The Suns have previously stated that they will not be trading Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, or Bradley Beal—the team’s Big Three—during the upcoming summer.

Please subscribe after reading this content; I appreciate it!Despite suffering a first-round sweep last season, Phoenix still has the highest anticipated payroll in the NBA for the 2024–25 season. Owner Mat Ishbia has not been bashful about making major trades for the Suns, but he appears to have faith in continuity going ahead despite the team’s dismal performance last year.However, as reported by Jonathan Givony of ESPN, Durant may have at least one suitor:

“Other teams claim the Houston Rockets could be interested in signing Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Mikal Bridges, Brandon Ingram, and role players Brook Lopez and Marcus Smart, among others. Some of these names are more far-fetched than others, but it’s clear the Rockets are in win-now mode and would love to add star power to their roster.”

With two years remaining on his four-year, $194.2 million deal, Durant will be 36 years old when the next season begins. During the upcoming offseason, he can also be considered for a one-year extension.

The Rockets, who acquired the No. 3 overall pick in Wednesday’s 2024 NBA draft from the Brooklyn Nets, have a plethora of young talent that they may want to take advantage of, including Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Jalen Green. As a result of trading James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in January 2021, Houston will have a first-round pick in every future draft, regardless of which team it is drafted by. Last season, the Rockets finished 41-41, good for the 11th spot in the Western Conference.

In order to acquire Durant from Brooklyn before the trade deadline in February 2023, the Suns had to give up a lot of future assets. After playing in just eight games for Phoenix in the regular season in 2023, Durant continued to play in all 75 games last season despite being 35 years old and five years out from an Achilles tear. He finished the season with the fifth-highest point average in the NBA at 27.1 per game on 52.3/41.3/85.6 shooting splits, in addition to 6.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Later, the forward, who had been in the league for 16 years, was selected to the NBA Second Team.

Although Durant is getting on in years and had a great season, Suns GM and president of basketball operations James Jones said after the season that the team has major plans to make the most of Durant’s future abilities.

“To continue to figure out how to maximize Kevin Durant is a constant focus for us,” Jones stated. As of now, nobody has done it. If we did it, I think we’d be the pioneering squad. And if we can get the most out of him, we’ll get the most out of our whole roster, which will make us a stronger team.

According to Durant, he has lofty plans for his time in Phoenix and his future with the Suns.

In a February interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Durant stated, “I want to finish my career in Phoenix.” He had previously stated, “I’ve been on so many teams,” but the current moment, without considering the future, was the most important. But that’s just speculation at the moment; I have no idea what the future holds. Yet, Phoenix is a fantastic venue for my games. I adore the city and the fanbase. I’ve come to appreciate the depth of their team spirit and the significance of our mission in the Valley.

As I’ve learned more about the Suns’ past, I’ve come to appreciate being a part of it. No matter how long it takes, I will eventually stand in that Ring of Honor.