NBA Rumors: According to a recent report, the Indiana Pacers could blow up the Phoenix Suns’ chances at landing Kevin Durant.
It’s been roughly a week since Kevin Durant made it clear to the Brooklyn Nets that he no longer wanted to be with the team and that he wanted to be traded to either the Phoenix Suns or Miami Heat.
So far, there hasn’t been much traction in terms of a deal toward either team. Or at least not of the reported substance. Nevertheless, there is one team – not named the Suns or Heat – that can throw a huge wrench in the KD sweepstakes.
That’s the Indiana Pacers, who are reportedly interested in signing Deandre Ayton to an offer sheet. Should they do so, it could completely destroy the Suns’ logical chances of landing Durant anytime soon.
The Pacers are interested in signing Deandre Ayton to an offer sheet or even negotiating a sign-and-trade involving Myles Turner, per @WindhorstESPN.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 7, 2022
"But holding everything up is the Suns' negotiations for Kevin Durant. ... Ayton may have to move on and do his own deal." pic.twitter.com/cSciehuI1p
Ayton singing with the Pacers would make it extremely difficult for the Suns to land Durant in any trade, not to mention that Ayton would probably represent the best asset – not named Devin Booker or Chris Paul – that the team has on its roster.
With whispers that the KD sweepstakes can linger into training camp, it’s easy to see why. If the Suns are theoretically eliminated from the bidding war, I’m not sure where this KD situation goes next.
The Miami Heat would be the natural next possible landing spot, but they simply don’t have the necessary assets that would appease the Nets at the moment. Short of getting a third, fourth, or even a fifth team involved, I’m not sure how Durant is going to find his way to one of his preferred destinations.
Nevertheless, this situation is certainly something to keep an eye on. And, it’s beginning to look like Durant may not be traded for a while. For better or worse.