The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns are unlikely to become trade partners this summer.
The Lakers need a center, and the Suns’ aging superstar, Kevin Durant, has been involved in trade rumors with franchises like the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks.
Still, Sports Illustrated’s Rohan Roman is optimistic that Durant could land with the Lakers in a massive three-team blockbuster trade.
“There's no question that a starting lineup of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Dorian Finney-Smith and Kevin Durant should finish the year as one of the five best offenses in basketball,” Raman wrote Sunday.
“Four of those players are capable of generating their own offense, and all of them are good passers as well. Although Durant isn't a true center, he's almost seven feet tall and can go up against centers at times should the situation call for it.”
“Despite his age, he hasn't declined much as a scorer. Last season, KD averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 52.7/43/83.9 shooting splits.”
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“He is going to be 37 years old by the time next season starts, but it is clear to see how he could open the floor up even more for Luka and LeBron to operate due to the respect he demands as a shooter.”
Raman’s trade proposal sends Royce O'Neale, and a 2026 second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and a 2031 first-round pick to the Suns, and Durant and Ryan Dunn to the Lakers.
Durant is a future Hall of Fame 6-foot-11 forward.
In addition to winning two NBA championships and two NBA Finals MVP awards, the pure bucket-getter received 15 All-Star nods and scored over 30,000 points. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that Durant's tenure with the Suns has been a miserable one.
The former Oklahoma City Thunder superstar has failed to guide the Suns to a Western Conference Finals appearance since joining the franchise in 2023, which is likely to lead to an ugly split in free agency.
A trade to the Lakers could help Durant end his illustrious career on a positive note.
Los Angeles’s big man issue wouldn’t disappear with the acquisition of Durant. However, there’s a strong possibility that the organization could hide that weakness if their four stars (Durant, Reaves, Doncic, and James) hypothetically perform at an exceptionally high level.
Keep an eye out for a potential offseason trade involving Durant, the Lakers, and the Suns.
More NBA: Knicks predicted to swap All-Star center for two-time NBA Finals MVP via four-team trade