Over the last few weeks, the Phoenix Suns have certainly learned it’s harder than they thought to trade Kevin Durant.
Despite being an elite player, the Phoenix Suns seem to have forgotten that Kevin Durant is no longer in the prime of his career.
In a few months, KD will turn 37 years old, which means that the Suns cannot keep their asking price for him too high. Otherwise, Durant’s preferred destinations, like the Houston Rockets, do not need to improve their trade offers for the NBA legend.
Apart from the Rockets, the Miami Heat are also rumored to be a frontrunner in the Durant sweepstakes. But what if a surprise team traded for the Slim Reaper instead?
The Indiana Pacers have just leveled the 2025 NBA Finals at 3-3 following a stunning win in Game 6 of the series.
They are just one step away from winning their first-ever NBA Championship in franchise history with a core that doesn’t have a clear superstar.
Despite knowing this, Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce proposed the idea of the Pacers trading for Durant this offseason.
“Indiana,” Pierce suggested to his co-host Kevin Garnett on the KG Certified podcast. “I’m just trying to figure [that out].”
But considering Durant will make a humongous $54.7 million next season, do the Pacers even have the resources to pull this off? Well, Pierce had a trade package in mind.
“You throw in [Bennedict] Mathurin. You throw in Myles Turner because he’s gonna be up for some money.”
Upon being asked if Pierce would include Andrew Nembhard in the deal, Pierce stated: “You got him.”
Sure, Pierce suggested an unexpected trade for the Pacers and Suns, but the most important question is whether it is even possible to acquire KD with the pieces he mentioned?
Well, in theory, yes. However, to match Durant’s massive salary, the Pacers will need to sign-and-trade Myles Turner, who is set to feature among the top 50 free agents this offseason.
But more importantly, the Pacers may turn down this trade as they are already in the NBA Finals, and as mentioned earlier, it has been a team effort.
Sure, Tyrese Haliburton has hit incredible game-winners throughout the postseason, but the likes of Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, and TJ McConnell have all played their roles to perfection.
Adding Durant would not only gut the roster’s depth, but it could also ruin the chemistry between the current members of the Pacers, who are on the cusp of lifting the illustrious Larry O’Brien trophy.
