New Suns GM on new role, Kevin Durant’s, Bradley Beal’s future with team
“There’s a baseline of talent that can put us in a good position moving forward,” Brian Gregory said.
- Several NBA teams eliminated from the 2025 playoffs could benefit from adding Kevin Durant.
- The Suns are looking for a player who can help them contend for a championship next season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are already in the 2025 NBA Finals.
The top overall seed took Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves out in five games in the Western Conference finals, winning the closeout by 30 points on May 28, after leading by as many as 39 points.
The Indiana Pacers are a win away from returning to the finals for the first time since 2000. Tyrese Haliburton wasn’t even six months old when Indiana last played for a title.
The Pacers have a 3-2 lead over the New York Knicks going into Saturday’s Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals in Indianapolis.
The eliminated playoff teams have to be, on some level, wondering what they need to do in the offseason to improve their championship chances.
Enter Kevin Durant.
The Phoenix Suns entertained trade talks involving the all-time great before the 2025 trade deadline. They’re bound to do the same this summer.
This all leads to the following question: Which playoff teams need Durant the most to make a strong push to the finals next season?
Disclaimer: A third or even a fourth team may be required to execute a trade involving Durant, but this will just focus on two-team deals.
Minnesota Timberwolves (eliminated conference finals)
Minnesota needs someone who Anthony Edwards can play off to find favorable matchups. Durant gives the Suns that as well, as a proven closer. The Durant-Edwards combo is fascinating.
Who should Phoenix want in return: Julius Randle. He must opt into his player option to be traded, but Randle is a scorer who can address a need at the four.
Landing young talent like Rob Dillingham or Jaylen Clark would help Phoenix, too.
Spotrac successful trade financially: Timberwolves get Ryan Dunn and Durant. Suns get Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, Dillingham and Clark.
Golden State Warriors (eliminated second round)
The Durant reunion with Stephen Curry and the Warriors seems too good to be true, but Golden State’s offense went south against the T-Wolves after Curry got hurt.
Who should Phoenix want in return: Jimmy Butler, the guy they wanted from the beginning. The Suns need someone who can impact the game on both ends. They would just need Butler to be more aggressive to score.
Spotrac successful trade financially: Warriors get Durant. Suns get Butler.
If the Dallas Mavericks can trade Luka Doncic, who is to say the Memphis Grizzlies wouldn’t entertain moving Ja Morant?
Scottie Pippen Jr. can handle the one. Durant certainly is effective as a facilitator. Again, Durant’s a closer and can play a natural three with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey.
Who should the Suns want in return: Morant. The Grizzlies probably wouldn’t bite, but they may be willing to deal Desmond Bane. A Bane-Booker backcourt would mean crazy scoring potential.
Spotrac successful trade financially: Grizzlies get Durant. Suns get Brandon Clarke and Morant or Bane.
A Desert Vista graduate, Clarke should be ready for the 2025-26 season after suffering a season-ending injury to his right knee.
The Rockets shouldn’t think about moving Amen Thompson. He’s their best overall player. All-Star Alperen Sengun should be untradeable, too, but the Rockets need a postseason closer.
Who should Phoenix want in return: The Suns could pair Jalen Green with Booker, but landing Jabari Smith Jr. in a deal would give them frontcourt versatility.
The Suns need some of those draft picks, too.
Spotrac successful trade financially: Rockets get Durant. Suns get Jock Landale, Smith Jr. and Green.
Detroit Pistons (eliminated first round)
The Pistons have established a physical, in-your-face style of play that makes them highly competitive. Cade Cunningham is a star. He could use an elite running mate.
Who should Phoenix want in return: Ausar Thompson, but like Houston, Detroit shouldn’t consider moving him. Tobias Harris would be a solid pickup as would Jaden Ivey, who is working his way back from a broken left fibula. Very talented player.
Spotrac successful trade financially: Pistons get Durant. Suns get Simone Fontecchio, Harris and Ivey.
Miami Heat (eliminated first round)
The Heat can drastically improve with Durant, but who would Miami be willing to deal?
Who should the Suns want in return: Tyler Herro or Bam Adebayo for starters. Can’t see Miami moving either one. Andrew Wiggins would be next in line.
Spotrac successful trade financially: Heat get Durant. Suns get Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson and Kel’el Ware.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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