Begin the Photoshopping of Kevin Durant in different uniforms.
ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst mentioned Wednesday that Durant is a near-lock to be traded by the Suns this offseason.
“Kevin Durant, I’m like 98 percent sure he’s not going to be a Sun next year,” Windhorst mentioned of the veteran. “How it works out? I’m about one percent sure. There’s going to be a number of teams interested, but some of it is going to depend on whether Durant is a player they keep on a one-year contract or they want to give him a contract extension, which I suspect he’s going to want.”
Durant has typically been talked about in commerce rumors coming off a disastrous Suns season, which may result in the crew blowing up the roster within the hope of a greater future.
The Suns reportedly wish to hold Devin Booker, whereas Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause that complicates issues.
The 36-year-old Durant remains to be one of many NBA’s high scorers and has one 12 months left on his deal, making him an acquirable asset for groups trying to recover from the hump.
He would certainly value an buying crew lower than what it might take to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, though a potential extension may scare off some groups.
Fellow NBA ESPN insider Shams Charania beforehand reported that the Suns, Durant and his enterprise associate, Wealthy Kleiman, are “working together” on his “next trade home.”
The Rockets have been talked about as a potential commerce associate after falling within the first spherical because the No. 2 seed to the Warriors.
Durant is “very interested” in Houston, per The Athletic, however there are reservations about whether or not the franchise would alter its younger core.
There was hypothesis that another groups that additionally fell quick within the playoffs, just like the Rockets, may eye Durant in an try to bolster their possibilities of successful a title.
The 76ers and even the Knicks have additionally been referenced as potential touchdown spots, whereas the Spurs are anticipated to be within the commerce market attributable to their younger core and ample belongings.
A possible Durant commerce may come throughout what Charania predicts “might be the craziest” offseason ever.
“This is the most, I think, anticipation team executives have had over an offseason,” Charania mentioned Tuesday on the “Pat McAfee Show.”
Durant simply accomplished this third season with the Suns and averaged 26.6 factors whereas capturing 52.7 % throughout a 36-46 season that resulted in coach Mike Budenholzer being fired after one 12 months.
