The Los Angeles Lakers, like many teams around the league, have trended away from the “big three” model, opting instead for a strong supporting cast around a pair of star players.
The new model isn’t working as well as they’d hoped, though, and the team could be ripe for an opportunity to revert to form a new big three with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant just might be that opportunity.
“You talk to people in Phoenix and around that organization, they can feel the frustration with Durant,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said December 25 on “NBA Countdown.
This is something they’re going to have to manage in Phoenix with Kevin Durant.”
Durant has been traded twice in his career — to the Brooklyn Nets in 2019 and to the Suns in February 2023.
Like the Lakers (16-15), the Suns (14-15) have struggled of late, winning just three of their last 12 games.
Injuries – mostly to Bradley Beal – have stunted the Suns’ progress, leaving the organization scrambling to right the ship without the proper assets to pursue upgrades, Wojnarowski said.
There’s a lot at stake for this organization,” he said. “It’s gotta change soon.”
“KD should leave SUNS,” former NBA guard Brandon Jennings posted on X, formerly Twitter, on December 26. “They cursed man. He don’t deserve this.”
Russell has been mentioned in trade rumors since the offseason, when he re-signed on a two-year, $36 million contract and waived his implied no-trade privileges.
His recent move to the bench only bolsters the idea that he could be involved in substantial trade offers.
