Nets-Pacers-Suns Trade Unlikely Involving Durant, Ayton, Turner

NBA Trade Rumors
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Rumors about where Kevin Durant could end up have dominated NBA news headlines since he requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Until a deal is done, that will continue to be a major topic of discussion.

Durant is one of the best players to ever step on a basketball court and this trade could be historic. The Nets are looking for a huge trade package in return for him and rightfully so. Players like Durant rarely become available for trade.

Thus far, over half of the NBA has engaged the Brooklyn Nets in some level of trade discussions centered around Durant. However, should Durant have things his way, he will end up with the Phoenix Suns or Miami Heat; those are the two teams that have been mentioned as his preferred landing spot.

The Suns have emerged as the favorites to land him in a trade, but it will not be easy to acquire him. Their best trade piece is restricted free agent Deandre Ayton.

LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant Trade Wish-List: Phoenix Suns No. 1, Miami Heat No. 2

A three-team deal involving the Indiana Pacers has also been floated around, but as Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report shared, it is an unlikely three-team trade.

“If Ayton signs into Indiana’s cap space, that could actually impact Durant’s trade request. Even an Ayton sign-and-trade to Indiana would complicate the cleanest path for Phoenix to acquire Durant—Ayton’s free agency. In that scenario, it’s unlikely that Phoenix and Indiana could create a combined package that would entice Brooklyn to part with Durant.

LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant Trade Wish-List: Phoenix Suns No. 1, Miami Heat No. 2

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner has not generated significant traction on the trade market this offseason, sources said. A theoretical trade return of Turner, multiple Suns wings and draft capital still wouldn’t appear to satisfy the Nets, according to sources.”

Brooklyn is looking to acquire All-Star-level players and as many draft picks as possible. In that hypothetical deal mentioned by Fischer, Brooklyn isn’t getting an All-Star as the Phoenix wings are some combination of Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder. All of them are solid players, as is Turner, but they don’t quite meet the Brooklyn Nets’ asking price.

LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant Trade Wish-List: Phoenix Suns No. 1, Miami Heat No. 2

The draft capital from those teams, especially any picks coming from Indiana, would have a lot of value as the Indiana Pacers are rebuilding. But it is hard to imagine them surrendering more than one as they are presumably only coming away with Ayton in this proposed deal.

The Suns and Durant may have a mutual interest in joining together, but Phoenix will certainly have their work cut out for them in trade negotiations. Brooklyn is in no rush to deal him and unless they get exactly what they are looking for, they have no incentive to trade Durant away.

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