Suns rumor: Whether Kevin Durant trades or not, the team will give priority to improving the lineup

Regardless of where Kevin Durant is heading, the Phoenix Suns have a specific goal to improve. The Phoenix Suns are currently preparing for this turbulent summer that could completely change the future of the team. Many experts expect Durant may leave the Suns this year after Phoenix has not won for the second straight playoffs, although it is unclear how valuable Durant will be in the trading market, as he is close to 37 years old.

Nevertheless, the Suns' problems this year are far more than a slight decline in Durant's performance. Recently, Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jack Fischer analyzed a huge void that the Suns had to fill, and whatever Durant's situation, they knew they had to fill this summer.

"There is a movement in the team's lineup: Sources say Fischer will prioritize bringing in a starting-level center in the offseason regardless of whether Durant is eventually traded before training camp starts," Fischer said, according to The Stein Line Substack. "The Suns hope to further improve the lineup after trading Yusuf Nurkic at the beginning of the season and bringing Nick Richards through Charlotte." In fact, Yusuf Nurkic completely withdrew from Mike Budenholz's rotation last season, and the Suns traded him before the trade deadline. The Suns' offseason is of great significance

The Suns' offseason are expected to become offseason trading candidates, including Brooklyn Nets' Nick Clarkston, whose franchise protection ability will surely attract the attention of multiple teams.

Of course, the main issues of the Suns offseason are still centered around Durant, and his departure may greatly change the direction of Phoenix's future. The Suns still have Devin Booker and Bradley Bill in the roster, and it looks like the chances of the two defenders being traded in the offseason are getting less and less likely (especially considering the Bills’ non-trade clause).

However, trading Durant will give Phoenix a chance to replenish some much-needed young players while also making room for chasing a center in free agency or trade.

In any case, the NBA trading market will reopen after the June finals end.