Overview

• The Suns have launched trade talks for Kevin Durant, with the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets identified as his top destinations.
• Phoenix has conducted background checks on Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, who carries a $30.7 million expiring salary and has dealt with health-related availability issues.
• Indiana’s Myles Turner is also under consideration as a potential sign-and-trade target once the Suns clear salary-cap space.
• Both Phoenix and Boston are above the NBA’s second apron, preventing direct salary-matching and necessitating involvement of a third team in any deal.
• The Celtics are targeting cost-cutting moves this offseason and view Porzingis as a movable piece if the right offer emerges.