Durant Aware of Upcoming Trade
It has become widely known that the Phoenix Suns will move on from Durant after the season. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst confirmed that both Durant and the organization understand a trade is inevitable, but praised the star forward for his professionalism.
“They’re going to trade him. And he knows that. There’s been a couple of opportunities where he could have criticized them for trying to trade him. He has been very professional about this. I expect that to continue throughout the rest of the regular season,” Windhorst stated.
“He’s going to try and win every game he’s out there for. And then in the offseason, he sort of gave himself an ad there. ‘Whatever team gets me, you know I’m going to make a difference – I am still in my prime.'”
Windhorst added, “I think he has handled this very appropriately. Look, I know that the Warriors wanted him, it didn’t work out, he said he didn’t want to be there… KD has set himself up for his last act. I think everybody’s intentions are crystal clear here.”
Durant has every reason to be frustrated with the Suns. The anticipated Big Three of Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker has failed to live up to expectations, leaving fans disappointed. Some have even blamed Durant for Booker’s struggles, despite his efforts to defend himself. NBA executives also doubt the Suns’ ability to contend this season.
With time running out on his career, a fresh start might be exactly what Durant needs to chase another championship.
Could Durant Land in Dallas?
Sam Amick of The Athletic previously reported that the Dallas Mavericks were exploring ways to create a superstar trio featuring Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis. While the trade deadline passed without a move, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison could attempt to land Durant this summer.
“League sources say the Dallas Mavericks, fresh off their Luka Doncic-for-Anthony Davis swap that sent shockwaves through the Association, have dreams of adding Durant to their Davis-Kyrie Irving-led group,” Amick wrote.
“While the likelihood of Dallas pulling this off now appears unlikely, the mere idea of Durant joining Dallas’ star-studded group sheds new light on the thinking of Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison after he was roundly ridiculed for the Doncic deal.”
Amick also noted that Dallas could be targeting more than just Durant, hinting at another potential blockbuster move. “Whether it’s Durant (now or later), or perhaps even the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James in the summer if he were to decline his player option for next season, the 52-year-old Harrison appears to be targeting big-time stars with whom he’s very familiar from his past life as a top Nike executive. The goal, of course, is to win a championship as soon as possible.”
If Durant joins the Mavericks, he would reunite with Irving, his former Brooklyn Nets teammate, and potentially Thompson, his former Warriors co-star with whom he won two NBA titles. While it wouldn’t fully justify Dallas moving on from Luka Dončić, it could give them a short-term championship window.
