While the basketball world has been expecting the Phoenix Suns to trade Kevin Durant for weeks, the Memphis Grizzlies came out of left field with a blockbuster deal of their own on Sunday. They shipped out guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, guard Cole Anthony, four first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap.
Durant could be the next player on the move, as he named the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs as his top destinations, via ESPN's Shams Charania. The 36-year-old is entering the twilight of his career, but he was still sixth in the NBA with 26.6 points per game on 52.7 percent shooting (43 percent 3 PT) across 62 games this season.
New intel surfaced on Monday regarding the level of compensation the Suns could receive for Durant, via ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5).
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5).
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
“In speaking with several sources Sunday in the wake of the Bane deal, the universal belief is that any draft packages going to Phoenix in a Durant deal likely won’t surpass the haul of draft picks coming to Memphis for Bane, who hasn’t yet made an All-Star team," he reported.
Bane averaged 7.4 fewer points than Durant this season, but is still just 26 years old. Bane will also make $36.7 million next season and is under contract through 2029, while Durant will make $54.7 million and is entering the final year of his deal.
Durant has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons with the Suns after they acquired him from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022.
In addition to the Suns and Nets, the Texas alum has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors. He won two championships and Finals MVPs with the latter club.