Latest news with #DevinBooker
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mock Trade Sees Suns, 76ers Swap Superstars After Disappointing Seasons
Mock Trade Sees Suns, 76ers Swap Superstars After Disappointing Seasons originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Phoenix Suns have an interesting offseason ahead of them as they try to bounce back after another disappointing season. Advertisement Phoenix finished the season 11th in the Western Conference standings with an abysmal 36-46 record that caused them to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign. Due to this, they are expected to make some major changes to their roster this summer, including breaking up their big three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant (35), Bradley Beal (3) and Devin Booker (1) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Footprint J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Of course, most of the headlines have surrounded the Suns moving on from Durant as they are in active trade talks with multiple teams to trade away the future Hall of Famer. Phoenix is also expected to look for a new home for Beal as they try to rebuild their roster around Booker. Advertisement While the Suns have reportedly been looking to rebuild around Booker for their future, there is still a chance they move on from him if they receive a large enough offer. Reggie Hildred-Imagn ImagesReggie Hildred-Imagn Images With this in mind, Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey recently came up with a mock trade that would see the Suns and Philadelphia 76ers swap superstars after both teams put together disappointing seasons. In the trade, Bailey has Philadelphia sending Paul George and four first-round picks, including the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 draft, to the Suns for Booker. 'Adding that pick (2025 No. 3 overall pick) to two more firsts and a far-future pick swap would give the Suns a good batch of draft assets to tip off a rebuild. And trading George somewhere down the line for more assets wouldn't be out of the question either,' Bailey wrote. Advertisement While this trade would help the Suns kickstart their rebuild, it is likely that they are going to be unwilling to move on from Booker this offseason. Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George looks on against the Golden State Streicher-Imagn Images Despite this, adding four first-round picks along with George, who they could trade again in the future, would set them up well to start off their rebuild. While that may be the case, the Suns are expected to keep Booker this summer as they try to turn things around with him leading the way. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phoenix Suns could trade Kevin Durant, then swing another trade involving young star
The Phoenix Suns are working tirelessly to find a trade that brings back a strong return for Kevin Durant. So far, several suitors have expressed some level of interest in the 36-year-old superstar. Yet, the Suns haven't found an offer to their liking, and have even been underwhelmed by some of them. Surely, the Suns are kicking around a large number of trade scenarios in the front office. Some, might even involve a third team. Or maybe even swinging one trade, then quickly using one of the trade chips recovered from the Durant deal to flip him elsewhere. Advertisement According to Hoops Hype's Mike Scotto, the Suns have even been working to find a trade destination for Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets, just in case they end up acquiring him in the Durant deal. 'In a potential trade with the Suns for Durant, Houston could include guard Jalen Green and his $33.33 million salary for the 2025-26 season. With guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal already on the roster, having failed to trade Beal as the Suns attempted to before the trade deadline, Phoenix has done background on Green to gauge his value around the league in case Green is acquired, and it's worthwhile to flip him again via trade, league sources told HoopsHype.' Mike Scotto on Phoenix Suns/Jalen Green It's worth noting that the Rockets are one of three teams on Durant's reported list of preferred destinations. The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs are the other two. Yet, the Suns haven't liked the offers from these teams thus far. Green has averaged 20.1 points per game since arriving as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He's still just 23 years old and could be poised to have even bigger seasons ahead. Related: Kevin Durant trade expected to bring lesser return than Desmond Bane Related Headlines
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Suns Have Bradley Beal Expectation After Kevin Durant Move
Suns Have Bradley Beal Expectation After Kevin Durant Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It is set to be an interesting offseason for the Phoenix Suns as they try to turn their franchise around after another disappointing season. Advertisement Of course, the headline entering the offseason for Phoenix is their potential trade of their star forward Kevin Durant. Durant is likely to be moved this summer and it could come before the 2025 NBA Draft as the Suns look to add another first-round pick. With Durant likely on the move, Phoenix is set to rebuild their roster around Devin Booker, though they may also have to keep Bradley Beal due to his nearly untradeable contract. Phoenix Suns stars Devin Booker (1), Bradley Beal (3) and Kevin Durant (35)Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Phoenix tried trading Beal at the trade deadline but he was unwilling to waive his no-trade clause and he also did not receive a ton of interest from other teams due to his poor season and injury history. Advertisement Because of this, the Suns may be stuck with Beal again next season and they have clear expectations for the 31-year-old guard with Durant likely off the roster. 'There is likewise some hope within the Suns that moving Durant could possibly present Beal with more offensive opportunity to produce in a manner you'd expect from a player with that sort of contract,' Fischer wrote. 'As The Stein Line has previously reported, various candidates considered during the Suns' recent coaching search were asked how they would try to get the best out of Beal if he remained a Sun.' While the Suns are reportedly hoping that Beal will be able to improve offensively next season without Durant, that may not be the case, especially due to his poor fit next to Booker. Advertisement Beal was moved to the bench this season due to his poor fit in the starting lineup and with his struggles since joining the Suns in 2023, it is likely that he will not give Phoenix what they expect from a player making the salary that he is. Apr 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) and guard Devin Booker (1) react on the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Despite this, Beal could benefit from Durant's potential departure but there is no doubt that the Suns need him to play at a higher level next season if they elect to keep him. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Boston Globe
