NBA trade rumors: Ranking the teams most likely to land Kevin Durant

Team most likely to acquire Kevin Durant: Phoenix Suns

Charania, in his column Monday morning, reported that the Suns were behind the Raptors, Celtics, and Heat, so it’s understandable to see Phoenix at the top as a stretch.

I’m predicting that the Nets would be willing to go straight into the season in an uncomfortable situation with Durant and wait it out a few months. His value will probably peak closer to the deadline, and what we’ve observed from reports thus far is anything but a bidding war for Durant. Which is pretty nuts when you think about it. One of the greatest players of the last decade is available for trade with a contract that keeps him under team control for several years, and the Grizzlies aren’t willing to give up Desmond Bane. 

The last few seasons have been anything but typical for Brooklyn, so they’re not unaccustomed to players being on and off the floor at any given time (see Kyrie Irving’s extended absence in 2021 and his omission from home games last year due to his vaccine choice).

So, even if Durant threatens to hold out from camp or regular season games, what would Brooklyn care? They still want the best package in return, and the Suns are right up there with the Celtics and Heat. Team owner Joe Tsai has shown a willingness to be relatively patient with obscure situations like this in the past.

Charania reports that the reason the Suns aren’t as competitive as other teams is one of their main trade chips, Deandre Ayton, isn’t tradeable under the current CBA rules until January because he signed an extension this summer. But there have been no reports that the Suns are completely turned away from involving Ayton once he is trade-eligible. That’s a significant difference from other teams, who are unwilling to give up players that would move the needle on a Durant deal.

Brooklyn can — and I believe will — wait if they believe Phoenix offers them the absolute best package, and Ayton’s inclusion could push a deal over the top.