Kevin Durant’s future is dominating the NBA headlines once again. After a lackluster 36-46 season with the Phoenix Suns, marked by injuries and underperformance, Durant appears destined for another major trade.
The Suns have endured high expectations that quickly unraveled. Despite constructing a superstar trio—Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal—and ranking among the Western Conference's projected contenders, they missed the NBA playoffs. Several reports indicate Phoenix is now expected to move Durant elsewhere.
Amid this growing speculation, a new team has been named a potential Durant suitor. Phoenix Sports radio host John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM revealed the Los Angeles Clippers are a team to watch in the Durant sweepstakes.
This report notably comes amid growing speculation that former Clippers guard Chris Paul could be eyeing a Los Angeles homecoming. Paul, who still has his family in LA, said on the Pat McAfee Show he wants to continue playing basketball while also being closer to his kids.
"My son just turned 16. My daughter is 12," Paul said. "The past 6 seasons I’ve lived without them… I want to hoop… But at the same time, I want to be dad.”
Paul and Durant played together in Phoenix, and the latest buzz surrounding both players indicates a reunion in Los Angeles is not entirely out of the picture.
Assuming James Harden returns to the Clippers, which is the current expectation (h/t The Stein Line), this would also reunite a former Brooklyn Nets duo. Durant and Harden played together in Brooklyn where injuries derailed a big three that also included Kyrie Irving. While this is all speculative, Clippers fans have begun fantasizing about the possibility of Durant and Paul joining Harden in LA.
"Cp3 on a vet min and trading for Kd , Clippers 2026 champions," said one.
"KD, Kawhi, Harden, CP3 ….get the band together," said another.
"NAHHH RING US MF KD AND CP3 OTW," one added.
"Our only hope at this point. I’m begging the basketball gods to have Kevin Durant and Chris Paul in Clippers jerseys by opening day," another wrote.
"CHRIS PAUL AND KEVIN DURANT BOTH CLIPPERS NEXT SEASON IMMA CRY TEARS OF JOY," another comment read.
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard James Harden (13).
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard James Harden (13).
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Durant is entering the final year of his contract, which pays him over $50 million in 2025-26. A trade to the Clippers would not only help Phoenix reduce its luxury tax burden but also give Durant an opportunity to contend alongside Kawhi Leonard, Harden and potentially Paul.
This move, if it happens, would mark Durant’s fifth NBA team after stints with the Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Nets and Suns.