The Phoenix Suns have already made some drastic changes to their personnel beyond the hardwood.
Majority owner Mat Ishbia hired first-time head coach Jordan Ott to serve as his fourth coach in as many seasons at the helm of the franchise.
Ishbia also promoted Brian Gregory to serve as the Suns' new general manager, while shifting former GM James Jones into a more ancillary front office role. The three-time NBA champion is now a senior advisor.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) enters the game during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Moody Center.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) enters the game during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Moody Center.
Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Next, the talk turns to perhaps Phoenix's toughest decision of the summer: where it should trade Kevin Durant.
After Phoenix nearly traded him at this year's deadline during an unhappy 36-46 season run, the 15-time All-Star and two-time Finals MVP appears to be looking for an exit this summer.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Durant's business partner and agent Rich Kleiman is said to be in talks with the Suns about securing a possible new landing spot for the NBA's four-time leading scorer.
The Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs — both of whom boast a top-10 pick in this year's draft — are said to be among the frontrunners vying for the University of Texas at Austin product's services, as are the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and New York Knicks.
Durant is, notoriously, one of the most perpetually online modern NBA players, and well aware of his legacy and reputation around the league. No doubt he is as aware as anyone about how these current trade talks could affect his standing among his fellow all-time greats.
It seems Durant could find a new team sooner than later.
In a new piece Friday, Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps of ESPN indicated that the 6-foot-11 superstar could be dealt as soon as the first round of the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, less than two weeks from now.
"What does seem clear is that this saga could easily be wrapped up on, or by, draft night on June 25. And with the weak free agent class and the lack of teams with cap space, one source said this year's draft could easily wind up being an even busier night than normal -- and it could be the high point of activity this summer."