The Phoenix Suns have to retool. Despite boasting the highest payroll in the NBA this season, the Suns missed the playoffs with a 36-46 record -- which cost head coach Mike Budenholzer his job, one season into a five-year contract with his hometown team.
The Suns have since hired Jordan Ott as their next head coach, but questions still abound as to the makeup of Phoenix's 2025-26 roster -- starting with the future of superstar forward Kevin Durant.
For the 16th year running, Durant averaged greater than 25 points per game. Though he turns 37 in September, Durant is still regarded as an elite scorer -- and he is the Suns' most movable asset, given Phoenix's unwillingness to trade guard Devin Booker.
As such, Durant is likely to suit up for his fifth NBA franchise later this year. Some have said Durant would be a fit in New York, while Minnesota is another possible destination. But the San Antonio Spurs could offer the Suns -- and Durant -- everything they are looking for.
The Suns reportedly want to move fast and seal a Durant deal before the 2025 NBA Draft commences on June 25. Speaking on his eponymous podcast, Bill Simmons predicted that Phoenix and San Antonio would finalize a Durant trade after the NBA Finals conclude -- which, at the latest, would be June 22.
"I think (the Spurs) trade for KD because it just costs less," Simmons said, amid separate rumors linking San Antonio to Giannis Antetokounmpo. "They'll be able to be real competitive and maybe go a couple of rounds in the playoffs, but they're also going to keep the No. 2 pick and do it that way, which is my prediction.”
Simmons' prediction captured attention on social media. @JeremyKamali on X wrote "Durant and Wemby would be the lengthiest duo in history of sports," while another said the potential for Durant to mentor Victor Wembanyama would be "insane."
"This is a great move for the Spurs," wrote @DRob_RXT300. "No real pressure here but if Wemby and KD click... They'll be an unstoppable duo."
However, @PacFight asked "when was the last time Bill Simmons was right about anything," casting doubt on the veteran sportswriter's credentials. @JV_757 does not think a Durant deal moves the needle in San Antonio, and @vfam_meta expressed concern that the Spurs would be healthy enough to enjoy a "Big Three" of Durant, Wembanyama and point guard De'Aaron Fox.