The Phoenix Suns are expected to trade Kevin Durant this summer—it’s one of the worst-kept secrets in sports. But which team will he go to? And for what return? Those details remain uncertain, but Suns owner Mat Ishbia doesn’t seem like the type to sit back while his team finishes below .500 with the highest payroll in league history.
With Bradley Beal’s contract practically unmovable, the Suns have limited options unless Devin Booker decides he wants out. To regain financial flexibility and recover draft capital after years of sacrificing future assets for the KD-Booker experiment, Phoenix’s only real move is trading Durant—whether they want to or not.
That means 29 other NBA fanbases will be keeping a close eye on Durant’s future in the coming months. Every team would love to have him. Even if logic says no, the heart says yes. He remains one of the most gifted scorers in basketball history.
But while many teams may want Durant, only a select few have the assets and motivation to make it happen. That’s why Nick Wright’s recent claim on Fox Sports about the Boston Celtics as a potential suitor is… puzzling.
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Nick Wright Cites Sources Linking Celtics to Kevin Durant
“Two totally unrelated people, both of whom have reputations for knowing things that other people don’t know, have said to me watch out for Durant in Boston,” Wright said on FOX’s First Things First.
“Two totally unrelated people, both of whom have reputations for knowing things that other people don’t know, have said to me watch out for Durant in Boston”—Nick Wright 👀 pic.twitter.com/BbZjqpnvOS
— CelticsUnite (@CelticsUnite18) March 25, 2025
The Suns are hitting their stride at the right time, just as the playoffs and Play-In Tournament approach. Durant continues to perform at an elite level, so naturally, teams are preparing to make their moves.
But Boston? That Boston? The reigning champions with the deepest, most balanced roster in the Eastern Conference?
It doesn’t add up. What could the Celtics realistically offer? Durant is owed $54.7 million next season, and Boston’s payroll is already packed. Any trade would require precise salary matching. Durant is still an elite player, but he’s also a 36-year-old on the final year of his contract, with a history of abrupt departures. Would the Celtics really risk disrupting their well-oiled machine for one year of KD?
It’s safe to assume Boston wouldn’t part with Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown—though a Brown-Durant swap is an intriguing fantasy. Kristaps Porzingis would be an attractive piece for Phoenix, given their need for a defensive anchor, but it’s unlikely Boston would part with him. His rim protection was a key factor in the team’s 2024 championship run.
That leaves trade scenarios involving Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and other role players. The Suns might have some interest since their goal is to acquire cost-controlled contracts and build depth. However, with Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and possibly Tyus Jones already in place, Phoenix doesn’t necessarily need more guards—even if Holiday and White would improve their defense.
Durant’s offensive firepower would fit Boston’s high-volume three-point attack, but the risk outweighs the reward. The Celtics already have a championship-caliber roster with strong chemistry. It’s hard to imagine Brad Stevens taking a gamble on a short-term Durant experiment.
So, with all due respect to Nick Wright’s sources, I’m calling this rumor a stretch.
