Report: Suns wanted ‘massive haul’ for Kevin Durant at trade deadline

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Phoenix Suns wanted a “massive haul” for Kevin Durant at the February trade deadline. 

The Golden State Warriors had a deal to acquire Durant, but the future Hall of Famer didn’t want to get traded back to the Warriors. 

“That is why at the trade deadline the Suns held talks with a handful of teams about Durant trades, conversations that are likely to lead to action this summer,” Windhorst wrote. “One of the reasons there wasn’t a Durant trade in February — other than Durant himself making it clear he didn’t want one — is the Suns were looking for a massive haul in return, per sources.”

The Suns are expected to trade Durant this offseason, an NBA source told Hoops Wire. Durant doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, but the NBA icon and Phoenix are expected to work together on a trade. 

Durant will make $54.7 million next season in the final year of his contract.

Durant turns 37 in September. He’s averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Suns this season while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line. 

Durant, currently out with an ankle injury, has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Suns. He’s a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP, a one-time MVP and a four-time scoring champion. 

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN, Durant was open to getting traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat or San Antonio Spurs at this year’s trade deadline. 

An NBA source told Hoops Wire that the Timberwolves, Rockets, Heat, Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers will pursue Durant this offseason.