According to reporting from Marc Stein of The Stein Line and Jake Fischer of The People’s Insider, the Phoenix Suns remain confident that they can finalize a trade involving Kevin Durant ahead of the NBA Draft on Wednesday.
Earlier in the week, there were indications that discussions surrounding a potential Durant trade were not moving as swiftly as the organization had anticipated.
Despite the slower pace, Phoenix is still optimistic about completing a deal in the coming days.
Recent trade scenarios under consideration reportedly involve first-round picks, including the Toronto Raptors’ No. 9 selection, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ No. 19 pick, and the Miami Heat’s No. 20 pick.
In their trade talks, the Suns are said to be seeking frontcourt help, but progress has been hindered by teams’ reluctance to part with key big men.
The Raptors, for instance, are reportedly unwilling to include center Jakob Poeltl in any trade package for Durant. Similarly, the Heat have made it known that rookie center Kel’el Ware is off-limits in their negotiations.
These constraints have made it more difficult for the Suns to secure the kind of return they’re hoping for, but they continue to explore options with the draft rapidly approaching.
Suns Believe Kevin Durant Trade Can Happen Before Draft https://t.co/NuHUEN3yF6
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 21, 2025
