Dallas has been repeatedly described as a potential Kevin Durant suitor, before the deadline and since, but I continue to hear that reports of its interest have been overstated. The Mavericks, based on my best read, are not currently planning for a three-star construction. Securing Irving’s future as their backcourt anchor after stunningly surrendering Luka is a priority — Kyrie Irving holds a $44 million player option for next season — and it is likewise obvious that Dallas would have to gut its depth to make a competitive trade offer for Durant.
Source: marcstein.substack.com
Source: marcstein.substack.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant blast back at Skip Bayless after “mentally semi-retired” tweet (w/videos). #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… – 9:33 PM
Kevin Durant blast back at Skip Bayless after “mentally semi-retired” tweet (w/videos). #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… – 9:33 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“They have no bigs. They’re playing five guards the whole game. We better had scored points in the paint.”
Kevin Durant as Suns scored a season-high 68 paint points in win over Mavs. #Suns pic.x.com/Mb00r6GXvb – 7:05 PM
“They have no bigs. They’re playing five guards the whole game. We better had scored points in the paint.”
Kevin Durant as Suns scored a season-high 68 paint points in win over Mavs. #Suns pic.x.com/Mb00r6GXvb – 7:05 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: PHX 125, DAL 116
Booker: 24 Pts, 6 Ast, 10-21 FG
Durant: 21 Pts, 9 Reb, 8 Ast, 8-15 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 6 Ast, 7-10 FG
Allen: 17 Pts, 2 Blk, 6-10 FG
Marshall: 34 Pts, 10 Ast, 9 Reb, 13-22 FG
Suns within 1.5 games of the play-in – 5:46 PM
Final: PHX 125, DAL 116
Booker: 24 Pts, 6 Ast, 10-21 FG
Durant: 21 Pts, 9 Reb, 8 Ast, 8-15 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 6 Ast, 7-10 FG
Allen: 17 Pts, 2 Blk, 6-10 FG
Marshall: 34 Pts, 10 Ast, 9 Reb, 13-22 FG
Suns within 1.5 games of the play-in – 5:46 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Phoenix trio vs. Dallas:
Book: 24 PTS | 6 AST
KD: 21 PTS | 9 REB | 8 AST
Beal: 19 PTS | 6 AST
3-1 against the Mavs this season. pic.x.com/Un39AuCySp – 5:45 PM
Phoenix trio vs. Dallas:
Book: 24 PTS | 6 AST
KD: 21 PTS | 9 REB | 8 AST
Beal: 19 PTS | 6 AST
3-1 against the Mavs this season. pic.x.com/Un39AuCySp – 5:45 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: PHX 97, DAL 86
Durant: 19 Pts, 7 Reb, 6 Ast, 8-11 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 6 Ast, 7-10 FG
Booker: 15 Pts, 6 Ast, 6-12 FG
Richards: 14 Pts, 9 Reb, 6-7 FG
Marshall: 29 Pts, 8 Ast, 11-17 FG – 5:19 PM
End of 3Q: PHX 97, DAL 86
Durant: 19 Pts, 7 Reb, 6 Ast, 8-11 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 6 Ast, 7-10 FG
Booker: 15 Pts, 6 Ast, 6-12 FG
Richards: 14 Pts, 9 Reb, 6-7 FG
Marshall: 29 Pts, 8 Ast, 11-17 FG – 5:19 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Suns shot 59.5% overall and had 42 points in the paint…and are only up 6. I’m so tired of talking about shot attempts for Kevin Durant vs. Devin Booker and who they’re running the offense through when the defense/live-ball turnovers/transition defense is clearly the issue – 4:48 PM
The Suns shot 59.5% overall and had 42 points in the paint…and are only up 6. I’m so tired of talking about shot attempts for Kevin Durant vs. Devin Booker and who they’re running the offense through when the defense/live-ball turnovers/transition defense is clearly the issue – 4:48 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns 60-54 at break.
Led by as many as 15 points.
PHX: Kevin Durant 11 points, Grayson Allen 10 off the bench.
DAL: Naji Marshall 15, Brandon Williams 11.
Points in the paint: Suns 34. Mavs 24. #Suns #MFFL pic.x.com/ZsGeHc2hAe – 4:38 PM
Suns 60-54 at break.
Led by as many as 15 points.
PHX: Kevin Durant 11 points, Grayson Allen 10 off the bench.
DAL: Naji Marshall 15, Brandon Williams 11.
