Kevin Durant is the top name on the trade market, but the Philadelphia Sixers aren't one of the known teams that have reached out to the Suns about the star. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that there are some "wildcard suitors" who inquired about Durant, one of which could be the Sixers. If there were a way for Phoenix to take on Paul George's contract, doing so would be a no-brainer move for the Sixers.
Kevin O'Connor proposed a Philly trade for Durant that would send George and two first-round picks to the desert. The deal would give the Sixers the third star they need to make a run in a weak conference, pairing KD with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
It'd be hard to sell the Suns on George's contract, but they're in an interesting position. Phoenix isn't in rebuilding mode (or a Devin Booker trade would happen), as Mat Ishbia believes the team can win a title. George would give them an established player who could help them do that. He's coming off a bad season in Philadelphia, but Daryl Morey could convince the Suns that it doesn't mean George is no longer a winning player, and that it was merely an off year with a new team.
Proposed Kevin Durant trade would actually help the Sixers
Going from missing the Play-In Tournament entirely with an injury-torn roster led by Embiid, George, and Maxey to acquiring Durant is the upgrade the Sixers need to be in a position to win a championship with their star center. Time is ticking for Morey in Philadelphia. He could redeem himself for signing George to a four-year max contract by flipping him in a trade for one of the greatest players to play the game.
As with every other trade involving a star, there are risks. Durant will turn 37 before the start of next season, and his injury history is a red flag. Not as much as George's, but still enough to make the Sixers hesitant. The injury bug has thrown a wrench in Philadelphia's title hopes too many times before for the team not to be paranoid.
The biggest key to the Sixers making the run they desire in a shallow conference is Embiid staying healthy. After that, it's banking on George to have a bounce-back season, which isn't all that reassuring to fans. Perhaps Philadelphia can ease that worry by replacing George with Durant.