The Phoenix Suns will probably trade Kevin Durant this summer, but where to?
Everyone’s saying that Durant leaving Phoenix is a sure thing, and the Suns are expected to build a new era around Devin Booker.
In identifying trade partners for KD, the Suns are going to look for teams with substantial first-round draft capital, making the San Antonio Spurs one of the organizations on the shortlist.
The Spurs have unprotected firsts in 2031 and 2029 to offer the Suns in a Durant deal. San Antonio could also throw in a 2027 unprotected first from Atlanta if Phoenix’s asking price for Durant climbs during negotiations.
Once the draft capital being exchanged is established, there are a few ways the Suns and Spurs could make the salaries work, assuming San Antonio keeps Stephon Castle off-limits in negotiations.
One package for Durant could be Harrison Barnes (expiring after next season), Jeremy Sochan (expiring after next season), and Keldon Johnson ($35 million over the next two seasons). Barnes, Sochan, and Johnson represent just under $43.6 million next season (compared to Durant’s $54.7 million).
Another package for Durant: Barnes and Devin Vassell ($105.7 million over the next four seasons).
Either of the above packages paired with two or three first-round draft picks for Durant are likely offers from San Antonio.
Unless the Suns feel strongly about Vassell, the first package is more optimal because Phoenix would have Barnes and Sochan off the books by 2026 and then just one more season of Johnson at $17.5 million in 2026-27.
There’s also basketball fit to consider. Getting three rotational players for 2025-26 (as opposed to two in the second package) would be a beefier return, and Johnson — a bigger wing than Vassell — fits better alongside Booker.
Durant would be thrilled to join the Spurs, and a core of De’Aaron Fox, Castle, Victor Wembanyama, and Durant would be seen as a contender.
KD’s market will be strong, so San Antonio might be trumped by a better offer, especially if they’re unwilling to move Castle.
In terms of draft capital, though, few teams other than the Houston Rockets or Oklahoma City Thunder can do much better than San Antonio in a deal for Durant.
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