<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-the-guard-phoenix-just-signed-amid-bradley-beal-rumors');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns make two key roster decisions amid Bradley Beal rumors');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bradley-Beal-reacts-to-a-play.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Suns make two key roster decisions amid Bradley Beal rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-30T10:36:54-07:00">June 30th, 10:36am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-30T15:50:36-07:00">June 30th, 3:50pm</time><address><a>Zachary Weinberger</a>Zachary Weinberger joined ClutchPoints in October 2023 as a Miami Heat reporter as well as an Associate Editor. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2022 after covering the school's athletic programs since his freshman year at the FAU University Press, where he was a Sports Editor and Editor-in-Chief. He then covered FAU Sports for The Palm Beach Post.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Amidst the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-bradley-beal-trade-buzz-gets-reality-check-from-jake-fischer">rumors around Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal</a>, the team made a few moves by signing Collin Gillespie <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1939723890411868372" rel="noopener">to a new contract</a> and deciding <a href="https://x.com/Gambo987/status/1939732193649336599" rel="noopener">to not retain</a> Cody Martin, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and John Gambadoro, respectively.</p><p>After the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-trade-suns-jalen-green">Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets</a>, there have been questions if Beal would be next on the trade block as the team has shown its confidence in Gillespie.</p><p>Charania reported that it’s a one-year contract that is guaranteed as both sides worked towards the deal after he played well under a two-way contract. Last season in 33 games played, Gillespie averaged 5.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 43 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from beyond the arc.</p><p>“Guard Collin Gillespie intends to sign a guaranteed one-year contract to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote. “Suns officials and agents James Dunleavy and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports worked toward the deal that rewards Gillespie after a strong season on a two-way.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Guard Collin Gillespie intends to sign a guaranteed one-year contract to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. Suns officials and agents James Dunleavy and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports worked toward the deal that rewards Gillespie after a strong season on a two-way. <a href="https://t.co/vdDs0S0Pay">pic.twitter.com/vdDs0S0Pay</a></p><p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1939723890411868372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>As for Martin, Gambadoro posted on his X, formerly Twitter, account that “his contract was non-guaranteed until today,” effectively making him a free agent. Last season, Martin averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 41.8 percent from the field.</p><h2><b>Despite rumors, Bradley Beal is likely staying with the Suns</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Beal-vs-the-Thunder.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>As some <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-rumors-bradley-beal-goner-kevin-durant-trade">speculation had Beal gone from the Suns</a>, the latest reporting from Jake Fischer poured water over that notion, saying that the expectation is that he will be on the team. Not only is he healthy, but Beal is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDg4YREbLrg&amp;t=1241s" rel="noopener">ready to have a bounce-back season</a> and be a featured player alongside a new look backcourt of Devin Booker and newcomer Jalen Green.</p><p>“I think there’s really nothing to expect on the Bradley Beal front outside of Bradley Beal being a member of the Phoenix Suns and trying to have a bounce-back season,” Fischer said, via Bleacher Report.</p><p>“If he does that, and by bounce-back season, I want to say Bradley Beal also, because of just how poor overall Phoenix’s season went, I think his success and his efficiency as a shooter honestly got a bit overshadowed, clouded. The guy averaged 17 points a game last year, shooting 38% from three in 32 minutes per game.”</p><p>“The word out of Beal land is that Bradley Beal is healthy,” Fischer said. “He’s going to come back at 32 years old with two years left on his deal and be a real factor in Phoenix’s backcourt alongside Devin Booker and newly added Jalen Green.”</p><p>At any rate, Phoenix is looking to improve after finishing 11th in the West.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Suns make two key roster decisions amid Bradley Beal rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-suns-center-linked-knicks-lakers-trade-talks');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Suns center linked to Knicks, Lakers in trade talks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Suns-center-Nick-Richards.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Suns center linked to Knicks, Lakers in trade talks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-30T10:35:16-07:00">June 30th, 10:35am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-30T11:01:24-07:00">June 30th, 11:01am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After the Phoenix <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-phoenix-trades-for-mark-williams-drafts-khaman-maluach-moments-apart">Suns traded for Mark Williams and drafted a center</a> with the No. 10 pick in the NBA Draft, Nick Richards is perceived to be the odd man out in a logjam in the frontcourt.</p><p>After striking out on Williams in a collapsed deal with the Charlotte Hornets, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a run at the Suns for Richards. One report is linking the Lakers and the New York Knicks to the veteran 7-footer.</p><p>The Suns should be <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-free-agency-deandre-ayton-malik-beasley-myles-turner-nickeil-alexander-walker-trades/" rel="noopener">combing through offers</a> for Richards this week, according to Hoopshype’s Michael Sotto.</p><p>“After trading for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams and drafting Khaman Maluach with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards is a trade candidate to monitor,” Sotto reports. “Richards has a $5 million non-guaranteed salary for the 2025-26 season expected to be guaranteed by the Suns, which will give the team the ability to trade him.</p><p>“Richards has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Los Angeles Lakers,” Sotto concluded.</p><p>The Suns could wind up with a solid haul for Richards in a move with the Knicks or Lakers. In an attempt to position themselves for a deep playoff run in the post-Kevin Durant era, the Suns are off to a strong start in addressing its frontcourt concerns with a starting center in Williams and a starting forward with All-Star potential in Jalen Green.</p><h2><b>Bill Simmons adds Lakers to landing spot for Suns’ Bradley Beal</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Suns-guard-Bradley-Beal.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>If the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-bill-simmons-has-la-atop-bradley-beal-potential-landing-spots">Lakers are in the market for Bradley Beal</a>, perhaps the Suns could swing a move centered around Rui Hachimura and other pieces to match salary. It’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQjXScGWcS8&amp;t=5064s" rel="noopener">a move worth exploring</a> if you’re the Lakers, per The Ringer’s Bill Simmons.</p><p>“I think the Lakers are in there from a desperation standpoint on getting some sort of person that makes them feel different than they were last year,” Simmons said.</p><p>“I’m putting Sacramento in here because I think they’re just in no man’s land, and they’re somehow back to who they were for the entire 2010s, and they just have this weird team that doesn’t make sense, and are they capable of anything.”</p><p>“I had Phoenix because of this Beal situation,” Simmons continued. “What do you do? You can’t buy them out. That would be idiotic. Do you hope he’s gonna be better? You can’t trade him.”</p><p>The Suns front office will begin to execute its offseason gameplan this week.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Suns center linked to Knicks, Lakers in trade talks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-chris-paul-reunion-suns-clippers-possibility');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Chris Paul reunion with Suns or Clippers is a possibility');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Chris-Paul.jpg"><figcaption>Soobum Im-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Chris Paul reunion with Suns or Clippers is a possibility</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T13:26:41-07:00">June 29th, 1:26pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T13:26:41-07:00">June 29th, 1:26pm</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor and College Sports Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Clippers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The point guard market is one of the biggest things to watch for in NBA free agency this offseason as key veterans are expected to be moving around throughout the month of July. San Antonio Spurs point guard <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/mavericks-rumors-dallas-immediate-chris-paul-plans-after-drafting-cooper-flagg">Chris Paul is perhaps the most notable of those names</a> and plenty of teams are expected to be pursuing him when free agency opens on Monday.</p><p>Paul reportedly wants to play closer to home in Los Angeles, so a Western Conference team seems like then likely outcome for his free agency. The Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers have <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/chris-pauls-looming-free-agency-with?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=167117215&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">emerged as two potential suitors</a> for the future Hall of Famer, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.</p><p>“The Los Angeles Clippers, in addition to Phoenix, are another of Paul’s former teams that is said to be weighing a second engagement with the 12-time NBA All-Star, who turned 40 in May,” Stein and Fischer wrote. “Paul’s family stayed in Los Angeles this season while Dad played in South Texas.”</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/suns-news-tyus-jones-mike-budenholzer-disagree-energy-pressure-mounting">Suns could very well be losing Tyus Jones</a> in free agency this offseason, which would open up a spot for Paul at a position of need. Of course, the legendary floor general made his only NBA Finals appearance alongside Devin Booker with the Suns back in 2021, so he would surely be welcomed back with open arms.</p><p>It would also be a reunion if Paul went back to the Clippers. He had some of his best individual seasons in Los Angeles with the “Lob City” Clippers from 2011-17, and it would be a full-circle moment to see him back with Los Angeles.</p><p>While Chris Paul isn’t the same player he was 10 years ago, he is a dependable veteran who can still give quality minutes to a playoff team. He played in all 82 games last season, averaging 8.8 points and 7.4 assists per game, so it’s no surprise to see him garnering interest from around the league.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Chris Paul reunion with Suns or Clippers is a possibility

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/nba-rumors-the-truth-behind-suns-cavs-trade-talks-kevin-durant-darius-garland');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: The truth behind Suns-Cavs trade talks with Kevin Durant, Darius Garland');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Darius-Garland-takes-a-three-pointer.jpg"><figcaption>Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: The truth behind Suns-Cavs trade talks with Kevin Durant, Darius Garland</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-25T13:59:29-07:00">June 25th, 1:59pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-25T13:59:29-07:00">June 25th, 1:59pm</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Phoenix Suns seemed to be fielding calls from almost anybody when they were trying to find a trade partner for Kevin Durant. Even though <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-kevin-durant-controlled-trade-process-to-get-to-rockets">Durant had his preferred destinations</a>, the Suns still made sure to do their due diligence and find the best deal that could help them in the long run.</p><p>In the end, the Suns sent Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in this year’s draft. The Suns got what they wanted as far as young talent and assets, and Durant was able to go to a team of his choice. Before the trade, the Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/2025/6/25/24455638/cavs-nba-trade-rumors-darius-garland-cleveland-cavaliers-kevin-durant-phoenix-suns" rel="noopener">had talks about a trade</a> that involved Darius Garland, but apparently, it was Phoenix doing all the talking.</p><p>“The Suns were the ones to reach out that had interest in Garland”, Windhorst said on his show. “It was not the Cavs that wanted to trade Garland.”</p><p>After a great regular season, it would have been hard to see the Cavs trading Garland, and Windhorst noted that they don’t seem to be shopping him.</p><p>“I do believe that the Cavs are not trying to shop him (Garland) and I do believe when they got some phone calls, they had some conversations,” Windhorst said.</p><p>The Cavs have a good chance of being at the top of the Eastern Conference once again, especially looking at the landscape currently, with key players on several teams having long-term injuries. Durant would have been a nice acquisition for the Cavs, but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-bill-simmons-floats-intriguing-darius-garland-trade-nets">Garland just seems more valuable</a> in his role with the team. Going into the offseason, the Cavs might not make many moves, as their starting five is locked in and their key players on the bench seem to be returning as well.</p><p>For the Suns, they were just trying to find the best offer they could, but it looks like the Rockets came out on top and were more willing to make a deal.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: The truth behind Suns-Cavs trade talks with Kevin Durant, Darius Garland

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-rumors-jake-fischer-2-center-options-no-10');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns rumors: Jake Fischer names 2 center options at No. 10');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Ishbia-at-a-game.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Suns rumors: Jake Fischer names 2 center options at No. 10</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-24T12:52:51-07:00">June 24th, 12:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-24T12:52:51-07:00">June 24th, 12:52pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On Sunday, the Phoenix Suns officially <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/the-suns-cant-keep-new-big-3-together-after-kevin-durant-trade">ended the Kevin Durant sweepstakes</a> by trading the future Hall of Famer to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and draft compensation, including the number ten pick in this year’s draft. The move doesn’t necessarily signal a full rebuild <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-rumors-bradley-beal-goner-kevin-durant-trade">for the Suns</a> but it does signal that Mat Ishbia and company knew that a change was needed.</p><p>Now all eyes turn toward Wednesday’s NBA Draft, where Phoenix now has a lottery pick.</p><p>Recently, NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line on Substack broke down some potential frontcourt candidates that the Suns could target <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/inside-the-celtics-first-big-trade?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=166730327&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">at that spot.</a></p><p>“In the No. 10 range, it remains to be seen which players will be available after Toronto selects at No. 9 … or the Raptors trade that selection elsewhere. Two names I’ve been told to monitor for the Suns on NBA Draft Eve at No. 10: Maryland’s Derik Queen and Michigan’s Danny Wolf,” reported Fischer.</p><p>Frontcourt depth will indeed be a priority moving forward for the Suns. Last year, Phoenix’s production in that department was abysmal to the point where the Suns ultimately traded Jusuf Nurkic after he had been benched by head coach Mike Budenholzer, who has since been fired.</p><h2><b>A murky path forward for the Suns</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Suns-star-Devin-Booker.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It’s unlikely that the Suns will ever fully rebuild as long as Devin Booker is on the roster. It also doesn’t help matters that Bradley Beal and his league-worst contract are also still on the books.</p><p>It remains to be seen how newly signed head coach Jordan Ott will go about utilizing Beal, Booker, and Green, all of whom are natural shooting guards and none of whom are particularly elite on the defensive end of the floor.</p><p>Overall, it’s been an astonishing fall from grace for the Suns since their 2021 NBA Finals appearance, aided by severe mismanagement from Ishbia along with regression from certain players on the roster.</p><p>While trading Durant was the first step toward a clearer future, the Suns still have a lot of work to do to get themselves out of their current mess.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Suns rumors: Jake Fischer names 2 center options at No. 10

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-rumors-phoenixs-next-22m-roster-decisions-after-kevin-durant-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns rumors: Phoenix’s next $22M roster decisions after Kevin Durant trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kevin-Durant-during-Suns-game.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Suns rumors: Phoenix’s next $22M roster decisions after Kevin Durant trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-23T16:25:53-07:00">June 23rd, 4:25pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-24T11:20:59-07:00">June 24th, 11:20am</time><address><a>Jake Faigus</a>Jake Faigus graduated from the University of Arizona in 2022 and has written for several publications and websites. He has had stops at Catena Media, Playmaker, DraftKings, USA Today, Spike Up, and Spotlight Sports Group. He also writes for Sporting News and works at iHeartMedia in Phoenix when he is not writing for ClutchPoints.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The dust has settled on the Phoenix Suns’ massive trade of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets were widely seen as the best suitor, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-trade-suns-jalen-green">both teams were able to complete the deal</a>. The Suns are not done yet either. They have a massive payroll and are actively looking to trim their roster for salary reasons, instead of infusing new talent into a team that desperately needs a boost.</p><p>The Suns actively seek to eliminate $22 million from their roster, which comes down to two players they might move on from. Vasilije Micic and Cody Martin are all on the chopping block. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype broke it down, saying that <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-kevin-durant-trade-rockets-suns-heat-timberwolves-raptors-thunder-pacers-kings/">both are expected to be waived unless a trade opens up for both</a>.</p><p>“Phoenix is expected to decline the $8.11 million team option on Micic, barring a trade that would necessitate his salary being included, league sources told HoopsHype. The two-time EuroLeague champion and former EuroLeague MVP is expected to command significantly lucrative offers overseas.</p><p>Martin, whose $8.68 million salary for the 2025-26 season is non-guaranteed, is in a similar boat to Micic. Martin is a candidate to be waived unless his salary is included in a trade.”</p><p>Micic rarely saw the court last season and did not contribute much, while Martin came in with some expectations to be able to help the Suns, but was disappointing.</p><p>HoopsHype also reports that the Suns <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-kevin-durant-trade-rockets-suns-heat-timberwolves-raptors-thunder-pacers-kings/">are gauging the trade market</a> for Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen. After the Durant trade, Phoenix’s backcourt got more crowded, leaving less room for either to contribute meaningfully in the backcourt and on the wing.</p><p>O’Neale averaged 9.1 points and shot 40.6% from behind the arc, while Allen averaged 10.6 points on 42.6% from behind the arc. However, O’Neale is owed a combined $32.63 million over the next three seasons, and Allen is owed $35 million over the next two seasons with a $19.38 million player option for the 2027-28 season.</p><p>The addition of Jalen Green raises many questions about the status of the backcourt and wing players as we enter the offseason, especially because the Suns reportedly <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-rumors-phoenixs-jalen-green-trade-plan-kevin-durant-blockbuster">decided on keeping Green and not flipping him for more</a>. The Suns made a giant deal involving Kevin Durant, but they are far from over in finalizing their roster, and these next few moves will determine how much the Suns can contend for an NBA championship moving forward.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Suns rumors: Phoenix’s next $22M roster decisions after Kevin Durant trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-rumors-bradley-beal-goner-kevin-durant-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns rumors: Bradley Beal is a goner after Kevin Durant trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Suns-Bradley-Beal.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Suns rumors: Bradley Beal is a goner after Kevin Durant trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-22T14:27:22-07:00">June 22nd, 2:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-22T14:27:22-07:00">June 22nd, 2:27pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Almost two weeks after the Phoenix Suns hired Jordan Ott, the franchise made a significant move. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/kevin-durant-trade-grades-rockets-suns-after-blockbuster-deal">Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets</a>. As a result, it leaves Bradley Beal in a bit of a limbo.</p><p>According to John Gambadoro via the Kevin O’Connor Show, he said that the Suns will <a href="https://x.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1936884770484507111" rel="noopener">either trade or buy out</a> Beal. This decision doesn’t come as much of a surprise, considering the failed experiment.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Bradley Beal will get traded or bought out by the Phoenix Suns, per <a href="https://twitter.com/Gambo987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Gambo987</a>. <a href="https://t.co/UqivPqN4Eb">https://t.co/UqivPqN4Eb</a> <a href="https://t.co/OrMRuGz1ei">pic.twitter.com/OrMRuGz1ei</a></p><p>— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1936884770484507111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>However, his <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/10811/bradley-beal" rel="noopener">near $50 million price tag</a> doesn’t make things any easier for the franchise to digest. A fickle 2024-25 season left a sour taste in fans’ mouths.</p><p>Even though previous head coach Mike Budenholzer didn’t help the situation, it didn’t eliminate the disappointment that many felt towards Beal.</p><p>He came off the bench and started, but never had a consistent role. Fans continued to be irate with him when the end of the season and a hunt for a play-in spot ended in missing out entirely.</p><p>Many suggested that he didn’t care, which seemed like a stretch. It didn’t help that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-bradley-beal-agent-nonsense-trade-reports">Suns tried time and time again to trade Beal</a>, despite him having a no-trade clause.</p><h2><b>How could the Suns release Bradley Beal with his no-trade clause?</b></h2><p>This might all be wishful thinking. With a no-trade clause, Beal doesn’t have to go anywhere or agree to anything. After all, he said that his family loves Phoenix and the environment.</p><p>Not to mention, his salary wouldn’t be one he would be willing to negotiate. Losing out on $50 million isn’t something anyone would do if they don’t have to.</p><p>Could the Suns risk not playing Beal to come to a buyout?</p><p>That’s a possible scenario, and one that they might have to brace themselves for. In the Durant trade, Phoenix acquired Jalen Green, who has a similar skillset to Devin Booker and Beal himself.</p><p>That Big 3 could be even more redundant and less talented– which leaves Beal as the odd man out.</p><p>Beal’s decision could impact the next several seasons for the Suns. If he were to be bought out, they could stretch and waive him to reduce the amount of immediate money owed.</p><p>Simultaneously, if they were to trade him, it would be <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2025/4/16/24407565/phoenix-suns-2025-offseason-bradley-beal-trade-waiver-buyout-ntc-financial-flexibility" rel="noopener">tough to find a trade partner</a>.</p><p>Few teams have shown interest and would be willing to give Phoenix what they are looking for. This is truly a unique situation for the franchise.</p><p>They could bite the bullet on a buyout– or try and navigate a trade– hoping that they find a trade partner who will absorb the salary.</p><p>Expectations should be tempered, or not set at all, as the Suns might not be able to get off Beal that easily.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Suns rumors: Bradley Beal is a goner after Kevin Durant trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-jalen-green-poison-pill-delay-finalizing-rockets-kevin-durant-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: The Jalen Green ‘poison pill’ that will delay finalizing Kevin Durant trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Jalen-Green-4.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: The Jalen Green ‘poison pill’ that will delay finalizing Kevin Durant trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-22T12:08:41-07:00">June 22nd, 12:08pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-22T12:08:41-07:00">June 22nd, 12:08pm</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor and College Sports Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On the day of Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the NBA didn’t want to wait until tip-off to steal the headlines. Instead, the biggest move of the NBA offseason so far dropped on the morning of the biggest game of the year as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/kevin-durant-trade-grades-rockets-suns-after-blockbuster-deal">Kevin Durant was traded</a> from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets. The Suns are getting back a package centered around Jalen Green and the No. 10 pick in the NBA Draft.</p><p>Phoenix is also getting Dillon Brooks and five second-round picks in return for the 36-year old superstar.</p><p>However, even though the deal is already done and agreed to, it <a href="https://x.com/BobbyMarks42/status/1936827041472811024" rel="noopener">cannot be finalized</a> until July 6 according to Bobby Marks of ESPN.</p><p>“Because of the poison pill restriction in the Jalen Green rookie extension, this trade cannot be finalized until July 6,” Marks wrote on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>The poison pill comes into effect because the Rockets signed Green to a rookie extension, but it does not come into effect until next season, so the trade can’t go through until July. However, this should not affect the trade at all, instead it will just delay the official transaction for a few weeks.</p><p>The immediate reaction to the trade was that Green would likely be traded or moved from the Suns in one form or fashion, but that is not the case. Instead, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/suns-rumors-phoenixs-jalen-green-trade-plan-kevin-durant-blockbuster">Suns plan to pair Green with Devin Booker</a> in the backcourt, and will try to move on from Bradley Beal instead.</p><p>The fit between Green and Booker is an interesting one, and will be one of the storylines to watch coming into next season that stem from this trade. Neither is a natural point guard, but playing the two of them next to a traditional floor general could really hurt the Suns on the defensive end of the floor. However, Green has not shown the level of playmaking to be that point guard, so the product on the court will be fascinating to watch.</p><p>Regardless, Green has a ton of talent on the offensive end and the Suns are betting on him taking another step forward in his fifth season after a change of scenery.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: The Jalen Green ‘poison pill’ that will delay finalizing Kevin Durant trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-rumors-phoenixs-jalen-green-trade-plan-kevin-durant-blockbuster');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns rumors: Phoenix’s Jalen Green trade plan after Kevin Durant blockbuster');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Suns-guard-Jalen-Green.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Suns rumors: Phoenix’s Jalen Green trade plan after Kevin Durant blockbuster</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-22T11:03:46-07:00">June 22nd, 11:03am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-22T11:03:46-07:00">June 22nd, 11:03am</time><address><a>Owen Crisafulli</a>Owen Crisafulli is a Senior Editor and NFL Lead at ClutchPoints, who also covers the NBA and MLB. He received his Masters in Business Administration Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Nichols College. Previously, ran his own website, and had bylines at FanSided, Basketball Network, Athlon Sports, and The Sporting News. In addition to his work at ClutchPoints, Owen is also a Breaking News Writer at Heavy and a Content Producer for More Views Media.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After months of rumors, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/rockets-news-kevin-durant-trade-suns-jalen-green">Phoenix Suns finally managed to trade Kevin Durant</a>, sending him to the Houston Rockets in a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/rockets-news-kevin-durants-live-reaction-to-blockbuster-houston-trade">blockbuster deal</a> on Sunday afternoon. In return, the Suns landed Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five future second-round picks. While Durant being on the move was obviously the biggest piece of this trade, fans quickly wondered what this trade meant for Green.</p><p>The No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Green enjoyed the best season of his career last season, averaging 21 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for the Rockets. Things went south for him in the postseason (13.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 37.2%), and Houston’s front office felt comfortable moving him to Phoenix in this deal. The Suns could look to move Green and pick up even more assets, but it sounds like they intend on <a href="https://x.com/Gambo987/status/1936835627812786487" rel="noopener">keeping him in town</a> to play alongside Devin Booker.</p><p>“The Suns do not plan to trade Jalen Green, he is expected to play alongside Devin Booker in the backcourt,” John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix reported on X.</p><h2><b>Suns pairing Jalen Green with Devin Booker in new-look backcourt</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Jalen-Green-on-April-30-2025.jpg"><figcaption>Thomas Shea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Green’s game needs work in some areas, but the Suns are optimistic that playing him alongside Booker, who has a fairly similar playstyle, will help him grow. Booker’s evolution as a playmaker should help create opportunities for Green, and Phoenix’s new star guard is a strong enough isolation-scorer that opposing defenses won’t be able to focus all of their attention just Booker.</p><p>If Green struggles with the Suns, they could simply look to trade him down the line, but with Durant gone, they are going to give this new backcourt duo a shot to succeed. This is only the start of Phoenix’s offseason work, and it will be worth keeping tabs on them to see what moves they end up making now that they have finally found a new home for Durant.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Suns rumors: Phoenix’s Jalen Green trade plan after Kevin Durant blockbuster

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-suns-insider-claims-kevin-durant-trade-very-close');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Suns insider claims Kevin Durant trade is ‘very close’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kevin-Durant-1-2.jpg"><figcaption>Jerome Miron-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Suns insider claims Kevin Durant trade is ‘very close’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-22T08:04:55-07:00">June 22nd, 8:04am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-22T08:04:55-07:00">June 22nd, 8:04am</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor and College Sports Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-rockets-suns-kevin-durant-trade-call-didnt-go-well">Kevin Durant trade talks</a> between the Phoenix Suns and other teams are heating up after weeks of discussions about a potential deal for the aging superstar, and now it’s getting close to decision time. Understandably, the Suns would want a deal to get done before Wednesday’s NBA Draft so they can focus their full attention on moving forward with the franchise.</p><p>After long discussions, a Durant deal is getting closer and closer and <a href="https://x.com/Gambo987/status/1936784508017414491" rel="noopener">could be just around the corner</a>, according to Suns insider John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix.</p><p>“A Kevin Durant deal is very close,” Gambadoro reported on X, formerly Twitter. “Phoenix continues to work with multiple teams to get the deal they want and I expect it will happen today or tomorrow.”</p><p>Durant selected the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockers and Miami Heat as the three teams that he would like to play for, but there has been plenty of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-analyst-drops-attention-catching-kevin-durant-timberwolves-take">buzz surrounding the Minnesota Timberwolves</a> as a potential suitor as well despite Durant not wanting to play there.</p><p>Of course, the Suns should be focused on getting the best return for Durant rather than where he wants to go, but his preferred list throws a wrinkle into the discussions. The 36-year old will be a free agent next summer, so any team that isn’t among his preferred group of three has to take into consideration that he could be a one-year rental.</p><p>Still, the trade-off for a team like the Timberwolves could be worth it. Minnesota should rightfully feel that it is close to getting over the hump and reaching the NBA Finals with a chance at winning a championship. The Wolves have lost in the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years, so Durant could be the final piece of the puzzle for them.</p><p>Still, it will take a lot for the Timberwolves to match an offer that teams like the Rockets and the Spurs can offer. Both squads have valuable young pieces that the Timberwolves don’t necessarily have to trade, so Minnesota still has to overcome some hurdles to get a deal done.</p><p>Regardless of who ends up landing Durant, they will immediately become a big-time contender heading into next season provided that the former league MVP is healthy and playing close to his best.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Suns insider claims Kevin Durant trade is ‘very close’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-insider-celtics-involvement-kevin-durant-trade-catch');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Insider floats Celtics involvement in Kevin Durant trade, with a catch');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Suns-forward-Kevin-Durant.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Insider floats Celtics involvement in Kevin Durant trade, with a catch</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-22T07:35:53-07:00">June 22nd, 7:35am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-22T07:35:53-07:00">June 22nd, 7:35am</time><address><a>Owen Crisafulli</a>Owen Crisafulli is a Senior Editor and NFL Lead at ClutchPoints, who also covers the NBA and MLB. He received his Masters in Business Administration Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Nichols College. Previously, ran his own website, and had bylines at FanSided, Basketball Network, Athlon Sports, and The Sporting News. In addition to his work at ClutchPoints, Owen is also a Breaking News Writer at Heavy and a Content Producer for More Views Media.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>One of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-rockets-suns-kevin-durant-trade-call-didnt-go-well">biggest trade candidates heading into the 2025 NBA offseason is Kevin Durant</a>, as it seems inevitable the Phoenix Suns will move on from him. To this point, though, they haven’t received an offer that has piqued their interest, which has created quite a bit of suspense ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. With that in mind, NBA insider Zach Lowe recently pitched an intriguing situation that could lead to the Boston Celtics getting involved in a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/heat-rumors-miami-linked-to-suns-role-player-amid-kevin-durant-trade-buzz">potential trade for Durant</a>.</p><p>The Celtics have not been shy about their interest in Durant in past seasons, and while they aren’t one of his three preferred landing spots, their status as a perennial title contender, he’d probably be OK with getting dealt there. However, Lowe doesn’t think Boston would be landing Durant in a potential trade, but rather <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtdDYs_Bl3U" rel="noopener">acting as the third team</a> to help make things work from a salary perspective.</p><p>“The focus for me is on Jrue Holiday,” Lowe said on “The Zach Lowe Show.” “I’ve heard that there have been at least very broad discussions of three-team, Durant-related trades where Jrue Holiday is (included). I think these could be conjured by Phoenix in hopes of getting a deal done, more-or-less, where Jrue Holiday moves somewhere. Just like he was the shrapnel in the (Damian Lillard) trade and ended up in Boston.”</p><h2><b>Zach Lowe douses Celtics involvement in Kevin Durant trade in cold water</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kevin-Durant-looking-on.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>With the C’s being over the second apron of the salary cap entering the offseason, they are expected to try to shed some salary in an effort to get below that line, which could result in them getting involved in what could be the biggest trade of the offseason. As quick as Lowe was to float this idea as a possibility, though, he was just as quick to note that it <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/1936236318041714734" rel="noopener">isn’t exactly likely to happen</a> at this point.</p><p>“One clarification here b/c we rushed at end — when I mentioned the very broad idea of 3-team trades involving Jrue Holiday + KD, I meant to indicate KD would go to the third team in those deals (i.e. maybe a team on his list) — and NOT to Boston,” Lowe said in a post on X. “The Celtics are NOT looking to trade for KD. I don’t think such a 3-team trade is really in the ether anyway. Thought this would be obvious but should have stated more clearly.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">One clarification here b/c we rushed at end — when I mentioned the very broad idea of 3-team trades involving Jrue Holiday + KD, I meant to indicate KD would go to the third team in those deals (i.e. maybe a team on his list) — and NOT to Boston. The Celtics are NOT looking to… <a href="https://t.co/VUvT2RLUJf">https://t.co/VUvT2RLUJf</a></p><p>— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/1936236318041714734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>There are lots of moving pieces that are involved with moving a superstar with Durant, which makes it tough to predict what the framework of a trade would look like. So while the Celtics could conceivably become a part of this blockbuster move, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see something get completed without their involvement, which means all eyes will remain on Durant as the 2025 draft draws near.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Insider floats Celtics involvement in Kevin Durant trade, with a catch

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-rockets-suns-kevin-durant-trade-call-didnt-go-well');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Insider reveals Rockets-Suns Kevin Durant trade call that ‘didn’t go well’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kevin-Durant-7.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Insider reveals Rockets-Suns Kevin Durant trade call that ‘didn’t go well’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-22T07:21:36-07:00">June 22nd, 7:21am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-22T07:21:36-07:00">June 22nd, 7:21am</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor and College Sports Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the NBA Draft approaches, the biggest question still remaining in the NBA offseason is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/siegels-scoop-how-kevin-durant-trade-saga-impacts-draft-free-agency-rumors">where Kevin Durant will land</a>. Ever since the end of the Phoenix Suns season this year, it has felt like Durant is on the way out and was likely to be traded.</p><p>A few weeks into talks, it was revealed that Durant prefers to play for the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets or Miami Heat. All three could desperately use Durant and have different but intriguing packages to send back to Phoenix for the disgruntled star.</p><p>However, that doesn’t mean everything has been going smoothly. Specifically on the Rockets front, there has been a disconnect between what the Suns think Durant’s value is and what the Rockets seem to want to give up for him. NBA insider Sam Amick <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuF2Q84KePU" rel="noopener">detailed the state of talks</a> between the two teams on a recent episode of <i>The Athletic NBA Daily.</i></p><p>“I was told (Thursday) that Houston hadn’t talked to Phoenix since last week, and that call didn’t go particularly well,” Amick said. “That could have changed by now, again that’s as of (Thursday). They would love to have KD, but it’s on their price.”</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/rockets-rumors-what-houston-has-offered-in-kevin-durant-trade">Rockets have a set offer to Phoenix for Durant</a>, likely centered around Jalen Green and some of their other young pieces. However, the Suns still want more from them and are clearly set to hold out until they get it, from either the Rockets or someone else.</p><p>Of course, a big part of the disconnect on Durant’s value likely comes from his contract situation. The 36-year old can be a free agent next summer if he chooses not to sign a contract extension with whichever team he is traded to this offseason, which drives down his price on the market.</p><p>Durant has also had durability and injury concerns as he has gotten older, which surely makes teams reluctant to give up the farm to bring him in. Still, the chance to trade for one of the truly elite players in the history of the game and immediately vault into championship contention will be too enticing to pass up for one of these teams in the coming weeks.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Insider reveals Rockets-Suns Kevin Durant trade call that ‘didn’t go well’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/miami-heat/heat-rumors-miami-linked-to-suns-role-player-amid-kevin-durant-trade-buzz');   ga('set', 'title', 'Heat rumors: Miami linked to Suns role player amid Kevin Durant trade buzz');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/suns.jpg"><figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Heat rumors: Miami linked to Suns role player amid Kevin Durant trade buzz</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-21T09:27:26-07:00">June 21st, 9:27am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-21T15:55:07-07:00">June 21st, 3:55pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Miami Heat</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/miami-heat/heat-rumors-what-miami-is-missing-in-kevin-durant-trade-proposal">Miami Heat continue to be linked to a potential trade for Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant</a>, the franchise may also be eyeing a familiar complementary piece in the process. According to NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, Miami has <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/all-the-nbas-latest-trade-talk-draft" rel="noopener">expressed interest</a> in Suns swingman Cody Martin, who could emerge as part of a larger deal structure involving Durant.</p><p>In a recent report from The Stein Line, Fischer and Stein noted that several teams have inquired about Martin, 29, and that he may be involved in any multi-team trade package Phoenix assembles to facilitate a Durant deal. Among those teams, the Heat are reportedly showing notable interest.</p><p>“League sources say several teams have registered interest in the Suns’ Cody Martin,” they reported. “The veteran swingman could very well factor into any direct or multi-team deal that Phoenix inevitably puts together to ship out the NBA’s No. 8 all-time leading scorer.</p><p>“Miami, to name one example, is known to hold an affinity for Martin, sources say. The Heat certainly developed a familiarity for Martin while Miami rostered his twin brother Caleb.”</p><p>Cody Martin is coming off his seventh NBA season, which he split between the Charlotte Hornets and the Phoenix Suns. Across 53 games, he averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 41.8% from the field and 28.5% from three in 22.1 minutes per game.</p><p>“Martin will be on an expiring $8.6 million contract for the 2025–26 season, adding potential trade value as a short-term, cap-friendly asset.