The Phoenix Suns were atop Kevin Durant’s wish list when he initially demanded a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, but a workable trade has yet to materialize.
We’ve seen plenty of rumors surrounding Phoenix and what a potential package might look like. After the Suns matched an offer sheet for Deandre Ayton, many insiders believed Phoenix to be out of the running
Here’s what The Athletic’s Shams Charania said on the Suns’ current standing with Brooklyn:
“The Phoenix Suns similarly have dangled a package around All-Defensive wing Mikal Bridges and a handful of first-round draft picks, which has not picked up any steam with the Nets, league sources said.
“With Deandre Ayton signed to a four-year maximum contract and unable to be moved until January, Phoenix has attempted over the past month to make creative proposals to Brooklyn, possibly via three- or four-team trades where an All-Star-caliber player goes to the Nets. But the Suns have yet to find a suitable deal — and that is largely why they appear to be behind Boston, Toronto and Miami in the Durant sweepstakes.”
Charania then dove into who currently leads the race:
“Among the interested teams, the Celtics have been viewed across the league as the clear-cut answer as the team that has the ingredients to make a deal with Brooklyn happen. For now, Boston has not included guard Marcus Smart or center Robert Williams in a proposal, sources said.
“The Celtics have up to three first-round picks available to trade to Brooklyn. When Brooklyn rejected Boston’s offer last month, the Nets countered by requesting Brown, Smart, draft picks and potentially one more rotation player, according to sources.”
Memphis is the latest team to be linked with interest in Durant, but the Grizzlies, according to Charania, have not wanted to part with Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane in any trade.
