NBA Trade Rumors: Teams Weren't Interested in Suns' 'Massive' Demands for Durant at Deadline

We know that the Phoenix Suns shockingly put Kevin Durant on the trade block at the deadline back in February, surprising even KD himself. But while one of the reasons he wasn't dealt is that he put the kibosh on a potential deal with his old team, the Golden State Warriors, we're now hearing that another reason is the ask that the Suns put out there.

ESPN insider Brian Windhorst says that the Suns wanted a "massive haul" for him, that other teams were not up to.

One of the reasons there wasn't a Durant trade in February -- other than Durant himself making it clear he didn't want one -- is the Suns were looking for a massive haul in return, per sources.

Windhorst does not think that Phoenix will get that, however, when they go back out to the trade market with Durant this summer. He cites the two-year, $120 million extension that KD will want upon arrival at a new team as something that will scare off many suitors—especially the contending type.

"Teams that will want Durant will be title contenders who generally have high payrolls already," writes Windhorst. "If the Suns arrive at a crossroads where they have to move Durant, they might have to make a decision between getting what they want, which is a beautiful package of players and draft capital, and settling for what they need, which is flexibility."

He then goes on to hold up the LA Clippers as a shining example of the course that Phoenix should follow. They chose cap flexibility last summer by letting Paul George go to Philadelphia to sign a massive contract with them. That strategy has served them well, as it allowed them to bring in a couple of key contributing members of the rotation that they otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford, in Derrick Jones Jr. (on a three-year, $30 million free agent deal), and Bogdan Bogdanovic (in a trade at the deadline).

Windhorst says the Suns should look long and hard at that example set by the Clippers.

As for potential suitors, we learned last week that there are 5 interested teams with whom Durant has mutual interest.