</p><h2><b>Cody Martin emerges as Heat target in Kevin Durant trade talks</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Cody-Martin-17-is-guarded-by-Milwaukee-Bucks-forward-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-34.jpg"><figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Though not a high-usage player, Martin is widely regarded as a versatile defender and reliable role player. His ability to guard multiple positions and contribute on both ends of the floor makes him a logical target for a Miami team known for valuing defensive tenacity and system fit.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/miami-heat/miami-heats-nightmare-outcome-for-2025-nba-draft">Heat, who were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 playoffs</a> after earning the No. 8 seed via the Play-In Tournament, are actively exploring roster upgrades.</p><p>While the focus remains on a possible deal for Durant, Miami has the flexibility to build out its supporting cast through multi-team frameworks — something Phoenix appears open to, particularly as it aims to reset its tax positioning and improve roster depth.</p><p>Durant, 36, averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this past season, but the Suns missed the postseason with a 36–46 record. Under new head coach Jordan Ott, the organization is expected to pursue roster changes that provide immediate competitive value while reducing long-term salary burdens.</p><p>Caleb Martin, who previously played three seasons with Miami, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/philadelphia-76ers/76ers-news-philadelphia-continues-free-agent-frenzy-with-caleb-martin-signing">signed with the Philadelphia 76ers last offseason</a> before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks. His time in Miami left a strong impression on the franchise, and that familiarity could influence how the Heat evaluate Cody’s fit within their system.</p><p>As trade discussions around Durant evolve, players like Martin could become key components in bridging financial gaps and balancing roster needs. Whether or not the Heat ultimately land Durant, their interest in Martin signals a broader strategy to improve both top-end talent and rotational depth.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Heat rumors: Miami linked to Suns role player amid Kevin Durant trade buzz

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/kevin-durant-shuts-down-locker-room-fistfight-rumors');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kevin Durant shuts down locker room ‘fistfight’ rumors');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Suns-superstar-Kevin-Durant.jpg"><figcaption>Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Kevin Durant shuts down locker room ‘fistfight’ rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-20T10:23:02-07:00">June 20th, 10:23am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-20T10:23:02-07:00">June 20th, 10:23am</time><address><a>Zachary Draves</a>Zachary Draves is a sportswriter and broadcaster based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Zachary covers a variety of different sports as well as sports history, sport and society, and sport and culture. He is also a professor of sociology.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Wherever Kevin Durant ends up is anyone’s guess. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/kevin-durant-trade-offer-timberwolves-make-suns-seal-deal">Phoenix Suns may look for a trade deal</a> with the Minnesota Timberwolves if all the pieces of the puzzle align.</p><p>Meanwhile, he has some scores to settle with whatever time he may have left with the Suns.</p><p>On Friday, the parody account NBA Central <a href="https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1936082014123237552" rel="noopener">posted a claim</a> that Suns players took part in a locker room fist fight according to former NBA player DeMarcus Cousins.</p><p>However, Durant<a href="https://x.com/KDTrey5/status/1936097849634165198" rel="noopener"> flatly refuted</a> those claims on his X page.</p><p>“I have to contest this 94 footer. This some bull—- to throw on us. Yea yea yea we were trash this year ha ha ha but we NEVER got close to this. NEVER”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have to contest this 94 footer. This some bullshit to throw on us. Yea yea yea we were trash this year ha ha ha but we NEVER got close to this. NEVER <a href="https://t.co/JfjA7wmLa7">https://t.co/JfjA7wmLa7</a></p><p>— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) <a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5/status/1936097849634165198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Whether true or false, this is the latest example of an organization in a state of chaos. The Suns finished the season with a 36-46 record.</p><p>Even with Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, they fell short of the playoffs. Furthermore, the Suns are without a head coach following the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-fire-mike-budenholzer-one-season">firing of Mike Budenholzer after one year</a>.</p><p>Furthermore, the Suns are facing some serious financial difficulties. This is do in part of the salaries given to Durant, Beal, and Booker.</p><p>Durant’s salary is $49.86 million whereas Beal’s salary is $50.2 million. Booker’s salary is $49,205,800.</p><p>The Suns’ payroll is $220,708,856, one of the highest in the league.</p><p>All this combined has the Suns paying a hefty luxury tax. Not only that, their payroll restricts their ability to utilize salary cap exceptions as a way to improve the roster.</p><p>Combined that with the uncertainty of Durant’s future adds to the dismal state of the franchise.</p><h2><b>Kevin Durant is better off not being with the Suns</b></h2><p>With so much drama in Phoenix it’s kind of hard being Kevin Durant. Not to mention that even though he is still a great player, he is 36 years old and almost at the end of his career.</p><p>Therefore, it is best for him to be able to close it out elsewhere.</p><p>The alleged toxicity amongst the team, the warring egos, being strapped for cash, and coaching inconsistencies are too much for one guy to handle. Anywhere Durant goes will provide a much needed gulp of water after being stuck in the hot sweltering desert.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kevin Durant shuts down locker room ‘fistfight’ rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/miami-heat/heat-rumors-what-miami-is-missing-in-kevin-durant-trade-proposal');   ga('set', 'title', 'Heat rumors: What Miami is missing in Kevin Durant trade proposal');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_22401484.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Heat rumors: What Miami is missing in Kevin Durant trade proposal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-20T10:15:42-07:00">June 20th, 10:15am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-20T10:15:42-07:00">June 20th, 10:15am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Miami Heat</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-shams-claims-heat-rockets-piece-or-2-away-kevin-durant-trade">Kevin Durant trade discussions intensify</a> across the league, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/miami-heat/kevin-durant-trade-offer-heat-must-make-to-suns-to-seal-deal">Miami Heat continue to emerge as one of the most viable landing spots</a> for the Phoenix Suns star. However, despite Miami’s strong positioning and persistent interest, a key piece may still be missing from their offer. According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, league personnel believe Miami could be close — but not quite at the finish line — unless they are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/siegels-scoop-how-kevin-durant-trade-saga-impacts-draft-free-agency-rumors">willing to part with rookie center Kel’el Ware</a>.</p><p>Ware, 21, completed his first NBA season averaging 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 55.4% from the field and 31.5% from three. The 7-foot center with a 7-foot-4 wingspan is viewed as a highly valuable developmental prospect with two-way upside. Sources indicate that Phoenix sees Ware as a central piece in any potential Heat-led trade for Durant.</p><p>“To this point in negotiations, the Heat have not firmly offered Ware in a proposed package,” Siegel reported. “If Pat Riley and his front office don’t push more chips in to get Durant, a player Riley has wanted to bring to South Beach for years, they will be out, and the Suns will further their talks with the other teams interested.”</p><h2><b>Heat’s reluctance to include Kel’el Ware stalls talks as Suns seek youth, flexibility in Kevin Durant trade</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Kelel-Ware-on-April-26-2025.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Miami has reportedly put together a framework that includes Andrew Wiggins and other assets, but the absence of Ware has slowed momentum in the discussions. While Wiggins would add veteran depth and playoff experience to Phoenix’s wing rotation, the Suns are believed to be focused on acquiring young, cost-controlled talent who can grow within a restructured roster.</p><p>Durant, 36, is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract and remains one of the NBA’s most productive forwards, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 52.7% shooting from the field and 43% from three during the 2024–25 season. Despite his continued offensive output, the Suns missed the playoffs with a 36–46 record, prompting the organization to explore major changes <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-patrick-beverley-gives-phoenixs-new-coach-jordan-ott-his-flowers">under new head coach Jordan Ott</a>.</p><p>The Heat, who were swept in the first round of the playoffs after earning the No. 8 seed via the Play-In Tournament, are evaluating how to build around Bam Adebayo and their current young core. Tyler Herro, who just completed his sixth season, is under contract through 2026–27 and became a first-time All-Star in 2025. Miami also has other young contributors and tradeable contracts that could be packaged for a win-now move.</p><p>Financial considerations are also shaping the Suns’ trade goals. Sources say Phoenix is aiming to move out of the second tax apron, which may necessitate involving multiple teams in any finalized deal to absorb outgoing salary.</p><p>While Miami remains firmly in the mix, their willingness to include Ware could be the turning point in the Durant sweepstakes. If the Heat hold back, Phoenix is expected to advance discussions with other interested teams, including the Timberwolves, Rockets, and Spurs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Heat rumors: What Miami is missing in Kevin Durant trade proposal

