The Phoenix Suns are reportedly holding off on making Kevin Durant available on the trade market until there is clarity regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks.
According to Marc Stein, while the expectation persists that Durant will eventually be traded this offseason, Phoenix is taking a strategic approach—waiting until Antetokounmpo either commits to Milwaukee or formally requests a trade.
Kevin Durant Must Wait for Giannis Antetokounmpo Outcome?
This calculated delay is designed to capitalize on the market dynamics surrounding the two-time MVP. Teams with significant trade assets are expected to prioritize a run at Antetokounmpo first.
Should those efforts fall short, Durant becomes the immediate fallback—a scenario that could elevate his trade value. The Suns are positioning themselves to extract maximum return by letting the market for Giannis play out first.
Durant, 36, remains one of the NBA’s most efficient scorers, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 52.7 percent shooting from the field, 43.0 percent from three, and 83.9 percent from the line in 62 games during the 2024–25 season.
While his MVP days may be behind him, his ability to elevate a contender keeps his value high, especially for teams looking to make a splash after missing out on Antetokounmpo.
Why Giannis Antetokounmpo Comes First
Antetokounmpo is under contract with Milwaukee through at least the 2026–27 season, with a player option the following year. Still, for the first time in his career, he’s reportedly “open-minded” about a potential change of scenery.
While Antetokounmpo is considering his options, no formal trade request has been made. This uncertainty has fueled speculation around the league, with teams such as the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets believed to be closely monitoring the situation.
If the Bucks do make Antetokounmpo available, the return would be substantial, likely including top-tier prospects, draft capital, and established contributors.
For teams preparing blockbuster offers, Giannis remains the top priority. But once his situation is resolved, those same teams could pivot quickly toward Durant.
The Suns, recognizing that window, are choosing to wait. It’s a calculated move designed to give them leverage in negotiations, particularly with contenders who may feel pressured to act.
What It Means for the Phoenix Suns
The Rockets and Spurs have already been linked to Durant, and their level of interest could escalate depending on how the Giannis saga unfolds.
Both teams have the assets to put together competitive offers, and both could view Durant as the final piece to elevate young rosters into playoff or title contention.
Phoenix, meanwhile, appears poised for a larger organizational reset. Following a disappointing season that ended without a playoff berth and led to the dismissal of head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Suns are nearing a coaching decision and preparing for a roster overhaul.
Trading Durant—at the right time—could be a significant piece of that transformation.
By waiting on Antetokounmpo’s decision, the Suns are attempting to time the market, not chase it. The result could reshape not just Phoenix’s future but the NBA’s landscape as a whole.
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