Points in the paint: Suns 34. Mavs 24. #Suns #MFFL pic.x.com/ZsGeHc2hAe – 4:38 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: PHX 60, DAL 54
Durant: 11 Pts, 5 Ast, 4 Reb, 5-7 FG
Allen: 10 Pts, 3-6 FG
Beal: 9 Pts, 4 Ast, 4-7 FG
Richards: 8 Pts, 6 Reb, 3-4 FG
Booker: 6 Pts, 4 Ast, 3-9 FG
Marshall: 15 Pts, 6 Ast, 5-8 FG
Mavs close 2Q on 7-2 run – 4:35 PM
Halftime: PHX 60, DAL 54
Durant: 11 Pts, 5 Ast, 4 Reb, 5-7 FG
Allen: 10 Pts, 3-6 FG
Beal: 9 Pts, 4 Ast, 4-7 FG
Richards: 8 Pts, 6 Reb, 3-4 FG
Booker: 6 Pts, 4 Ast, 3-9 FG
Marshall: 15 Pts, 6 Ast, 5-8 FG
Mavs close 2Q on 7-2 run – 4:35 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant X Jason Kidd = catching up. #Suns #MFFL pic.x.com/p2mcO9FeIZ – 4:30 PM
Kevin Durant X Jason Kidd = catching up. #Suns #MFFL pic.x.com/p2mcO9FeIZ – 4:30 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: PHX 32, DAL 24
Durant: 5 Pts, 5 Ast, 3 Reb, 2-2 FG
Bol: 6 Pts, 3 Reb, 3-3 FG
Beal: 5 Pts, 2-3 FG
Booker: 4 Pts, 2-7 FG
Williams: 7 Pts, 2 Stl, 3-5 FG
Suns close 1Q on 8-0 run – 4:03 PM
End of 1Q: PHX 32, DAL 24
Durant: 5 Pts, 5 Ast, 3 Reb, 2-2 FG
Bol: 6 Pts, 3 Reb, 3-3 FG
Beal: 5 Pts, 2-3 FG
Booker: 4 Pts, 2-7 FG
Williams: 7 Pts, 2 Stl, 3-5 FG
Suns close 1Q on 8-0 run – 4:03 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Durant gouging the Mavericks not with his scoring but his passing in the first quarter. He has as many assists (five) as points and the Suns have taken a 32-24 lead after 12 minutes. – 4:02 PM
Durant gouging the Mavericks not with his scoring but his passing in the first quarter. He has as many assists (five) as points and the Suns have taken a 32-24 lead after 12 minutes. – 4:02 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
The lineups with either Durant only or Booker only are huge for Suns.
Got O’Neale, Plumlee, Allen, Jones and Durant.
Plumlee reverse dunks. Suns up six. #Suns – 4:02 PM
The lineups with either Durant only or Booker only are huge for Suns.
Got O’Neale, Plumlee, Allen, Jones and Durant.
Plumlee reverse dunks. Suns up six. #Suns – 4:02 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns up 24-22 despite Devin Booker starting 2-for-7 and 3 early TOs for KD. Defense is conceding far too many open looks already, but Bol Bol is off to a good start after struggling the last 2 games – 3:57 PM
Suns up 24-22 despite Devin Booker starting 2-for-7 and 3 early TOs for KD. Defense is conceding far too many open looks already, but Bol Bol is off to a good start after struggling the last 2 games – 3:57 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant draws tech as he’s been talking to the ref.
Then expresses himself with language. #Suns – 3:52 PM
Durant draws tech as he’s been talking to the ref.
Then expresses himself with language. #Suns – 3:52 PM
More on this storyline
As for Kevin Durant? The race is on leaguewide to try to properly project whether he’s staying in the desert or likely to be made available to trade suitors after the season in the wake of the Suns’ serious talks with Golden State that forced Durant himself to intervene last month to avoid becoming a Warrior for the second time. -via marcstein.substack.com / March 10, 2025
The Mavericks will have to wait until the 2025-26 season for the opportunity to realize that potential, with Irving sidelined for the rest of this season, among a long list of other key injuries. Regardless, Durant expressed optimism about what Dallas can become. He pointed to the team’s size, athleticism, and defensive upside as ingredients for a promising future — especially with a healthy Irving leading the way. “I think it’d be a great team,” Durant said. “I mean, they got size, they got athleticism, defense, and you got a guy like Kyrie leading you and a city like Dallas that got your support. Should be fun.” -via Dallas Hoops Journal / March 10, 2025
Durant acknowledged the emotional weight of the transition, noting how deeply fans had connected with Doncic and what his absence means to the community. “Those emotions that they had are real, and they should address those too,” Durant said. “But once you see this team, see [Anthony Davis] out there healthy with Kai, healthy with Klay, Gafford and Lively, you just kind of saw a small glimpse of it when AD’s first half of that first game — what they can be.” -via Dallas Hoops Journal / March 10, 2025
