The 2025 NBA Draft is right around the corner and while many teams are planning their draft, other teams are trying to find a way to move up to land a potential new face of their franchise.
One team that could look to move up in the draft is the Phoenix Suns due to the fact that they do not own their own lottery pick since it was relayed to the Houston Rockets due to a prior trade.
Because of this, Phoenix has to wait until pick No. 29 for them to select someone and with their struggles this season, they may instead look to move inside the top 10 to select a potential star to pair alongside Devin Booker.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35)
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Of course, Phoenix is expected to rebuild their roster around Booker this summer and move on from both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal after they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.
With this in mind, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman recently created a mock trade that would land the Suns a top-three pick in exchange for Durant.
In the trade, Wasserman has Phoenix sending Durant to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George, the No. 3 overall pick and a 2030 top-three protected first-round pick.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) shoots the ball in the second half against the USC Trojans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) shoots the ball in the second half against the USC Trojans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
This would be a dream trade scenario for Phoenix as they would then be able to go after Ace Bailey, V.J. Edgecombe or another top talent in the draft while also adding a key replacement for Durant in George.
Of course, George did struggle in his first season in Philadelphia, mainly due to injuries, but a change of scenery could be a perfect thing for him, especially next to Booker in Phoenix.
Paul George
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George controls the ball.
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Despite this, the 76ers would be giving up a ton in this trade for an aging Durant that may make them decline this offer, especially with them having to move on from both Geroge and the third overall pick.