It’s widely expected that Kevin Durant will request a trade from the Phoenix Suns after this season. The team had already attempted to move him before the 2024 trade deadline, making it highly likely they will grant his request, especially considering they have only one playoff series win during his tenure.
Several teams, including the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs, have been mentioned as potential destinations. However, given Durant’s elite status, the Suns should attract more suitors beyond these four teams.
With the Detroit Pistons concluding their rebuild and preparing for a rare playoff push, acquiring Durant before next season could significantly strengthen their position in the competitive Eastern Conference.
“It still feels like the Pistons are a few years away from making a trade like this, but they have several first-round picks and are no longer the bottom-feeders of the league,” wrote The Sporting News’ Stephen Noh in an article exploring Durant’s possible landing spots. “Cade Cunningham could be the Most Improved Player this season, and he and Durant would be a crazy duo.”
While Cunningham is untouchable in trade talks as he enjoys his first All-Star season, the Pistons still possess valuable trade assets.
“Tobias Harris’ $26.6 million expiring contract is a nice trade chip for the team. He’d be going out in a Durant deal, along with some promising young players and picks,” Noh continued. “The Pistons have a lot, including Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.”
Detroit has six first-round picks available for trade or swap, and by packaging Harris with Isaiah Stewart and a young prospect, a deal for Durant could become feasible. A core rotation featuring Cunningham, Durant, Duren/Stewart, Ivey/Holland, Thompson, and Malik Beasley would be among the strongest in the league.
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