The Phoenix Suns were nothing short of a disaster this season and are now looking for their fourth head coach in four years. A new head coach will likely not be the only move Phoenix makes this offseason.
After attempting to trade him at the trade deadline, the Suns and forward Kevin Durant are expected to work on finding a trade partner this summer. Phoenix is in the second apron and have no future assets to upgrade the team around Devin Booker. Recouping some of that value in a Durant trade would give the Suns flexibility. Here are the three best landing spots for Durant this offseason.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
A dark horse candidate to start off, but with L.A. having a need for offense and their commitment to going all in for the next two years, a union with Durant makes sense.
The Clippers are coming off a postseason flameout against the Nuggets but exceeded expectations this season. They were expected to be fighting for lottery positioning, but with James Harden turning in an All-NBA season, Kawhi Leonard bouncing back nicely from knee surgery, Norman Powell’s resurgence and Ivica Zubac turning in a career year, L.A. was highly competitive in the West.
Adding Durant to their nucleus doesn’t make them younger, but with Harden and Leonard on short-term deals anyways, adding Durant to the fold aligns with the Clippers’ all-in approach. Durant is still playing at a high level, as he averaged 27 PPG on 53 percent shooting and 43 percent from three-point range. He offers high-level shot creation– something the Clippers really lacked outside of Harden and Leonard this playoffs.
2. Miami Heat
Miami made the playoffs again, but was promptly swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. The Jimmy Butler saga definitely took a toll on the organization as a whole, but this offseason could serve as a reset and bringing in Durant would be a prudent move.
The Eastern Conference will be wide open again next year. With the Boston Celtics set for major changes, contending in the East next year is plausible for anyone who was in the playoff mix this season.
The Heat already have a strong foundation with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo leading the way, so adding a veteran All-NBA talent in Durant could help elevate their duo. Durant’s three-level scoring combined with the floor spacing of Herro and the growing inside-out game of Adebayo, could give Miami one of the most versatile big threes in the league.
1. Houston Rockets
An obvious pick at number one, but Houston and Durant would be the perfect marriage. The two sides seem to agree, given the mutual interest. The Rockets are coming off a 52 win season and pushed the Warriors to seven games in the first round. Led by a core of Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Jalen Green, the future is bright, but they could use reinforcements.
The Rockets had one of the worst half-court offenses in the NBA last season. Durant is one of the best offensive talents in the NBA. Houston needs more veteran experience to get over the top. Durant is a two-time champ and Finals MVP, who has won at every level.
Durant comes with little baggage and a lot of points and would fit seamlessly with Ime Udoka’s group. His age is definitely a factor Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has to consider, but Houston does have most of Phoenix’s draft picks and could entice them with win now pieces. If Durant’s price isn’t too steep, expect the Rockets to pounce.