It has been a terrible season thus far for the Phoenix Suns as they are currently fighting for their playoff lives.
Of course, the Suns had lofty expectations this season to compete near the top of the Western Conference standings thanks to their superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Instead, Phoenix has struggled to remain competitive as they are currently sitting 11th in the West standings with a 29-33 record which has them two and a half games back of the Dallas Mavericks for the final Play-In spot.
With the Suns' struggles this season, many expect them to make some major changes to their roster in the offseason, which could see them possibly move on from Durant.
ESPN's Kevin Pelton recently released a three-team mock trade that would send Durant to the Miami Heat in the offseason and also included the Brooklyn Nets.
In the mock, Pelton had Miami receiving Durant while the Suns would acquire Nikola Jovic, Andrew Wiggins and three first-round picks. Brooklyn would receive Duncan Robinson, Keshad Johnson, two first-round picks and a second-round pick.
ESPN's Bobby Marks then gave his thoughts on why the trade would work for every team, especially Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35). Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
"In that scenario, the Heat can check multiple boxes for the Suns," Marks said on why this trade benefits Phoenix. "This trade cuts about $20 million from Phoenix's 2025-26 payroll, which the Suns could either reinvest in a center or simply take as enormous luxury tax savings. Getting Wiggins, who has bounced back this season as an above-average starter, and Jovic improves Phoenix's forward depth. And the Suns end up with both the first-round pick the Warriors sent Miami in the Jimmy Butler trade and a valuable unprotected draft pick in 2030 to replenish the team's coffers."
Marks makes a great point saying that the trade would "check multiple boxes" for Phoenix.
Not only would the Suns add two key role players in Wiggins and Jovic, but they would also free up a ton of cap space and also replenish their draft capital.
Of course, the Heat may not want to give up this much to acquire Durant due to his age, but it would definitely be a great move for both teams as they both try to return to their winning ways.
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This story was originally published March 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM.