The Phoenix Suns didn’t completely shut the door on trading Kevin Durant earlier this season—they just left it slightly open. Multiple teams reached out, offers were made, but none were convincing enough for the Suns to make a move. At the time, it felt like they were just postponing a tough decision, hoping to deal with it later—much like a TV series you keep saying you’ll start eventually. Now, with the season winding down and slipping away, those trade talks could pick up again.
In the meantime, Durant remains with the Suns, though currently sidelined due to injury. He won’t be playing on Tuesday, marking his fourth straight missed game since he twisted his ankle during a blowout 148-109 loss to the Rockets on March 30—a game that was particularly ugly for Phoenix.
Kevin Durant is out for the Suns tomorrow vs Warriors https://t.co/3VFRsYCY0g
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 8, 2025
Since Durant’s injury, the Suns have dropped three straight games, each by a margin of nearly 15 points. Their latest defeat came at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks beat them 123-103. Without Durant on the court, the team has clearly struggled.
Durant’s absence on Tuesday is a big deal, especially for the Golden State Warriors. But beyond just this matchup, it could impact Durant’s legacy. Despite averaging 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and over 4 assists per game on extremely efficient shooting—52.7% from the field and 43% from three—he’s played only 62 games this season. The NBA now has a rule requiring players to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for awards like All-NBA selections. One more missed game and Durant won’t qualify, no matter how well he’s performed. That affects not just his reputation, but also potential contract bonuses and future negotiations.
There’s also some buzz floating around that Durant could eventually reunite with the Warriors. While that sounds far-fetched, Golden State has reportedly shown interest. Durant, of course, was a major part of their championship runs and his return would be a major storyline. But nothing is imminent. The Suns had trade talks in February, but nothing came of them—not because Durant lacked value, but because Phoenix wanted a significant return. Unless a team was willing to offer a massive deal, he wasn’t going anywhere.
Reports also indicated that Durant didn’t push for a trade, and Phoenix respected that by setting a high asking price. After all, trading away a future Hall of Famer isn’t a move you make lightly.
Durant joined the Suns in 2023 with the expectation of pushing them to the Finals, but so far, they’ve had two brief playoff appearances and no deep runs. Meanwhile, the Western Conference remains packed with tough competition.
Another complication is Durant’s contract—he’s owed $54.7 million in 2026, which makes moving him a financial challenge. Still, the Warriors’ interest suggests a potential reunion isn’t out of the question. If both sides are ready for it, talks could reignite in the offseason. Should Durant don the blue and gold again, it would be a seismic moment for the league.
For now, the future is uncertain, but the possibilities are starting to take shape.