There’s a real conversation happening around Kevin Durant’s future in Phoenix. As I previously reported, the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets are among the teams actively engaged in trade talks with the Suns. But let’s flip the script for a second—not to talk about Durant’s legacy, but to shine a light on a player who could benefit from this chaos: Andrew Wiggins.
Yes, that Andrew Wiggins.
The 30-year-old forward is a name that has surfaced in potential trade packages—particularly from the Miami Heat, who have the assets to make something work. If a deal were to happen that sends Kevin Durant to Miami, Wiggins could be one of the players rerouted to Phoenix. And honestly? That might be the best thing to happen to his career since he joined the Golden State Warriors.
A Champion in the Desert?
Wiggins is no stranger to scrutiny or expectation. He entered the league with sky-high comparisons—some of which, ironically, came from Kobe Bryant’s own father, the late Joe “Jellybean” Bryant. Back in 2015, I asked Jellybean if he believed we’d ever see another Kobe or MJ. His response stuck with me:
“I don’t see anyone else who compares to Michael or to Kobe. I think the kid in Minnesota has a chance to be special…Wiggins. You talk about the size frame and those kind of things. Wiggins has the chance to be special, because really I don’t see anyone else. I don’t think there will be another Kobe or another Michael.”
That quote came at a time when Wiggins was still trying to find himself in Minnesota. Fast forward a few years, and he proved he could rise on the big stage—playing a pivotal role in Golden State’s 2022 championship run. He was their best perimeter defender, a reliable scoring option, and embraced the dirty work. Wiggins has championship experience, and that kind of pedigree matters in a Western Conference still trying to figure itself out.
Phoenix, post-KD, would be the perfect landing spot.
Why He Fits With Booker
Devin Booker is the face of the Suns—and deservedly so. What he needs around him are complementary pieces who don’t need the ball to be effective, can defend multiple positions, and can run in transition. Enter Wiggins.
He’s the type of wing who can slot in seamlessly alongside Booker, providing defensive versatility, slashing, and second-option scoring without demanding touches. He’s played next to Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green; he knows how to fit in with stars and win with them.
And more importantly, he’d be arriving with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove.
As Jellybean Bryant told me back in that same 2015 interview:
“These kids come out of school and they worry about being a number one pick, number two pick, I think it’s more important that you get with the right organization and Kobe was able to do that and as you see, playing with one organization is really something special.”
Wiggins hasn’t had that luxury. He went from Minnesota to Golden State, to Miami and now his name is buzzing in Phoenix. But he’s learned from each stop, matured, and understands what winning basketball looks like. The Suns could be his opportunity to finally be in the right system—not just as a passenger, but as a major contributor.
Trade Landscape
To get Durant to Miami, the Heat could offer a package that includes Andrew Wiggins and Duncan Robinson, along with draft compensation: the No. 20 pick this month and future first-rounders in 2030 and 2032. The Heat, however, are reluctant to include young talents like Kel’el Ware or Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets—another suitor—would have to pony up both Jabari Smith and Jalen Green to keep Phoenix at the table.
“There is no clear leader. The Texas teams are out unless they put real pieces on the table.”
San Antonio? They did call. But their best offer so far has been the No. 14 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
“Never went below 14th pick. Second pick hasn’t been offered,” the source clarified.
And perhaps most telling, internally in Phoenix:
“The person who wanted to trade Kevin Durant [at the trade deadline] no longer works for the Phoenix Suns.”
The Bottom Line
Andrew Wiggins has been underestimated, miscast, and moved around. But he’s also been battle-tested, humbled, and crowned a champion. He knows what winning requires. If he ends up in Phoenix, he won’t be expected to be Kobe or Mike—and that’s fine. What he can be is the best version of himself alongside Devin Booker.
And for a Suns team that’s recalibrating, that could be exactly what they need.
