According to the most recent report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns-Kevin Durant trade sweepstakes was intended to be the main focus of the 2025 summer. Giannis Antetokounmpo is “open-minded” about leaving Milwaukee, according to the NBA insider’s report on Monday.
In the playoffs, the Pacers defeated the Bucks in the opening round for the second year in a row. For the third time in three seasons, Milwaukee was eliminated in the first round. Giannis and the Bucks have struggled with injuries in the postseason the last two seasons, but that didn’t make the early exits any less disappointing.
The Bucks have advanced to the second round once since Antetokounmpo led the team to its first-ever NBA championship in 2021. Before the 2023–24 season, the front staff made a big move by sending Damian Lillard to Portland in exchange for Jrue Holiday. Holiday won a championship in his first season with the Celtics after Boston acquired him from Portland. Milwaukee has nothing to show for its time with Dame, in the meanwhile.
Teams had been waiting for things to go wrong with Giannis in Wisconsin, hiding in the shadows. Although the NBA offseason has not yet officially started, it is already looking like Giannis’ summer rather than Durant’s.
Rumors about a Giannis move could rule the NBA offseason.
Due to their lack of draft assets and financial flexibility, the Suns must get Durant for the highest feasible price. Before the deadline, Charania said that a number of teams were interested in KD. If Giannis decides to leave Milwaukee, some of those teams may turn their focus to him.
How would Phoenix be affected by that? To begin with, there would be less interest in the Durant trade. In the worst situation for the Suns, the Giannis trade sweepstakes would drag on, which would make it take longer for a KD deal to materialize than Phoenix would prefer. The Suns would be better off completing a Durant trade as soon as possible.
What the franchise gave up for Durant in 2023 will never be recouped by Phoenix, but if Giannis negotiations take over the summer, it may receive much less than anticipated. When Lillard asked for a trade, do you recall how long it took for one to form?
Brian Gregory should be prepared to handle any difficulties that may arise with dealing KD this summer. Fans are concerned about his lack of significant front office experience in the NBA. If he manages a Durant trade this summer, he can help allay those worries.