Potential landing spots for Kevin Durant continue to emerge, with rumors that the two-time NBA champion could be on the move this summer getting louder by the day.
The Phoenix Suns have been a disappointment and many expect team owner Mat Ishbia and GM James Jones to end the Big 3 experiment in the offseason and go in a different direction. With Bradley Beal having a no-trade clause and Ishbia recently saying that Devin Booker is off-limits, all signs point to KD as the odd man out.
Despite his age, a few teams have shown interest in acquiring the superstar forward. The Los Angeles Lakers are undoubtedly one of them, even though Matt Barnes doubts that will happen.
“What would you have to give up for that?” asked Barnes. “You’d have to give up AR and before you give up AR, I think he’s shown you that white boy magic on that Laker team is strong right now. You got Knecht. You throw in Luka in that category even though he’s got a little pigment in him.
Future Big 3?
Austin Reaves has blossomed into one of the best players in the league under JJ Redick this season. Although he already showed promise in previous years, Redick has turned Reaves into a 20-point scorer who also alternates as the third playmaker on a team with two of the greatest passers ever, LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Austin has also built great chemistry, starting alongside Luka. Throw in rookie Dalton Knecht, who has been making the most of his second chance with the Lakers — he was part of the rescinded Mark Williams trade — but since his return, he’s shown that he is more than just a stand-still 3-point shooter.
“And Knecht is one of those rare four-year college guys that came in, was ready to play right away,” added Barnes. “I don’t see him (Durant) going to the Lakers.
Reaves has been the subject of trade rumors many times. Earlier this season, the Lakers were rumored to be looking for a third star to pair with LeBron and Anthony Davis. AR was linked to potential trades involving guys like Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, De’Aaron Fox, Walker Kessler and Myles Turner. However, the organization refused to include him in any package.
Forbes contributor Evan Sidery recently posted the details of a potential KD trade with the Lakers on X. According to him, the salaries of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Max Kleber and Reaves would match the money KD makes with the Suns. The Lakers can also throw in draft capital to a potential deal since they got back their picks when the Williams trade was rescinded.
Still, if they did not give up Reaves for a younger star earlier this season, there is no logic in surrendering him for a soon-to-be 37-year-old version of Durant.
Especially now that they have Doncic on the roster — planning long-term seems to make more sense for Rob Pelinka and Co.
