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Suns Star Predicted To Request Trade This Summer

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 3:21 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns had a disastrous 2024-25 season. They went 36-46 despite having Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

Mike Budenholzer was fired as head coach after just one season in the desert. He replaced Frank Vogel, who was also fired after only one year in Phoenix.

With the Suns being a walking disaster at the moment, one NBA analyst is predicting that a star player on the roster will request a trade this summer.

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report predicted that Durant, who has one year left on his contract, will ask out of Phoenix this summer.

"Durant's name has swirled through the rumor mill for a while now, much to his initial surprise," Buckley wrote. "When Phoenix cut ties with former coach Mike Budenholzer upon completion of its colossally disappointing (and wildly expensive) campaign, ESPN's Shams Charania relayed that the club is expected to engage in trade discussions involving Durant.

"The 15-time All-Star might prefer to initiate those talks on his own. Because even if you set aside the distrust created by those trade talks, there are basketball reasons for Durant to want out."

Durant is still an elite scorer despite being 36. He averaged 26.6 points this season while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs rank as the most frequently cited potential Durant trade suitors.

Durant doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he can't pick where he gets traded to if he decides to request a trade.

A future Hall of Famer, Durant is a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP and a four-time scoring champion. He's played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Suns.

Durant hasn't gotten back to the NBA Finals since leaving the Warriors in the summer of 2019.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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