Kevin Durant is expected to be traded away from the Phoenix Suns in the offseason.
Since moving from the Brooklyn Nets to the Phoenix Suns in 2023, Kevin Durant has been to the playoffs twice with the team, but was not able to lead them beyond the second round.
The 2024-25 season was expected to be the year where the team took the big step as owner Matt Ishbia brought in championship winning coach Mike Budenholzer.
However, it never worked for the team as they finished with a 36-46 record, which ranked 11th in the Western Conference.
Durant averaged 26 points this season and shot the ball over 50% from the field for the Suns.
Failure in getting to the playoffs has led to reports emerging about Durant leaving the Suns even before the current season has officially ended.
Brian Windhorst had indicated the Minnesota Timberwolves could renew the interest they expressed at the trade deadline once again, but that can only happen after the T-Wolves make decisions about their key three players.
Amid all the rumors surrounding Durant, Hoops Wire has reported that the Atlanta Hawks could also be a team involved in the sweepstakes for the former MVP.
Hawks were in the play-in tournament, but lost out to the Chicago Bulls, which meant they would miss out on the playoffs for the first time in two seasons.
The team does not have many assets and a deal would have to ideally include Jalen Johnson or Dyson Daniels, two players who were brilliant for the Hawks.
The Hawks are yet to hire a president of basketball operations after they moved on from Landry Fields in April.
While this remains a position the team is still looking to fill, inquiries about KD have already been made according to Hoops Wire’s sources.
Reports have emerged that the Suns are willing to limit their asking price for Durant, which is another piece of positive news for teams like the Hawks.
The Hawks have not had a lot of success since making it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.
Trae Young has done well in his own capacity, but the front office has not been able to put a reliable star with him.
Durant would certainly fit that bill, but in order to bring him to the team, the Hawks would have to make massive changes.
Although the reports of Suns’ demands for KD have reduced, the Hawks have very few players they can afford to lose.
If Johnson or Daniels are let go in a trade, the team will lose their depth as those are highly reliable options.
Another way the Hawks can bring KD is by trading Young away as he is a young guard who will attract a lot of interest.
It is unlikely the Hawks will trade their young star away to build around KD as he is 36 and has a few injury concerns.
