"Privately, the Suns admit they made a mistake by not involving Durant earlier in the process. They had hoped to keep the discussions closed, the way the Dallas Mavericks did with Luka Doncic, but when the Suns inevitably had to discuss scenarios with third teams to find a way to execute a deal, word leaked across the league," wrote Windhorst.

After firing their third coach in three years, the Suns' next -- and perhaps only -- move is trading the superstar whom owner Mat Ishbia acquired just hours after buying the team: Kevin Durant.