With his request for a trade, Kevin Durant caused havoc in the NBA summer. He had two teams in mind: the Suns or the Heat.
Although there was a lot of talk about the Suns and a potential Deandre Ayton sign-and-trade for Durant, Suns GM James Jones told Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic that the parties were never truly close to a deal. Jones had the same sense as many other front offices in the league: the Nets weren't interested in trading Durant.
Brooklyn wished to retain Kevin Durant there. And for that reason, he plays for us, not for some other team. I understand it.
Brooklyn's demand was granted; Durant is still a Net and committed to the current campaign.
As Ayton's name frequently appeared in trade speculations and the Suns refused to extend his deal at the maximum amount, he convinced the Pacers to do the same. The Suns nearly immediately responded in kind. Jones claims that Ayton's relationship is going well in the second section of his interview with Rankin and the Arizona Republic.
"Now that the contract-related issues are behind us, our attention is on how we can assist him in getting better and staying better. To do that, we have ideas and plans. He's decent. He is in fantastic shape. He's been training hard at the gym on what I would call "second-level things," I can see he's eager to show that he's improved since last time.
With a club that finished last season with a league-best 64 victories but was eliminated by Luka Doncic and the Mavericks in the second round of the playoffs, the Suns are practically starting this year. The Suns enter the season as contenders (they reached the Finals a couple of years ago), but in a West that is deeper this season, they will need to improve if they want to return to the Finals. Ayton must improve and be more reliable. Cam Johnson needs to go forward significantly. There cannot be any decline for Chris Paul. A lot of factors must be favorable.
That is where Kevin Durant might have been helpful, but it seems like he was never close to joining the Suns.
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