5 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Suns need to start trying to find a trade partner for Kevin Durant
With Devin Booker still considered the franchise cornerstone and Bradley Beal having perhaps the most unmovable contract in the NBA, the Suns have no choice but to move Durant to clear salary cap space and begin a semblance of a rebuild. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up There is considerable interest in Durant because he could serve as the final piece to a championship puzzle. He remains durable and low maintenance and is aging well despite a torn Achilles' tendon six years ago. Related : Advertisement Here is a list of potential Durant destinations and how he could impact their title chances: ROCKETS — They were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, a meteoric rise after missing the playoffs last season but one thing they missed was a veteran, reliable scorer. The Rockets are just too young, and Jalen Green was unable to uplift the offense in the series loss to the Warriors. Houston needs a prolific scorer and has enough assets to make a trade work. The question is Durant's contract status. He is a free agent at season's end and may need to commit to an extension for a deal to work. Advertisement KNICKS — They are here because they are always here, looking to make splashy moves despite their rise to the Eastern Conference finals. They've already fired coach Tom Thibodeau and are in the midst of searching for his replacement, having contacted six NBA teams for permission to speak to their coach, and they've been denied six times. A Durant deal would require the Knicks to send Karl-Anthony Towns to Phoenix and there is concern that adding Durant but unloading Towns would make the Knicks different but not necessarily better. This is a move the Knicks probably shouldn't make, but that is all the reason to believe they will go through with it. TIMBERWOLVES — They have the assets to make a deal if Julius Randle opts into the first year of his contract at $30 million. The Wolves could package Randle, Jaden McDaniels and a couple of first-round picks for Durant, who would team with his mentee Anthony Edwards . Like the Knicks, the question Minnesota management would have to answer is whether the Wolves are better with Durant but without two reliable starters. SPURS — This may be the best fit for Durant, who would return to Texas, where he went to college, to help an organization desperate to return to prominence. The Spurs have plenty of young talent and assets to offer the Suns. Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson could be packaged along with draft assets. San Antonio has been a welcoming place for players in their final years and Durant would immediately upgrade the offense. Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle are the past two Rookie of the Year award winners and De'Aaron Fox is cemented at point guard after his acquisition from Sacramento. Advertisement HEAT — Miami was dispatched in the first round of the playoffs by the Cavaliers, ending what was a tumultuous season in dealing with the Jimmy Butler fiasco. The Heat may not have enough assets and may not want to part with a prospect such as Kel'el Ware . Miami doesn't have much to offer — the final year of Duncan Robinson's and Terry Rozier's deals — along with Andrew Wiggins and draft assets. Any deal with Miami would be highly unlikely. Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at
Forbes
5 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Kevin Durant Would Have Been Interested In Knicks: Report
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 28: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of ... More game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 28, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 122-116 and win the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) Kevin Durant would have placed the Knicks among his top destinations, but the team didn't want to trade for him, according to a report from veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein. "New York made it clear that it's decided against pursuing a trade for' him, Stein reported. Durant, who is due to make almost $55 million next season, is now focused on three teams – the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat – according to ESPN. He remains linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he and Anthony Edwards would form one of the league's most potent dynamic duos. The Phoenix Suns have reportedly made it clear that they plan on dealing the 37-year-old Durant in exchange for a bevy of assets. Meantime, former NBA player Jay Williams suggested Monday on 'Get Up' that the Knicks consider trading Karl-Anthony Towns straight up for Durant. 'Devin Booker has a great relationship with Karl-Anthony Towns, so if Devin Booker wants Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker has to state what he wants,' Williams said. Booker is due to make about $53 million next season. If the Knicks were to hypothetically make that trade, they could play Mitchell Robinson at the five and Durant at the four as they bid for the franchise's first NBA championship since 1973. 'That is a gigantic story, having a mega star like KD playing at the Garden,' ESPN's Alan Hahn said. 'I just don't think right now that's on the on the front burner for this Knicks team.' The team just fired former coach Tom Thibodeau after he led to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000. New York has been denied permission to speak with multiple sitting head coaches, including Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, who used to coach Jalen Brunson. The Knicks are set to interview Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins this week.
