Kevin Durant remains one of the few constants on a Phoenix Suns roster that has endured a difficult NBA season on and off the court. The veteran forward has faced growing frustration amid poor results, internal tension, and persistent trade rumors. With the Suns falling short of expectations, Durant’s name continues to surface as the franchise contemplates its next steps.
Durant is clearly not ready to let false narratives go unchecked. On Friday, the parody account NBA Central claimed, citing former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins, that a locker room fistfight broke out among Suns players. Durant swiftly denied the allegations on social media, writing on X: “I have to contest this 94 footer. This some bull—- to throw on us. Yea yea yea we were trash this year ha ha ha but we NEVER got close to this. NEVER.”
Regardless of the veracity of the rumor, it highlights the perception that the Suns are in disarray. Phoenix ended the 2024–25 NBA season with a disappointing 36–46 record and failed to reach the postseason. With tensions running high, many believe the time has come for both Durant and the Suns to pursue a fresh start.
Durant, now 35, is still capable of impacting a title-contending team but needs the right environment to make a late-career push. For Phoenix, moving on from Durant could ease their salary cap strain and provide more flexibility as they look to rebuild around Devin Booker and younger talent.
Where could Durant land?
Several franchises have been linked to Durant in recent weeks, particularly those in need of a high-impact scorer to push them into championship contention. The San Antonio Spurs are one such team, armed with both the second-overall pick in the upcoming draft and a collection of young assets.
see also
Lakers star LeBron James’ post-retirement plans reportedly tied to NBA media partner
Despite having the resources to make a deal, ESPN’s Michael C. Wright reports the Spurs may not be inclined to use their top draft capital on Durant. Instead, they are expected to prioritize adding a backcourt partner for Victor Wembanyama, likely Rutgers standout Dylan Harper. “They aren’t likely to relinquish the No. 2 pick for Durant,” Wright noted, “because, according to sources, it’s expected they’ll draft Dylan Harper to add to a talented young core featuring Wembanyama and [Stephon] Castle.”
A south beach solution?
The Miami Heat continue to emerge as a serious player in the Durant sweepstakes. However, they are also preparing contingency plans. According to Kings insider James Ham, Miami has been in contact with Sacramento about a potential deal for DeMar DeRozan if a Durant trade fails to materialize.
“DeMar DeRozan could be a fallback option for the Heat,” Ham said on his podcast, The Kings Beat. “Miami recently held exploratory talks with the Kings about DeRozan.”
Heat and Rockets leading the charge
While speculation is swirling across the league, two teams are reportedly making the strongest push for Durant. “The Rockets and the Heat seem the most realistic options for Kevin Durant at this point,” insider Shams Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show. “These teams are more motivated, and the proposals they’ve put forward are markedly more aggressive than others like the Spurs.”
As the offseason unfolds, Durant’s future remains one of the biggest questions across the NBA. Whether he stays in Phoenix or begins a new chapter, the outcome will have major implications for the balance of power in the Western Conference.
