6 Current playoff stars the Spurs should hope become disgruntled
By Tyler Watts
5. Kevin Durant
How long until the panic sets in for the Suns? Phoenix gave up a massive haul for Durant and went all-in to acquire Bradley Beal. Their draft capital and depth are gone. If the Suns make an early playoff exit, are their stars questioning their futures? Phoenix is over the second apron, so only minimum signings and whatever they can trade for are coming in.
The Suns have the 22nd overall pick in June, which could be traded on draft night, but their front office will struggle to make the math work. They cannot aggregate salaries, take back more money than the Suns send out, or trade cash because of the second apron restrictions. Deals are tough to make without adding one of their Big 3.
Durant wanted out of Brooklyn when he realized things were going sour. How long before KD tries to leave the Valley of the Sun? He has two seasons left on his deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2026, but the Suns would feel the pressure to trade him if he asked out. Durant’s happiness and desire to stay in Phoenix are worth watching.
The Spurs would love to add Kevin Durant next to Victor Wembanyama. They would form an impossible-to-guard frontcourt, but the 35-year-old KD is on a different timeline than the 20-year-old prodigy. Could San Antonio hold out for the other Suns superstar to request a trade?