via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket as Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns defends during the second half at Barclays Center on April 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket as Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns defends during the second half at Barclays Center on April 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
It seems Kevin Durant prefers to go to the Phoenix Suns, according to reports. The Valley-based franchise also covets his presence in their locker room. But, there have to be some adjustments made on their behalf to fit him into the team. One of the key pieces of this is 7ft. center Deandre Ayton.
Ayton wanted to leave the franchise for a long time. He had fights with coach Monty Williams and was distraught with the Suns. By Game 7 of the Western Conference semi-finals, the young All-Star had seemingly checked out. Everyone thought it was his time to leave. The Durant-related rumors further fueled speculation about Ayton’s future at the franchise.
As soon as the Suns received the four-year, $133M offer sheet, the franchise matched it. Deandre Ayton returns to Phoenix and can't be traded without his consent for a full year. https://t.co/dBXGN3qbCK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 15, 2022
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The Brooklyn Nets want a very heavy price for Durant. Phoenix knows that all too well. Hence, has stopped Ayton from going to the Indiana Pacers. Yesterday, journalist Adrian Wojranowski confirmed that the Indiana Pacers had offered him a four-year $133 million deal. This deal was accepted by the young All-Star but Phoenix matched it.
Woj, in a subsequent tweet, wrote that Deandre Ayton will return to the Phoenix Suns for one more year and that he can’t be traded without his consent. It is an interesting situation now as it looked like the Suns were on the back foot in the race to get Durant’s signature but now have become favorites again.
As of now, the Brooklyn forward’s preferences haven’t changed. He wants either Phoenix or the Miami Heat. For now, the Suns look like the likelier option.
These are some of the fan’s opinions on this news:
$133 million has a way of making people a little happier.
— Trey Johnson (@dosanthemum) July 15, 2022
Shoutout to the Phoenix Suns, who wasted a year in their title window with a 37-year old point guard and have reduced their flexibility to acquire Kevin Durant, all because they didn’t want to max a guy that was always going to get a max from another team.
Incredible stuff. https://t.co/tQ3I5YOJps
— Joseph Gill (@JosephGillMA) July 15, 2022
Well that was fun while it lasted. The Pacers were league-wide relevant for 5+ hours so that was exciting …. baby steps! #Ayton https://t.co/pKUPUJ7zwB pic.twitter.com/6D2HDuSRDE
— Matt Volz (@themattvolz) July 15, 2022
LoL
Phoenix Suns handled this whole DeAndre Ayton situation with the grace of a gddamn #Giraffe
Reallll Smooth #Phoenix #Suns #Ayton https://t.co/mFNs1eubMB pic.twitter.com/uP4JtlkTEM
— CK (@klezzyrelaford) July 15, 2022
Ayton is now signed for 4yrs/$133M.
His 4-year max with PHX would’ve been 4yrs/$138.5M so they saved some money by forcing him into finding a max offer sheet. https://t.co/1UA157qZzT
— Anil Gogna (@AnilGognaNBA) July 15, 2022
Is the Kevin Durant trade package the most complex one?
A trade package with the Phoenix Suns will seemingly have to involve more than two teams though. The Brooklyn Nets already rejected their first package involving Ayton because they thought it wasn’t enough. Nets general manager Sean Marks wants an All-Star or an All-Star caliber player on his team in exchange for Kevin Durant, along with multiple first-round picks.
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Recently, NBA front office insider Bobby Marks had set up a hypothetical trade package involving four teams. On ‘NBA Today’, he laid out the following: “Phoenix receive – Kevin Durant; Brooklyn receives – Donovan Mitchell, Mikal Bridges, Myles Turner; Indiana receive – DeAndre Ayton; Utah receive – Ben Simmons, Cameron Thomas, five first-round picks (four from Phoenix, one from Cleveland via Indiana), three swap rights from Phoenix“.
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Phoenix Suns GM James Jones will have to find a way to fit Durant if that’s what they ultimately want. What do you make of the four-team hypothetical trade? Let us know in the comments below.
