Phoenix Suns All-Stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have been the subjects of trade rumors throughout the 2024-25 NBA season. Durant was reportedly close to being traded to the Golden State Warriors before the deadline, while Booker also drew interest from other teams. Though the Suns have stated they won’t move Booker, no option is entirely off the table.
According to Duane Rankin of AZCentral, the Suns’ ideal return for Durant would be “three first-round picks and a young player as part of a multi-team deal tied to getting under the second apron.” Meanwhile, for Booker, “the Suns could probably get four first-round picks and a rising star in his third or fourth year.”
The Suns have struggled to find success despite acquiring Durant, as they were eliminated in the second round last season by the Denver Nuggets, who went on to win the championship. While Durant is a superstar, the franchise has long been considered Booker’s team, as he was drafted in 2015 and helped lead Phoenix to the 2021 NBA Finals.
The trade for Durant cost the Suns four first-round picks, Mikal Bridges, and Cam Johnson, yet the results haven’t lived up to expectations. Adding Bradley Beal after the 2022-23 season created a “Big 3” experiment that has been hindered by injuries and inconsistent play.
Rankin also reported that after Phoenix’s interest in acquiring Jimmy Butler earlier in the season, “a league source floated an idea to The Republic having the Suns trade Durant for Butler in the summer.”
If the Suns fail to make the play-in tournament, this season could be considered one of the biggest letdowns in NBA history. If that happens, the front office may be forced to explore major roster changes.
