all begins) this season, Durant has averaged 27.2 factors, 6.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 36 minutes per contest whereas capturing 52% from the sphere, 40.3% from 3-point vary, and 84% on the foul line.
Though “BURDEN” may not get to see a possible Durant commerce involving the Hawks, it’s nonetheless doable that Phoenix may find yourself buying and selling Durant as a final resort.
If not Atlanta, maybe the Miami Warmth?
Some followers have talked about Durant going again to the Golden State Warriors as nicely.
