Suns face draft night deadline: will Kevin Durant trade secure top-10 pick?

As the Phoenix Suns scramble to trade Kevin Durant before draft night, their high demands and need to move Bradley Beal complicate negotiations. The outcome will determine if they can secure a valuable top-10 draft pick, shaping their future roster.

Sources:
NBC SportsArizonasports
Updated 5h ago
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Sources: NBC SportsArizonasports
The Phoenix Suns are under pressure to finalize a trade involving Kevin Durant by draft night, with the goal of securing a valuable top-10 pick.

The team is collaborating closely with Durant's longtime agent, Rich Kleiman, but no concrete deal has materialized yet. The Suns have emphasized the importance of prioritizing the best possible return for the franchise.

Interest from teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets is evident, but complexities remain. For instance, the Spurs have requested high-value assets like reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle or the No. 2 pick in exchange for taking Durant.

"The Suns have made it clear to Durant’s camp that they need to prioritize the best return for the team in a deal," sources say.

Additionally, uncertainty surrounds whether potential trade partners are willing to immediately sign Durant to a two-year extension, a key factor in negotiations.

"I do think the Suns need to have something locked down by draft night, because it’s arguable that a realistic trade with Houston or Toronto, especially, means the best asset coming back is a top-10 pick," an insider noted.

Durant reportedly prefers playing with the Spurs alongside Victor Wembanyama, but Minnesota, despite genuine interest, is not a favored destination for him.

Overall, the Suns face a challenging deadline to convert interest into a deal that balances Durant’s preferences with the franchise’s strategic needs.
Sources: NBC SportsArizonasports
The Phoenix Suns face a draft night deadline to finalize a trade involving Kevin Durant, aiming to secure a top-10 pick. Despite interest from teams like San Antonio and Houston, no deal has emerged, with the Suns prioritizing the best return amid uncertain extension commitments from potential suitors.
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Key Facts
  • Kevin Durant wants to play for the San Antonio Spurs alongside Victor Wembanyama and DeAaron Fox, showing a preference for this team over others.NBC Sports
  • The Phoenix Suns are working with Durants longtime agent Rich Kleiman to find a trade deal, but so far no acceptable offers have emerged.NBC Sports
  • Durant has no interest in being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves despite their genuine interest in acquiring him.NBC Sports
  • The Suns have made it clear they prioritize the best return for the team over Durants trade preferences.NBC Sports
  • Durants trade market has stalled as the Suns demand high returns including the Spurs No. 2 draft pick or players like reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.Arizonasports
  • The Suns are in a tricky position needing to trade both Durant and Bradley Beal, which complicates negotiations and lowers the quality of offers.Arizonasports
  • There is uncertainty if teams like the Rockets and Spurs will sign Durant to a two-year extension immediately after a trade, which limits the bids Suns receive.Arizonasports
  • The Suns need to finalize a trade by draft night to secure a top-10 pick as part of the deal, especially in trades involving Houston or Toronto.Arizonasports
The Suns are working with Durant’s longtime business partner and agent, Rich Kleiman, to find a deal that works for both parties. So far, that trade has yet to emerge.
NBC Sports
NBC Sports
I do think the Suns need to have something locked down by draft night, because it’s arguable that a realistic trade with Houston or Toronto, especially, means the best asset coming back is a top-10 pick.
Arizonasports
Arizonasports
Key Stats at a Glance
San Antonio Spurs No. 2 draft pick
No. 2 pick
Arizonasports
Top-10 draft pick
top-10 pick
Arizonasports
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