This 2024-25 NBA season featured the most chaotic and dramatic trade deadline in the league's history. For a while there, it seemed like the New Orleans Pelicans might be the most active team on the market. They came into the deadline equipped with several high-profile players available for trade and practically had a mandate to find a deal for All-Star wing Brandon Ingram.
On top of that, it was heavily suggested that it could be an extremely quiet ordeal for the rest of the association, due to the parity in the NBA and the new league economy with the dreaded second apron. Instead, we saw a 25-year-old perennial MVP candidate traded at the beginning of his prime without warning.
The Dallas Mavericks obviously took the cake for the most shocking deal when they sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a package featuring Anthony Davis. But, they weren't the only stars to change teams. Jimmy Butler, De'Aaron Fox, Zach LaVine, and, of course, Brandon Ingram also found new homes, among others. Somehow, no former MVPs were moved, but the Phoenix Suns reportedly tried to trade Kevin Durant. Because of that, they might be forced to deal him this summer, and the Pelicans have everything they need to give Phoenix an offer they can't refuse.
The New Orleans Pelicans have everything the Phoenix Suns want for Kevin Durant
Ahead of the deadline, the Suns were reportedly in talks to trade Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors, one of his former teams. Apparently, KD caught wind of the discussions and shut them down, expressing his explicit disinterest in reuniting with the Dubs. Phoenix was also considering a deal to send him to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but nothing of substance came of it.
Between the Suns' struggles this season, their dearth of assets, and Durant's reported displeasure with Phoenix's failed attempts to trade him earlier this year, it's looking increasingly likely that we'll see KD moved again this summer. According to The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin, the Suns' ideal return for any Durant trade would be three total first-round picks and a young player as part of a three-team deal that would also bring Phoenix under the second apron.
New Orleans has control of all of its own future first-round picks, swap rights with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2026, and an additional first-rounder in 2026 via the Indiana Pacers, thanks to the Ingram trade. They also have young players to spare between Herb Jones, Jordan Hawkins, Yves Missi, Brandon Boston Jr., and Karlo Matkovic. Furthermore, the Pelicans have plenty of contracts to match Durant's salary next year. Finding a third team will be the most difficult part of any potential trade for Kevin Durant. They could even afford to go above Phoenix's demands to ensure that they aren't outbid.