ESPN's Stephen A. Smith revealed the Phoenix Suns want to trade Kevin Durant. Screen grab: ‘First Take’
By Ben Axelrod on

As the 2024 NBA Draft approaches, the Phoenix Suns are one of the league’s most intriguing teams.

But despite their insistence to the contrary, one of the biggest names in basketball media is claiming that the franchise is looking to move on from star forward Kevin Durant.

“I am reporting here: Pay no attention to what Phoenix is saying. They want out of Kevin Durant right now,” Stephen A. Smith said on Wednesday’s episode of ESPN’s First Take.

Smith went on to address the speculation that the Houston Rockets are interested in acquiring the 2014 NBA MVP after making a draft pick-related trade on Tuesday.

“Houston doesn’t want Kevin Durant, [Rockets head coach] Ime Udoka may want him, but organizationally they know that they are not there yet,” he said. “So their plans are more long-range and they would prefer a Devin Booker, who they know there’s a slim chance they’ll get. But that would be their preference.”

Smith’s reporting is notable, as the First Take host is clearly well-connected in NBA circles. And despite Phoenix insisting otherwise, it would hardly be a surprise to see the Suns look to move on from Durant, who they acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal ahead of the 2023 trade deadline.

While Durant and Booker teamed up to form one of the league’s most potent offensive duos, the lack of team success has left Phoenix in limbo. With a 49-33 regular-season record, the Suns earned the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference this past season and were ultimately swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Should the Suns look to move Durant, it would be interesting to see which teams would look to acquire the 35-year-old two-time NBA Finals MVP. It would also be interesting to see what other moves Phoenix might be willing to make, with Booker still under contract through the 2027-28 season.

[First Take on X]

About Ben Axelrod

Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.

View all posts by Ben Axelrod