The NBA offseason is heating up, and a bold three-team trade proposal from Jackson Caudell is turning heads across the league. This blockbuster deal would send Kevin Durant to the Denver Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. to the Phoenix Suns, and veteran talent to the Atlanta Hawks to bolster their bench. With the Hawks aiming to deepen their roster, the Nuggets chasing another title around Nikola Jokić, and the Suns desperate to escape their financial and competitive quagmire, this trade could reshape the NBA landscape. Can this ambitious swap address each team’s needs and spark a new era for all three franchises? Let’s dive into the details and implications of this game-changing proposal.
The 2024-25 NBA season left the Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, and Phoenix Suns at critical junctures. The Hawks, with a young core of Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu, are looking to enhance their bench to compete in the East. The Nuggets, after a surprising playoff run to the Western Conference Finals despite firing coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth, need more firepower around Jokić to secure another championship. The Suns, trapped in the second luxury tax apron with no draft picks until 2031 and Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause, face a bleak outlook unless they move a star like Kevin Durant. This three-team trade proposal aims to address these challenges:
Hawks Receive: Grayson Allen, Peyton Watson, Royce O’Neale
Nuggets Receive: Kevin Durant, Kobe Bufkin, Vit Krejčí, 2030 2nd-round pick (via ATL)
Suns Receive: Michael Porter Jr., Christian Braun, Terance Mann, Zeke Nnaji, Hunter Tyson, 2027 2nd-round pick (from ATL, via CLE), 2029 2nd-round pick (from ATL, via CLE), 2030 1st-round pick swap (via Denver), 2031 2nd-round pick (from ATL, via CLE)
Why It Works for the Hawks
For Atlanta, this trade bolsters their bench with experienced veterans and shooting. Grayson Allen, one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters (40%+ last season), and Royce O’Neale, a solid defender and former Quin Snyder disciple in Utah, provide spacing and versatility around Trae Young. Peyton Watson, a young wing with defensive upside, adds depth to Atlanta’s frontcourt. These additions, alongside Mouhamed Gueye, Georges Niang, and the Hawks’ two 2025 first-round picks, could transform their bench into a strength, addressing needs for shooting, interior defense, and depth. However, trading Kobe Bufkin, a promising but injury-prone guard, and Vit Krejčí, a success story for Atlanta, is a gamble. The Hawks must weigh whether Allen and O’Neale’s immediate contributions outweigh Bufkin’s potential.
Why It Works for the Nuggets
Denver’s acquisition of Kevin Durant is a bold all-in move to maximize Jokić’s prime. At 37, Durant remains a top-tier scorer and two-way player, averaging 27.1 points and 6.6 rebounds in 2024-25. Pairing him with Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon could create the NBA’s most potent offense, elevating Denver past Western Conference rivals like Oklahoma City. Bufkin and Krejčí add depth, though their defensive limitations and injury concerns pose risks. The downside? Trading Michael Porter Jr., Christian Braun, and multiple assets depletes Denver’s youth and depth, and Durant’s injury history could jeopardize their future if the championship bid falls short.
Why It Works for the Suns
Phoenix, stuck in a financial and competitive bind, benefits by shedding Durant’s $49.9 million salary and acquiring young talent in Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun, plus depth pieces like Terance Mann, Zeke Nnaji, and Hunter Tyson. The 2030 first-round pick swap and multiple second-round picks provide rare draft capital for a team that owns none until 2031. This trade allows the Suns to remain competitive around Devin Booker while building for the future. However, Porter Jr.’s injury history and defensive shortcomings, combined with the Suns’ high expectations for Durant’s trade return, could make them hesitate, as other teams might offer more.
Challenges and Risks
Each team faces risks. For Atlanta, losing Bufkin’s upside could sting if he develops elsewhere, and Allen’s defensive weaknesses may not fully address their needs. Denver’s gamble on Durant leaves them vulnerable to depth issues and future uncertainty, especially if injuries derail their title hopes. For Phoenix, the return for Durant—a two-time Finals MVP—may not match his value, as Porter Jr. and Braun, while talented, don’t guarantee contention. The trade’s success hinges on each team’s ability to integrate new pieces and navigate the NBA’s restrictive CBA and apron rules, which incentivize multi-team deals like this.
Impact on the NBA Landscape
This trade could redefine the NBA’s power dynamics. Denver, with Durant and Jokić, would become a championship favorite, challenging teams like the Celtics and Thunder. Atlanta’s improved depth could make them a sleeper in the East, especially if Trae Young elevates his game. Phoenix, while taking a step back, gains flexibility and youth to retool around Booker. The ripple effects—shifting contender status, roster dynamics, and draft capital—would dominate offseason headlines, making this one of the most intriguing proposals of 2025.
This three-team trade proposal is a high-stakes gamble that could catapult the Nuggets to a title, deepen the Hawks’ roster, and give the Suns a lifeline out of their financial mess. Kevin Durant’s move to Denver would be a seismic shift, while Atlanta’s veteran additions and Phoenix’s youth infusion address critical needs. Yet, the risks—Durant’s age, Atlanta’s loss of potential, and Phoenix’s uncertain return—make this a bold, divisive deal. As the 2025 offseason unfolds, this blockbuster could set social media ablaze with speculation. Will Durant don a Nuggets jersey, or will these teams chart a different course? The NBA world is watching.