With just three weeks left in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the Phoenix Suns are teetering on the edge of the playoffs, tied with the Dallas Mavericks at 33-37 for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. For a team that started the year with championship aspirations, it’s been a brutal fall, and if the Suns can’t make a deep playoff run—or even make the postseason at all—Kevin Durant might be on his way out. The Atlanta Hawks, looking to pair Trae Young with a superstar, could be the perfect trade partner to give Durant a fresh start and the Suns a chance to retool. Let’s break down why this move makes sense for both sides.
The Suns’ season has been a mess, and Durant’s future in Phoenix looks shakier by the day. The team’s “Big Three” of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal has flopped hard—despite Durant’s stellar play, averaging 26.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 52.1% shooting at age 36. Tensions have been simmering, with recent heated moments between Durant and head coach Mike Budenholzer, including a timeout where Durant slapped Budenholzer’s hand away, caught on camera during a March 16 loss to the Lakers. Posts on X have fueled speculation, with some fans saying Durant’s “done” with the Suns and should “kick his feet up” to find a new team this summer. The Suns are committed to Budenholzer and Booker, the face of the franchise at 28, while Beal’s no-trade clause and $50 million-plus annual salary make him nearly unmovable. That leaves Durant as the odd man out if Phoenix wants to shake things up.
Durant’s frustration isn’t new—he was reportedly upset when the Suns shopped him at the February 6 trade deadline, with his camp feeling blindsided by the talks. The team explored deals with the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and even the Memphis Grizzlies, but Durant made it clear he didn’t want to leave, particularly not for Golden State. Now, with the Suns at 33-37 and a toxic locker room vibe—described as “toxic” by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne—the writing’s on the wall. Phoenix’s roster is top-heavy, lacking depth and athleticism, and their $198.1 million payroll (projected for next season) keeps them over the second apron, limiting their flexibility. Trading Durant, who’s in the final year of his contract in 2025-26 at $54.7 million, could net the Suns assets to rebuild around Booker while shedding salary. Reports from The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin suggest the Suns want three first-round picks and a young player in any Durant deal, a steep but fair price for a future Hall of Famer still playing at an elite level.
Enter the Atlanta Hawks, who’ve long been rumored to be in the market for a star to pair with Trae Young. The Hawks are 35-35, sitting seventh in the East, and while they’re playoff-bound, they’re not seen as true contenders—yet. A source close to the team told Sports Illustrated in February that Atlanta was interested in Durant at the trade deadline, and the fit makes sense. Young, averaging 26.8 points and 10.9 assists this season, is a dynamic playmaker who’d thrive with Durant’s scoring prowess. Durant’s ability to create his own shot—shooting 40.8% from three this year—would draw defensive attention, opening up the floor for Young and Jalen Johnson, who’s emerged as a two-way force with 19.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Add in Dyson Daniels, a defensive standout at guard, and the Hawks would have a versatile, well-rounded core capable of making noise in the East.
For the Hawks to land Durant, they’d likely have to part with Zaccharie Risacher, their No. 1 overall pick from the 2024 draft. Risacher, a 19-year-old forward, has shown promise defensively but struggled offensively, averaging 11.9 points and 1.2 assists on 41.2% shooting. He’s not lived up to “first overall” expectations, and Atlanta might see him as expendable for a proven star like Durant. Risacher would be a solid get for the Suns, offering long-term potential as a 6’9” wing with defensive upside to grow alongside Booker. The Hawks could also include players like Clint Capela or Larry Nance Jr. to match salaries—both are on expiring deals in 2025-26, per Spotrac—along with draft picks. Atlanta’s draft capital is thin after the Dejounte Murray trade in 2021, which sent their 2025 and 2027 first-rounders to the Spurs, but they could offer a 2026 pick swap (if they get it back in another deal) or future seconds to sweeten the pot.
For Durant, a move to Atlanta could be his last shot at a title. The Hawks aren’t the San Antonio Spurs, who’ve been linked to Durant with their young core of Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, or the Oklahoma City Thunder, where Bleacher Report suggested he could return to reunite with his old franchise. But Atlanta offers a clear path to contention in the East, where the gap between the top teams (Boston, Milwaukee) and the rest is narrower than in the West. Durant’s addition would make the Hawks a legitimate threat, especially with Young’s playmaking and Johnson’s two-way play. For the Suns, trading Durant for Risacher and picks lets them pivot to a younger, more flexible roster while staying competitive with Booker.
The Suns’ season isn’t over, but the clock’s ticking. If they miss the playoffs or flame out early, Durant’s trade request feels inevitable—he’s not here to waste his twilight years on a .500 team. The Hawks, hungry to go all-in, could be the perfect landing spot to give KD one last championship run while Phoenix starts fresh. This offseason might just bring the blockbuster we’ve all been waiting for.
