The Phoenix Suns went all-in at the 2023 trade deadline, sacrificing their future to acquire Hall of Fame-bound forward Kevin Durant. However, the trio of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal has not panned out, with the Suns currently three games behind the Sacramento Kings for the final play-in spot.
Phoenix’s ownership must now navigate having the biggest payroll in the NBA while trying to maintain its core. The Suns were unable to move Durant this season, but it has been made clear that they would like to trade him elsewhere. A former legend made surprising comments about where he would like Durant to end his career.
Carmelo Anthony Wants Kevin Durant To Finish His Career as a Hometown Hero
On his podcast “7PM in Brooklyn,” the former New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets superstar proclaimed that returning to the Washington, D.C. area would be fitting for Durant.
“KD to the [Washington] Wizards. I would like to see him on the Wizards,” Anthony said. “End it back home. You ain’t gonna go chase or go with these other teams that’s out there. You already got your rings. Go to the Wizards, bring the energy back to D.C.”
Melo wants KD to return home to end his career with the Wizards 😳
“Go to the Wizards, bring the energy back to DC … give KD his farewell tour after a couple years.” pic.twitter.com/LSVzlKgLzY
— 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) February 27, 2025
Washington is certainly not the first suitor in mind for a player like Durant, a 36-year-old veteran on the back end of his playing days. The Wizards currently hold the worst record in the league, sitting at an abysmal 10-48. Regardless, Anthony feels that it would be extremely impactful if he gave something back to the city he grew up in.
“Go back home, your family, your mom, friends there,” he continued. “Go rekindle that fire back out there in D.C. And they got pieces now — Marcus Smart, Khris Middleton, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington.”
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst has stated on multiple occasions that Phoenix is likely to move on from Durant in the offseason. While the Wizards would not be a plausible trade destination, Durant will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season. Could he head to the D.C. area to become a hometown hero?
Despite his age, Durant is still having one of the most efficient offensive campaigns of his career. He is averaging 26.9 points and 6.1 rebounds on 53.0% from the field, recently becoming the eighth player in NBA history to reach 30,000 points.
Durant has not been shy about sharing how he envisions the end of his career to proceed. He recently opened up about his future on “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.”
“It’s hard to say right now, obviously,” Durant said. “I can’t predict the future, but like I said, I just want to be healthy and make that choice on my own and be able to leave the game the way I want to leave it.”
If the Suns decide to part ways with Durant, several teams with playoff aspirations could make a strong push. A sentimental return to D.C. would make for a heartwarming story, but Durant’s priority will probably be to compete for another championship before he hangs it up.
