On April 24, Beijing time, the Suns lost 0-2 to the Timberwolves. If the Suns are eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, the American media predicts that multiple teams will inquire about Durant this summer. In the two seasons that Durant joined the Suns, he averaged 27.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 42.2% from three-point range, maintaining a good form. Last season, the Suns lost to the Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals, and if they can't make it past the first round this season, the 37-year-old Durant may consider a new team. Currently, Durant has 2 seasons left on his contract and has some trade value.
If Durant enters the trade market, teams including the Rockets, Lakers, Thunder, Bucks, Warriors, Magic, and others are interested in acquiring the all-time top 3 scorer. Among them, the advantage of the Rockets is that they have multiple young players and expiring contracts, as well as multiple future first-round picks. For the Rockets, except for Jalen Green and Amen Thompson, the rest of the players can be traded. If the Rockets send the likes of Shin Jing, Eason, Whitmore, Landale, Jeff Green, Tate and Brooks, as well as the first round in 2024, 2028 and 2030, then the Suns are likely to be willing to send Durant.
The Rockets could form a starting lineup of Adams, Smith, Durant, Jalen Green and VanVleet, with Amen Thompson as the team's sixth man. With Durant's appeal in the free agent market and helping the Rockets add several veterans, the Rockets are more competitive than the current Suns. If the Rockets don't make any changes, the West will be more competitive next season, and the Rockets will still need to make the play-in tournament.