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/nba-rumors-shams-kevin-durant-trade-game-chicken');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Shams likens Kevin Durant trade talks to a ‘game of chicken’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Durant-at-a-WNBA-game.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Shams likens Kevin Durant trade talks to a ‘game of chicken’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-19T14:41:20-07:00">June 19th, 2:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-19T14:41:20-07:00">June 19th, 2:41pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/san-antonio-spurs/nba-rumors-insider-spurs-kevin-durant-trade-pursuit">Kevin Durant sweepstakes</a> are in full swing, as the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/san-antonio-spurs/kevin-durant-trade-offer-spurs-make-suns-seal-deal">Phoenix Suns look to find</a> a landing spot for their franchise star of two and a half years. Among the rumored teams interested are the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Houston Rockets, but it remains to be seen whether any of them will reach the Suns’ hefty asking price.</p><p>Recently, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania stopped by The Pat McAfee Show and gave <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25210681-kevin-durant-trade-talks-reportedly-seen-game-chicken-amid-nba-rumors" rel="noopener">the latest update</a> on the trade talks.</p><h2><b>A big decision for the Suns</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Minnesotas-stance-amid-Kevin-Durants-disinterest.jpg"></figure><p>It’s likely that wherever the Suns end up trading Durant, the return package they get for him will be substantially less than what they gave up to acquire him midway through the 2022-23 NBA season.</p><p>At that time, the Suns gave up a package centered around Mikal Bridges and a slew of draft picks, and ended up with just one playoff series win–against the Kawhi Leonard-less Los Angeles Clippers–to show for it.</p><p>On paper, the team that many experts think would be the best landing spot for Durant from a basketball perspective is the Minnesota Timberwolves, although that team is reportedly not Durant’s preferred destination, as Charania reported.</p><p>The Suns will likely try to get a Durant deal done sooner rather than later so that newly signed head coach Jordan Ott has as much time as possible to gameplan around a roster that will almost assuredly look drastically different heading into next season.</p><p>Meanwhile, the NBA Draft is slated for June 25.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Shams likens Kevin Durant trade talks to a ‘game of chicken’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/san-antonio-spurs/nba-rumors-insider-spurs-kevin-durant-trade-pursuit');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Insider reveals limit to Spurs’ Kevin Durant trade pursuit');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Suns-superstar-Kevin-Durant.jpg"><figcaption>Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Insider reveals limit to Spurs’ Kevin Durant trade pursuit</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-19T09:50:40-07:00">June 19th, 9:50am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-19T09:50:40-07:00">June 19th, 9:50am</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The San Antonio Spurs are currently viewed as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/san-antonio-spurs/kevin-durant-trade-offer-spurs-make-suns-seal-deal">the frontrunners for Kevin Durant’s services</a> this offseason. However, there are plenty of considerations. Durant has reportedly earmarked the Spurs, the Miami Heat, and the Houston Rockets as his preferred destinations. On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns are eyeing their options and will hold out for the best possible package they can get for the 36-year-old.</p><p>Lining up Durant alongside Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox makes them automatic contenders. And while the allure of one of the best scorers in NBA history is attractive, there might be limits as to how far the Spurs are willing to go for his signature.</p><p>“Now, as you know, Dave, because you and I lived it with the Fox trade, we just saw how the Spurs had zero intention or willingness to give up anything on their roster—let alone anybody in their young core. I don’t know that that has changed all that much. The way it’s put to me: they’re not going to go all in to get Kevin,” The Athletic’s Sam Amick said, when asked about KD’s <a href="https://hoopshype.com/rumor/spurs-not-expected-to-go-all-in-for-kevin-durant/" rel="noopener">most likely destination</a>.</p><p>The Spurs sent out Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Sidy Cissoko, and multiple draft picks in the three-team trade that saw Fox arrive earlier in February. However, they were unwilling to trade away any of their young stars, something Amick believes remains true when it comes to KD as well. This becomes problematic especially as Phoenix hold out for the best package.</p><p>“My understanding is you have the list—the thing his camp chooses to leak to the media—and then you have the real stuff, which is what Kevin is telling people. And we’ve come across some of that, and there’s reason to believe he’s looking at San Antonio above the rest,” Amick said.</p><p>While Durant may prefer a move to the Spurs, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/ranking-suns-best-realistic-kevin-durant-trade-packages">much depends on how Phoenix proceeds</a>. KD is under contract with the Suns through the 2025-26 season, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent. Unable to move Bradley Beal due to a no-trade clause despite a disastrous season, the front office is looking at another rebuild after what was a disastrous campaign.</p><p>In order to do so, they are determined to get the most value out of Durant, which means the player continues to have limited say in where he will end up for next season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Insider reveals limit to Spurs’ Kevin Durant trade pursuit

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/nba-rumors-nets-involved-timberwolves-suns-kevin-durant-trade-talks');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Nets got involved in Timberwolves-Suns Kevin Durant trade talks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Durant-vs-the-Nets.jpg"><figcaption>John Jones-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Nets got involved in Timberwolves-Suns Kevin Durant trade talks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-18T10:28:15-07:00">June 18th, 10:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-18T10:28:15-07:00">June 18th, 10:28am</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Phoenix Suns are widely expected to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-rumors-why-brian-windhorst-wont-rule-out-kevin-durant-not-getting-traded">trade star small forward Kevin Durant</a> at some point in the next few weeks, with the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs reported as potential landing spots. While many have speculated that Durant might fit best <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/nba-rumors-timberwolves-playing-hardball-in-kevin-durant-trade">with the Minnesota Timberwolves</a>, the star reportedly has no interest in going there, per Shams Charania of ESPN.</p><p>Recently, NBA insider Matt Moore of the Hardwood Paroxysm Substack reported on <a href="https://hardwoodparoxysm.substack.com/p/the-best-of-bad-options-for-the-suns?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=3283378&amp;post_id=166128358&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">a third team</a> that offered to help out in a potential Durant to Minnesota deal.</p><p>“League sources have said the Nets were brought in as a potential third-team in a deal construct, which would have helped move money and contracts to help both teams reshape their rosters. (No idea what they were getting or sending, but I would speculatively bet Nic Claxton to Phoenix was part of those talks.)” reported Moore.