The Phoenix Suns continue to struggle to find the best deal for Kevin Durant.
That’s because the teams, especially on Durant’s list of preferred destinations, are reluctant to pay their high asking price for a future Hall of Famer, who will turn 37 this September.
One of those teams, the San Antonio Spurs, is said to be holding off on their rich draft capital for a much younger star than Durant.
According to Brett Siegel of Clutchpoints, the Spurs have been monitoring Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown despite Durant’s availability.
“Other than a potential trade for Giannis in the future, the Spurs have also monitored Jaylen Brown’s status with the Boston Celtics through the years, sources said. Now that the Boston Celtics are primed to take a step back and are looking to cut costs, the 28-year-old Finals MVP is suddenly worth talking about,” Siegel wrote.
The good news for the Suns is both Antetokounmpo and Brown are not available this offseason.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesSan Antonio Spurs prefer Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
However, the Spurs have a long runway with their 21-year-old franchise star Victor Wembanyama that makes them cautious about accelerating their timeline and pushing their chips to the middle of the table for an aging superstar.
“Internally, the Spurs have discussed what the aftermath of a Durant trade would do to their future, sources said. While there is a level of interest that exists, this organization will not sacrifice a big chunk of what they have built through the years for the aging star,” Siegel wrote.
Asking Price Remains ‘Too High’ Despite Losing Leverage
Duane Rankin ofThe Arizona Republic reported on June 17 that the Suns’ asking price remains “too high” despite losing their leverage once Durant’s camp leaks his preferred destinations.
According to ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania, either one of the Miami Heat, Spurs and Houston Rockets is where Durant wants to play next and commit to a long-term extension.
Durant has one year and $54.7 million left in his current four-year, $190 million contract. He can sign a two-year, $112 million extension wherever he lands next. If he waits six months after the trade, he could fetch more — $124 million over two years, according to Charania.
Rankin described the Suns’ strategy as pitting Durant’s various suitors against each other to extract the best deal possible. But so far, no one’s biting.
Spurs’ Kevin Durant Offer Did Not ‘Enamor’ Suns
The Spurs have fallen behind the Durant sweepstakes after they have drawn a firm line on the sand.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Spurs’ offer has not excited the Suns.
“Sources add that Phoenix is not enamored with the players San Antonio has made available in the teams’ talks to date. It is obviously presumed that Durant would relish the opportunity to play alongside Victor Wembanyama, but it is also believed that the Spurs are only willing to discuss veterans such as Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes. The Spurs just managed to acquire De’Aaron Fox from Sacramento largely on their terms and the notion now of surrendering newly named Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle or the No. 2 selection in this month’s draft is simply a non-starter,” Fischer wrote on “The Stein Line” Substack newsletter.
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