NBA Trade Rumors: Suns turned down $109,000,002 former champion and first-round pick for Kevin Durant 

Barry Jackson @flashsportsbuzz

Per source with direct knowledge, Heat was willing to offer Wiggins, Rozier, Highsmith, Jaquez and 20th pick in June’s draft for Durant & Cody Martin. Per Shams, Suns wanted Jaquez, Jović, Highsmith, 20th pick and a pick swap (as well as Wiggins/Rozier inclusion). SO…Jovic and Kasparas J. need to work out for justify the decision, which was a difficult one for Heat to reach.

Trending

The trade was centered around former NBA champion Andrew Wiggins, who has two years left on his $109,000,002 contract. While the Suns wanted him included either way, the stumbling block was Phoenix's demand for Nikola Jovic and a pick swap.

The Suns wanted to add younger pieces in any deal for Kevin Durant and retool the roster around Devin Booker. It worked out with 23-year-old Jalen Green and 18-year-old Khaman Maluach. Meanwhile, the Suns also traded for 23-year-old Mark Williams in a separate deal, confirming their roster-building strategy.

Suns owner Mat Ishbia wants to do things his own way after Kevin Durant trade

Mat Ishbia's first two years as the Phoenix Suns' owner haven't gone as planned. He's been ambitious, to say the least. He didn't flinch when trading for Kevin Durant in 2023 to make a statement, moving on from key role pieces like Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.

The next offseason, he acquired Bradley Beal, mortgaging the Suns' future to build a win-now situation. However, none of the moves were ideal, as Phoenix lost in the first round in 2024 and failed to make the playoffs last year. Ishbia's involvement and judgment have been questioned, but the $8.6 billion man is unfazed by the noise surrounding his decision-making.

On Friday, Ishbia maintained that he will be influential in the Suns and the Mercury's roster decisions. He said on Thursday on the Southwest Bias show:

"If people don’t want me involved they’re not gonna want to cheer for the Suns or Mercury because now I’m involved. … I’m gonna do it the way I believe"

The Suns have adopted a new approach after Mat Ishbia's flashy choices in his first two seasons. They are building a young core and a well-balanced team to support franchise centerpiece Devin Booker.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback

About the author

Arhaan Raje

Arhaan Raje is an Assistant Content Manager and Senior Writer with Sportskeeda's NBA/WNBA team with four years of experience.

Arhaan focuses on features, trends, listicles, and the latest rumors and reports circling the league's top teams and players. He emphasizes detailed research to create impactful content for readers. A fan of Xs and Os, Arhaan provides technical deep dives in his reporting.

Arhaan completed his bachelor's degree in BBA in Media and Entertainment Management from Mumbai, India.

Arhaan admires the killer mentality of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. He respects LeBron James for being a role model on and off the court. The bold and decisive Gregg Popovich stands out as Arhaan's favorite basketball coach. LeBron's epic chase-down block in the 2016 NBA Finals has a special place in Arhaan's basketball memories.

He has interviewed former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Gary Payton and Ronnie 2K, the face of NBA2k and Marketing Director.

Sports isn't the only passion he has pursued professionally. Arhaan is also into performing arts in the music industry as a percussionist.

Know More