The Phoenix Suns faced a tough decision as Kevin Durant‘s departure loomed, but they aimed to control the terms of the trade before parting ways with the two-time NBA Finals MVP. During an interview with The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Suns governor Mat Ishbia revealed how the organization shifted focus away from the failed superteam that included Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker.
When the Houston Rockets showed interest in Durant, Ishbia made it clear that Phoenix was pursuing Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks in return, and they refused to accept anything less.
Intentional Targeting of Key Players in Trade Negotiations
For the Suns, this trade was about more than just salary matching or filling roster spots. Ishbia emphasized,
“Those are the two players we wanted. It wasn’t, ‘Hey, how do we fill a salary with these numbers?’”
He added,
“It was, ‘In order to have Kevin Durant on your team, I want Dillon Brooks to help me with my culture and my identity. I want Jalen Green as a 23-year-old up-and-coming leading scorer. You’re gonna get a Hall of Fame player.’ And then we obviously negotiate draft picks involved with it as well. But Dilllon Brooks was targeted, just like Jalen Green was targeted. …The Kevin Durant trade turned out to be everything we wanted it to be — and then some.”
Competing Offers and Last-Minute Trade Developments
As the 2025 trade deadline approached, rumors circulated around several potential destinations for Durant. The Golden State Warriors were strongly associated with the deal, but Durant expressed hesitation about returning to the Bay Area. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets intensified their efforts when general manager Rafael Stone contacted the Suns’ leadership at 4 a.m. local time on deadline day to initiate serious talks.
Although the Rockets persisted, Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein noted,
“It wasn’t the right package. It wasn’t as good as the package we got,”
adding,
“That was the really hard part for me and Mat at that time.”
Impact and Challenges Following the Trade
Holding onto Durant until the trade deadline created challenges for Phoenix, leading to a 36-46 record and a missed playoff berth. The uncertainty surrounding Durant’s future cast a shadow over the team’s entire season, fueling wide speculation that he would soon leave. Yet, this turbulence may prove beneficial in the long run.
Since the trade, Jalen Green has been limited to just seven games, but Dillon Brooks quickly emerged as a key player, averaging 21.2 points and energizing the Suns’ team spirit with his aggressive play. Although Phoenix is not yet considered a serious championship threat, securing a playoff spot could set the foundation for future success.
