The February Trade Deadline is approaching fast. From the Miami Heat occupied with finding a trade for Jimmy Butler to the Warriors reportedly finding ways to better their team via trade, several franchises have gone into decision-making mode in the middle of an NBA season. The temptation to engage in a trade would be strongest amongst the low-seeding teams who wish to go all-in during the upcoming games. Therefore, no one would blame the Phoenix Suns squad for being worried at this current stage. However, Kevin Durant clarified that the team’s priority is not focusing on which player will bite the dust.

After the Suns’ 113-121 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Durant participated in the post-game presser. During the same, he was asked if the trade deadline emerges as a distraction for the Phoenix Suns. The veteran denied the same, stating that the Suns’ roster comprises players who have spent almost a decade in the league.

Therefore, all of them are aware that change is a part of the NBA’s dynamic world, and that business decisions often triumph over maintaining the same team. The best thing that the players can do in such situations, as Durant highlighted, is to continue giving their best until they are no longer asked to play in that jersey.

“I want everybody on this team. I want everybody to be comfortable with their role, and their future, and their contract. All of that stuff. I would love that for each one of my teammates. And for myself” said the 36-year-old veteran. I’ve been traded before too, you know. So, I understand part of, around this time, is a hectic part. But, you dive into the work, and everything else take care of itself.”

Kevin Durant isn’t amongst those players who have devoted the entirety of their NBA career to just one team. Throughout his 17-18 years-long NBA career, the 2x league champion has been a part of 4 different franchises. He voluntarily left the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors after a brief stint and was traded by the Brooklyn Nets in 2023. Therefore, anything he says, he says from experience. Sometimes the players are not satisfied with the direction the team is heading towards, and sometimes it’s vice versa. However, worrying about what the future might hold isn’t going to help the Phoenix Suns’ present situation.

The loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves has now reduced their win record to 24-22, causing them to be shifted to the 9 seed in the Western Conference Points Table. It’s a close race, and the remaining games can determine which teams gain the advantage to secure a playoff-qualifying seed. Therefore, the importance of the upcoming games cannot be underestimated in the face of events over which the players have no control.

Believe it or not, but even Kevin Durant has been put under trade speculation. The veteran is the face of the Phoenix Suns. Despite this, reports have linked him as someone who the Houston Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers may be interested in. Even 2008 NBA champion Paul Pierce recently stated that the Oklahoma City Thunder should get Durant in exchange for Chet Holmgren. His reasoning was, “Listen, they balling without Chet, so now you trade him for KD. Man, KD’s shown me he can play with anybody; he can fit on any team. Like, he ain’t Bron where you gotta change your whole (situation) for Bron. KD can plug and play wherever he go.” However, the Suns have indicated nothing regarding a potential Kevin Durant trade yet.

Amidst the ongoing situation, the Phoenix Suns squad can do themselves a favor by listening to their veteran teammate. Or, they can take a firm stance on their choice to not be traded. Unfortunately, not everyone is Bradley Beal.

Bradley Beal refuses a Chicago Bulls trade as family gets bullied over firm stance

With Jimmy Butler reportedly being on the market, the Phoenix Suns have been amongst the teams who have reportedly looked into acquiring him. However, as Brian Windhorst stated, “The sort of irony in this situation is the best fit, and most aggressive team for Jimmy Butler is maybe the 1 out of the 29 teams that has the hardest time getting him”. This is because the Suns already have Bradley Beal, a veteran guard with a ‘no-trade’ clause on his contract. Unless the 31-year-old himself chooses to take his talents elsewhere, an official discussion on Butler is tough. It seems that the Suns might lose out on the Heat star since Beal has now taken a firm stance.

According to ‘The Athletic’s Fred Katz, Bradley Beal has chosen not to accept a trade to the Chicago Bulls. The franchise was amongst the teams that could have helped in a 3-team trade deal alongside the Suns and Heat. This would have paved the way for a Butler acquisition. With Beal’s refusal, nothing will happen.

Beal’s stance has already started to make some people angry. A few days ago, Bradley Beal’s wife, Kamiah Adams, highlighted on Instagram how a “Suns Fan” kept verbally targeting the small forward in front of her and the couple’s children. The situation got so bad that Adams had to send the children away during the 3rd quarter. Other people approached to ask her if she was fine. By the 4 quarter, the “fan” was reportedly yelling, “Trade this bum a– bitch Beal for Jimmy Butler!”

Despite the alleged pressure, the player is staying firm. Not looking to care about anything but the game in front of him. Kevin Durant would be looking for the same mentality among his teammates, too.