The Rockets are considered to be among the favorites to trade for Kevin Durant, and they’re one of three teams on Durant’s list of preferred destinations that was leaked to the media last weekend. However, during an appearance Friday on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast, reporter Sam Amick revealed that the Rockets and Suns haven’t discussed a Durant deal in several days (hat tip to Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire).
“I was told yesterday (Thursday) that Houston hadn’t talked to Phoenix since last week, and that call didn’t go particularly well,” Amick said. “That could have changed by now, again that’s as of yesterday. They would love to have KD, but it’s on their price.”
Phoenix appears to be at a standoff with several teams while working to close a Durant deal before the first night of the draft on Wednesday. The Suns have reportedly been underwhelmed by offers from the Rockets, Spurs, Heat, Timberwolves, Raptors and others, believing they’re not getting enough in return for a player of Durant’s value.
A report earlier this week from Amick and Jon Krawczynski stated that Houston has made a “firm offer” for Durant. Although the details of that offer haven’t been revealed, it may be as high as general manager Rafael Stone is willing to go under the circumstances.
Even though Durant is still producing at an All-Star level, his age and contract situation are limiting what rival teams are willing to give up. He’ll turn 37 in September and is entering the final year of his current deal at $54.7MM. He’ll be eligible for a two-year extension with his new team, but has communicated that he’ll only consider signing long-term with Houston, San Antonio or Miami.
DuBose states that Stone would love to trade for Durant, but only if the deal serves the team’s short-term and long-term interests. He won’t mortgage the future for a player nearing the end of his career, so he’s hoping the Suns’ asking price will eventually go down.
On the Burns and Gambo Show (audio link), Suns insider John Gambadoro reported that Phoenix is unlikely to agree to a Durant deal with Houston unless Jabari Smith Jr. is included (hat tip to Evan Sidery of Forbes). Gambadoro also indicated that the Suns are willing to extend trade talks beyond the draft if they don’t get an offer they like.
Its hard to know what is going on with KD trade. One reporter says 1 thing and another reporter says the opposite.
Listen to KD man.
The only people who didnt see this coming are in Phoenix. I understand not wanting to take cents on the dollar but nobody is willing to pay list price either.
The impasse is nobody wants Greens contract around the Nba
Suns absolutely don’t want Green
Celtics Holiday is in the Durant deal
Smith is absolutely required
2025 First is in the Durant deal
PHX should probably declare an impasse in the SAS negotiations as well. The negotiations with HOU and SAS simply aren’t enhancing the overall market for the player. Between now and the draft, PHX should focus on all other KD alternatives, or find out that there aren’t any. SAS and HOU will always be there after the draft with the same or similar offers.
Like this comment if you think KD will never play on a Texas team
Lol…did KD go to College? Where? Get them likes mate, SMH. The gift that keeps on giving. One game then draft. Boom, all will be revealed. Like this comment if you think KD is going to a Texas team, lol. Or not.
Davey J just proving again that he does not know basketball or even a single thing about KD.
KD will only sign an extension with Houston, SA or Miami. 67% of the teams he wants to end up with are in Texas and all three have the luxury of having no state tax.
Could someone check for me where KD played in his lone college season? Someone said KD will never play for a Texas Team so I guess KD never played college.
Run it back ….. a year more of experience/continuity for everyone including Ime, a healthier Jabari Smith and Eason – they might make a leap, like what OKC did last season.
Besides, there’s always the trade deadline to patch things up, trade Green by that time.
At this point I think both teams are lying and playing chicken with each other.
Suns reporters are saying the offer is Green, Jabari, No 10 pick and filler. The suns don’t want green and can’t find a place to redirect him. But I feel like if that was the offer they would have taken it and figured out what to do with green after the fact.
Hou insiders have said the only deal that has been discussed is Green and the No 10 pick. But the money doesn’t work on that so that that can’t be all that has been discussed.