Phoenix Suns Enter Offseason Overhaul: Budenholzer Fired, Durant Expected to Be Traded, Beal's Future Uncertain

NBA Trade Rumors: Phoenix Suns Enter Offseason Overhaul: Budenholzer Fired, Durant Expected to Be Traded, Beal's Future Uncertain

The Phoenix Suns are heading into a dramatic offseason after a disappointing 36–46 season, and the winds of change are already blowing strong through the Valley. With head coach Mike Budenholzer already out the door and Kevin Durant expected to be traded, the franchise is poised for a significant retool around Devin Booker, the one true untouchable on the roster.

Durant Era Nears Its End

The biggest headline surrounds Kevin Durant, who, despite posting another stellar season (26.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, 43% from three), is reportedly on his way out. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Suns will “engage in trade conversations” involving Durant and are expected to work closely with his longtime business partner Rich Kleiman to find the right landing spot.

Durant’s trade has been in the making since the February deadline, when Phoenix nearly pulled the trigger on a deal that ultimately didn't materialize—partly due to Durant's own preference to stay put at the time. But with the team underperforming and the fit between KD, Booker, and Bradley Beal not producing the expected championship results, the front office has decided a shake-up is necessary.

Bradley Beal: Stuck in the Valley?

While Durant will attract serious suitors, Bradley Beal is another story. The former All-Star holds one of the NBA’s rare no-trade clauses, effectively giving him complete control over any move. Combine that with a massive contract—$53.6 million next season and a $57.1 million player option in 2026–27—and Beal becomes almost unmovable.

To make matters more complicated, his on-court production has dropped considerably. Beal averaged just 17.6 points per game during his two-year tenure with Phoenix and appeared in only 106 games total. With his declining impact and bloated deal, no teams are eager to absorb that salary, especially without Beal waiving his trade protection.

Devin Booker: The Franchise Cornerstone

Through it all, Devin Booker remains the bedrock of the Suns’ future. Team governor Mat Ishbia emphatically dismissed any notion of trading Booker, calling it “silly” in a March interview with ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

“In order to win an NBA championship, you got to have a superstar. You got to have a great player," Ishbia said. "I have Devin Booker in the prime."

Booker, who’s spent his entire career in Phoenix, appears just as committed.

“I take pride in the community in Phoenix, the people that have supported me since I was 18 when things were ugly,” he told MacMahon. “I want to do it, and I want to do it here.”

What’s Next for Phoenix?

With Budenholzer gone, Durant likely traded, and Beal’s future murky, the Suns are in full reboot mode—but not a rebuild. The team appears committed to keeping Booker and retooling the roster around him, even if it means taking a step back in the short term to build a more sustainable future.

Possible priorities this summer:

• Maximizing value in a Durant trade (young players + picks)

• Attempting to renegotiate or buy out Beal’s deal (unlikely, but not impossible)

• Finding a new head coach aligned with Booker’s timeline and leadership

• Adding depth and defensive versatility, both sorely lacking this season

Phoenix entered the 2023–24 season with championship expectations and now faces the offseason with more questions than answers. But one thing is certain: this Suns team will look dramatically different in 2025–26.

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