Kevin Durant to Miss Warriors Matchup, One Game Away from Award Ineligibility — Is Phoenix Headed for a Shake-Up?

According to Warriors beat reporter Anthony Slater, Kevin Durant will not play in the upcoming game against Golden State, marking his 17th missed game this season. Under current NBA rules, one more absence and KD will be ineligible for all major end-of-season awards.

As Durant and Bradley Beal continue to miss time or underperform, Devin Booker has been carrying the Suns—and doing it in style. Over the past three games without KD, Booker has posted:

• 39 points, 11 assists, 3 rebounds

• 37 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds

• 40 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Phoenix media has taken notice, questioning whether the presence of Durant and Beal is actually hindering Booker’s impact, not helping it.

The Suns are currently 35-43, trailing the 10th-place Mavericks by 2.5 games. Barring a miracle, Phoenix is likely to miss the Play-In Tournament, raising serious questions about the future of their so-called “Big Three.”

Could Beal Be on the Chopping Block?

NBA insider Evan Sidery reports that the Suns could use the NBA’s new stretch provision to waive Bradley Beal and spread his massive salary over four years:

• 2025–26: ~$40M (reduced if bought out)

• 2026–27: $19M

• 2027–28: $19M

• 2028–29: $19M

This would soften the financial blow of Beal’s remaining $110 million contract, and free up long-term flexibility.

Durant on the Move?

Back on April 3rd, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Durant is “certain to leave Phoenix this summer.” Teams rumored to be interested include:

• Knicks

• Timberwolves

• Rockets

• Spurs

• Heat

• 

Just days later, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed that Phoenix had already floated Durant in trade talks before the deadline, but the front office’s high asking price and KD’s unclear stance led to no deal being made.

Since leaving the Warriors, Durant hasn’t found much postseason success. Now 37 years old and entering the final year of his contract, a potential rebuild around Booker—possibly involving a discounted KD trade—could be the Suns’ best option moving forward.

Bottom Line: With a fading Big Three, looming contract issues, and missed playoff hopes, big changes may be coming to Phoenix. Will they build around Booker once again—or take one last shot with KD and Beal?

What do you think—should the Suns blow it up?