As the Thunder continue to build around their young core, they might be in the perfect position to make a bold move. With plenty of assets and cap flexibility, Oklahoma City could look to make a splash by targeting one of the Suns ' star players.
Imagine the Thunder surprising the league with a massive offer for Kevin Durant. At 36 years old, and with the Suns lacking future first-round picks, they could be tempted by such a deal.
Note: This hypothetical trade would only work if the Suns move Jusuf Nurkic or Grayson Allen to free up cap space and stay under the first apron, allowing them more trade flexibility.
Mock Trade
Thunder receive: Kevin Durant
Suns receive: Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic, 2025 First-Round Pick (Clippers), 2025 First-Round Pick (Jazz), 2027 First-Round Pick (Clippers), 2028 First-Round Pick
A Crazy Return For The Struggling Suns
The Suns, after a rough 2023-24 season, found themselves swept by the Timberwolves in the first round, raising questions about their direction. Kevin Durant’s future with the team has become a topic of speculation , and a major trade could help reshape their roster. In this scenario, the Thunder offer an intriguing package to bring Durant back to OKC, which could be a win for both sides.
The trade would send Durant to the Thunder in exchange for Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Nikola Topic, alongside several valuable draft picks. Lu Dort, known for his elite defense, averaged 10.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and shot 39.4% from three last season. His ability to lock down perimeter players would fill a gap in the Suns’ defensive structure, something they lacked in their playoff collapse.
Jalen Williams continues to rise as one of the Thunder’s most promising players, posting 19.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season. Williams would give the Suns a versatile wing player who can guard multiple positions and score efficiently.
What makes this deal even more appealing for the Suns are the draft picks, especially those from the Clippers in 2025 and 2027. With Kawhi Leonard sidelined and Paul George no longer on the team after leaving in free agency, the Clippers' future looks bleak, making those picks highly valuable for a Suns team looking to retool and stay competitive.
For the Thunder, reuniting with Durant could be a masterstroke. Durant, despite his age, averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 75 games during the 2023-24 season, proving he’s still one of the league’s top scorers. Pairing Durant with OKC’s young stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren could make them instant contenders in the West.
Both teams benefit from this hypothetical deal. The Suns get younger, deeper, and more flexible, while the Thunder take a shot at fast-tracking their rebuild with a proven superstar to lead their promising roster.
Kevin Durant’s Comeback Could Be Historic For OKC
The Thunder’s rise in 2024 was nothing short of remarkable. They finished as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with 57 wins, becoming the youngest team to do so, with an average age of 24. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way, putting up MVP-caliber numbers with 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 53.5% shooting, earning a top 3 finish in the MVP race. Shai’s dominance combined with Chet Holmgren's incredible rookie year — Holmgren averaged 17.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and was second in the league with 190 blocks — turned the Thunder into one of the most exciting young teams.
Holmgren’s shot-blocking and defensive impact made OKC one of the best defensive teams in the league, helping them secure the top seed. Adding Durant to this young and talented core would push the Thunder into serious title contention. Durant, despite his age, remains an elite scorer, and would instantly make OKC a powerhouse alongside Shai and Chet.
What makes the Thunder an ideal trade partner is their surplus of draft picks and assets. With four first-round picks in the next few seasons, OKC can afford to part with some of these future selections to bring back a superstar like Durant. In this mock trade, OKC sends valuable players like Lu Dort and Jalen Williams, along with rising prospects like Cason Wallace, to make the deal happen. Dort’s defensive tenacity would be missed, but adding Durant’s scoring punch more than makes up for it.
The Thunder’s front office has shown a knack for building through the draft, but at some point, a move like this could be what takes them from a young contender to a legitimate title threat. Durant returning to Oklahoma City after starting his career there would be a storybook reunion, giving the team the veteran leadership and experience they need to compete at the highest level.
With Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, and Durant leading the charge, OKC would have one of the most dangerous cores in the NBA. The mix of youth, defense, and elite scoring would make them a tough out in the playoffs, and adding Durant could accelerate their timeline for championship contention. For Durant, this could also be a chance to close his career where it all started, while chasing another ring with a team built for the future.
Related: Ranking The MVP Candidates By Tiers For The 2024-25 NBA Season
Would The Suns Say Yes Or No?
While the Thunder’s offer is certainly tempting, the Suns would likely reject the deal. Kevin Durant is still a central part of their current build around Booker and Beal, and trading him would send the message that they’re moving into full-on rebuild mode. This would mean admitting that the Durant era, designed to bring a championship to the Suns, has failed. Losing Durant would take them out of title contention, and even with the enticing young players and picks on the table, the Suns wouldn’t be the same competitive force without him.
The Suns' whole project revolves around their star trio, and while depth and future assets are important, Durant’s role as a veteran scorer and leader is irreplaceable. Trading him away, no matter how strong the return, would weaken their immediate championship hopes. This would put them at a crossroads—do they chase the long-term upside, or do they stick with their current path to keep competing for a title? For a franchise that hasn’t won a championship, the latter still seems more appealing.
The front office would also have to deal with the public perception of trading away one of the league's biggest stars. Durant is a major draw for fans, and his departure would undoubtedly shake the team’s image and ambitions. The Suns would essentially be starting over, which is a hard sell when they’ve committed so much to this era. While the Thunder’s offer is filled with exciting talent, the Suns likely aren’t ready to admit defeat just yet.
In short, while it’s clear the offer is solid, moving Durant would signify the end of their championship aspirations. The Suns are in win-now mode, and losing KD would shift them into rebuilding, something they’re not quite prepared for. They’d say no to this trade, keeping their sights set on competing in the short term.
Would The Thunder Say Yes Or No?
The Thunder would likely say yes to this trade without hesitation. Reuniting with Kevin Durant would elevate them from a young, promising team to instant title contenders. Durant’s scoring, leadership, and experience would complement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren perfectly, accelerating the Thunder’s timeline to compete for a championship.
OKC is already loaded with future draft picks and young talent, so parting with a few assets, even valuable ones like Jalen Williams and Lu Dort, is worth it for a shot at contention now. Durant’s addition gives them a legitimate path to the Finals, and for a team already pushing into the upper echelon of the West, this move would signal they’re ready to make a serious run. The Thunder have been patient in building through the draft, but when an opportunity to add a superstar like Durant comes up, it’s hard to say no.
With Durant back, Oklahoma City becomes a powerhouse in the West, and their long-term future would still be secure thanks to their deep pool of assets. It’s a move that sets them up for immediate success without sacrificing their potential down the road, making it a no-brainer for the Thunder to accept.
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