Report: Suns Still Behind in Kevin Durant Talks

The Phoenix Suns have been in pursuit of Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant since June 30.

The Suns were reportedly one of two teams to be at the top of Durant's desired destinations. His relationship with Devin Booker and Monty Williams has been well documented on the record.

Thus, we've seen plenty of rumors surrounding Phoenix and what a potential package might look like. After the Suns matched an offer sheet for Deandre Ayton, many insiders believed Phoenix to be out of the running due to various factors that prevented him to be utilized as an immediate trade piece.

That was again the sentiment in a recent report that unveiled the Memphis Grizzlies as the newest player in the Durant sweepstakes.

Here's what The Athletic's Shams Charania said on the Suns' current standing with Brooklyn:

Suns Still Behind in Kevin Durant Talks

"The Phoenix Suns similarly have dangled a package around All-Defensive wing Mikal Bridges and a handful of first-round draft picks, which has not picked up any steam with the Nets, league sources said.

"With Deandre Ayton signed to a four-year maximum contract and unable to be moved until January, Phoenix has attempted over the past month to make creative proposals to Brooklyn, possibly via three- or four-team trades where an All-Star-caliber player goes to the Nets. But the Suns have yet to find a suitable deal — and that is largely why they appear to be behind Boston, Toronto and Miami in the Durant sweepstakes."

Charania then dove into who currently leads the race:

"Among the interested teams, the Celtics have been viewed across the league as the clear-cut answer as the team that has the ingredients to make a deal with Brooklyn happen. For now, Boston has not included guard Marcus Smart or center Robert Williams in a proposal, sources said.

"The Celtics have up to three first-round picks available to trade to Brooklyn. When Brooklyn rejected Boston’s offer last month, the Nets countered by requesting Brown, Smart, draft picks and potentially one more rotation player, according to sources."

Time will tell if the Suns are truly players in this process, but it's evident the hype train for Durant to Phoenix has slowed down to a snail's pace.

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