Even though he's approaching the twilight of his NBA career at this point, there are still plenty of interested suitors when it comes to Kevin Durant's potential availability this offseason. Recently, Phoenix Suns insider John Gambadoro voiced that he believes the LA Clippers could be an under-the-radar team to land Durant this summer.
In light of this statement from Gambadoro, Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor crafted an imagined trade that would send Durant to Los Angeles without forcing the Clippers to give up their entire future. His suggested deal would send Norman Powell, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Drew Eubanks and Kobe Brown along with the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to Phoenix in exchange for Durant.
This imagined trade proposal isn't the kind of one that would have been required to land KD from the Suns a couple of years ago — his value was much higher at that point. All things considered, this is a very realistic package that could be enough to get Phoenix to hand over Durant.
If you're the Clippers, making this kind of move would appear to be a pretty easy decision. Kawhi Leonard is locked in long-term, and he has a strong supporting cast of role players around him. But James Harden has a player option for next season, and there's no guarantee he'll remain in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles could be the perfect landing spot for Kevin Durant
Even if he does, are we convinced a duo of Harden and Leonard alone can win a championship at this point in their careers? It certainly feels like a stretch. And that's why Durant could be such a fantastic fit with the Clippers.
Even though he's now 36 years old and not really in his prime anymore, Kevin Durant still possesses elite shot-making ability and the kind of feel for the game that you just won't get from younger players who haven't been there and done that.
At the end of the day, much of what happens is going to be based on what Durant's desires are. If KD goes to Phoenix's front office and expresses a desire to play with Leonard on the Clippers, it could push the Suns to seriously consider a deal that would give them legitimate depth and draft compensation.
With Kevin Durant not playing on a long-term contract and theoretically available for far less than he would have been in years past, there could very much be a reality where the LA Clippers are able to put together the best offer the Phoenix Suns could ask for. Number 35 ending up in Los Angeles may still be a long shot, but it's reasonable to think it's a scenario that could realistically unfold if there's some mutual interest there.