</p><p>The Nets of course were Durant’s team from 2019-2023, at which point they traded him to the Suns for a haul that figures to be much more valuable than what the Suns are going to get when they deal him this summer.</p><h2><b>A strange decision from KD</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Suns-forward-Kevin-Durant-35-looks-on-against-the-Bulls.jpg"><figcaption>Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>In theory, Durant’s fit on the Timberwolves would seem to make the most sense out of any of the teams listed as potential trade destinations.</p><p>Durant would have a clear role as a co-star to Anthony Edwards, and he wouldn’t have to expend too much energy on defense with Minnesota’s talent on that end of the floor.</p><p>Durant has also shown throughout his career that he has no problem joining up with teams that recently defeated him in the postseason, as the Timberwolves did in 2024.</p><p>However, Durant “sent out word that he doesn’t want to play there,” according to Moore.</p><p>It remains to be seen which of the remaining candidates will give the Suns the best package for Durant, but as previously noted, it’s likely to be substantially less than what the team gave up to get him midway through the 2022-23 season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Nets got involved in Timberwolves-Suns Kevin Durant trade talks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/nba-rumors-timberwolves-playing-hardball-in-kevin-durant-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Timberwolves playing hardball in Kevin Durant trade talks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Kevin-Durant-35-dribbles-against-Minnesota-Timberwolves-guard-Anthony-Edwards-5.jpg"><figcaption>© Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Timberwolves playing hardball in Kevin Durant trade talks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-18T09:28:51-07:00">June 18th, 9:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-18T09:28:51-07:00">June 18th, 9:28am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Timberwolves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/indiana-pacers/pacers-news-rick-carlisle-likely-tyrese-haliburton-injury-status-nba-finals-game-6">2025 NBA Finals near a potential conclusion Thursday night with Game 6</a>, trade rumors surrounding Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant continue to intensify. One of the latest developments involves the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are reportedly <a href="https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1935331350526955531" rel="noopener">taking a firm stance</a> in discussions with Phoenix.</p><p>According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-rumors-minnesotas-stance-amid-kevin-durants-disinterest">Minnesota is unwilling to commit to a significant trade package</a> unless Durant signals a clear interest in joining the Timberwolves. On Wednesday, Amick reported the franchise is standing by that condition.</p><p>“Minnesota is not gonna play ball until they get signal Kevin wants to play there,” Amick wrote.</p><p>This sentiment echoes a Tuesday report from Amick and Timberwolves beat writer Jon Krawczynski, which outlined the delicate nature of the trade talks and both teams’ respective positions.</p><p>“The Suns have made it clear to Durant’s camp that they need to prioritize the best return for the team in a deal,” the report stated. “What’s more, they appear focused on landing the kind of impact players who can help now, as opposed to prioritizing draft picks.”</p><p>Phoenix’s current trade strategy centers on maximizing Durant’s value by targeting players who can contribute immediately, rather than entering a rebuilding phase centered on future assets. In that context, Minnesota is viewed as a viable trade partner due to its depth and win-now roster.</p><h2><b>Timberwolves resist major roster shakeup without Kevin Durant’s commitment amid Suns’ high demands</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kevin-Durant-during-Suns-Timberwolves-2024-NBA-playoffs-series.jpg"><figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Names floated in connection with a potential Timberwolves package include Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle, the latter likely as part of a broader multi-team construction. Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, remains under contract and could appeal to the Suns as a frontcourt anchor alongside Bradley Beal and Devin Booker.</p><p>However, despite their potential to meet Phoenix’s return criteria, the Timberwolves remain cautious. Sources close to the team indicate that Minnesota does not want to disrupt the core of a roster that reached the Western Conference Finals unless Durant is fully aligned with the move.</p><p>With <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-shams-claims-heat-rockets-piece-or-2-away-kevin-durant-trade">offers from the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat reportedly falling short</a> of Phoenix’s expectations, league sources say the Suns are still holding out hope that Durant may warm to the idea of Minnesota as a destination.</p><p>Durant, 36, averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists during the 2024–25 season, shooting 52.7% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc. He is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, worth $54.7 million.</p><p>The Timberwolves, led by rising star Anthony Edwards and a deep supporting cast, are seeking to build on their postseason breakthrough. But internal consensus remains firm: unless Durant expresses a clear desire to join, Minnesota will not mortgage its future or overhaul its conference finalist roster.</p><p>As Phoenix weighs its options, all eyes are on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-rumors-kevin-durant-no-desire-play-minnesota">whether Durant signals openness to a Timberwolves partnership</a> — or whether another suitor will meet the Suns’ steep demands.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Timberwolves playing hardball in Kevin Durant trade talks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-rumors-why-brian-windhorst-wont-rule-out-kevin-durant-not-getting-traded');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns rumors: Why Brian Windhorst ‘won’t rule out’ Kevin Durant not getting traded');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kevin-Durant-5.jpg"><figcaption>Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Suns rumors: Why Brian Windhorst ‘won’t rule out’ Kevin Durant not getting traded</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-18T07:33:38-07:00">June 18th, 7:33am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-18T07:33:38-07:00">June 18th, 7:33am</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Phoenix <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-suns-demanding-spurs-kevin-durant-trade">Suns are still searching for the perfect trade</a> offer for Kevin Durant, as teams are lining up to acquire the star. Though Durant listed some teams that may be interested in him, the Suns are still doing their due diligence and trying to find the best offer that they like.</p><p>It doesn’t seem like the Suns would just make a move to make one, especially if none of the <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/06/17/sports/espn-insider-would-not-rule-out-suns-keeping-kevin-durant/" rel="noopener">offers were enticing</a>, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst went out on a limb saying they could keep Durant.</p><p>“I would not rule out the Suns not being able to get a trade they like and having to make a decision — like, do we not trade him at all,” Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland.</p><p>Windhorst noted that there may not be alignment between the Suns, Durant, and other suitors, and the team may ultimately keep him on the team. With all the trade noise surrounding Durant, it doesn’t seem like that could be an option, and the best thing to do is just keep waiting throughout the offseason to see who ends up sweetening their offer. At the same time, the Suns don’t have any leverage, so a team isn’t just going to keep adding assets.</p><h2><b>Suns have no leverage in Kevin Durant trade talks</b></h2><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/nba-rumors-suns-hit-with-no-leverage-reality-in-kevin-durant-trade-talks">Suns want the best offer they can get</a> for Durant, but it may not be that easy for them, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.</p><p>“The Suns have ‘no leverage’ in part because of Durant’s age and because he wants to start fresh elsewhere, league sources say. The idea of Kevin Durant returning to a team that entertained deals for him before the 2025 trade deadline isn’t a pleasant one,” Rankin wrote.</p><p>The three teams that Durant prefers to be traded to are the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs. All three of these teams could put together enticing offers for Durant, but there are also some other teams outside of his list that have put in offers. The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the teams that are trying to trade for Durant, but there have been rumors that he doesn’t want to go there. Nonetheless, if the Suns like what they’re offering, he may not have a choice.</p><p>A few days ago, it felt like a trade could get done sooner rather than later, but this may be something that gets dragged out.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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