Kevin Durant, arguably the best scorer in NBA history and a two-time NBA champion, has not had the kind of tenure many expected of him, pairing up with Bradley Beal and Devin Booker in Phoenix. It also does not help that the Suns traded away their entire future to set this trio up, and not even make the Finals in any of the seasons. This season, the Suns were downright terrible, going 36-46 this season, not even making it to the Play-In Tournament. Suns’ owner Mat Ishbia was extremely aggressive when he first came in, firing head coach Monty Williams, and trading for Bradley Beal while giving away all of their future 1st round picks. The goal was to win a championship in the near future, but the Suns couldn’t be further away.
Then the Suns decided to fire away head coach Frank Vogel from his duties, and hired 2021 NBA champion Mike Budenholzer instead, for the 2024-25 season. But even that changed nothing for them, and the trade talks surrounding Kevin Durant started in the middle of the season. Now, the Suns are in a tight spot. They are looking for a new head coach, while also trying to trade away Durant for some assets.
Durant, though one of the best players on the planet still, is an aging superstar who is already 36 turning 37, by the time the 2025-26 season starts. At this stage of his career he can be best used as a reliable scorer who will give you strict buckets, but not much else. So here is the trade suggestion that has recently popped up.Should the Memphis Grizzlies Trade for Kevin Durant?
The Memphis Grizzlies reportedly made a call on Kevin Durant per Bob Myers, according to multiple sources. The latest trade suggestion is trade Kevin Durant away to the Grizzlies for their guard Desmond Bane, Brandon Clark, 2027 first-round pick, and 2028 first-round pick, according to Sports Illustrated. This raises the question, would KD be what the Grizzlies need moving forward?Are the Grizzlies a Good Fit for Durant?
The Grizzlies aren’t in a much better spot than the Suns, and we can confirm that with the first-round exit they were handed by the Oklahoma City Thunder this season.
In fact, they did not even win one game, and were swept away. Clearly, the trio of Bane, Ja Morant, and Jared Jackson Jr. is not working, and they also fired their head coach away at the end of the season, which adds more to the puzzle. Therefore, adding Durant by trading away Bane could not be that bad of an idea. Durant is clearly the better scorer, and he can pick a pick-and-pop partner to Morant, who we all know is one of the best at finishing inside.
Meanwhile, the Suns could repair a lot of damage that they have done to themselves by bringing in a younger Desmond Bane, and getting two those first round picks. Bane alongside Booker could be a deadly backcourt, if D-Book decides to play the point this upcoming season. So clearly it’s a great trade for the Suns. Phoenix may want to get more out of a Durant trade, but the age factor and Durant’s effectiveness going into his 18th season, will hinder their chances of getting a whole lot in return.
