Kevin Durant is one of the most unstoppable offensive forces to ever step onto a basketball court. When the first domino of Kyrie Irving fell, there is a decent chance every title contender’s front office spitballed their best possible trade offer. Even if they did not actually pick up the phone.

The Memphis Grizzlies did pick up the phone and gave it their best, or at least most practical shot at the two-time NBA Finals MVP, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN. The core trio of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. were untouchable, but the Grizzlies did offer up all of their existing draft picks.

As evident by Thursday’s busy deadline, and the days that preceded it, the value of draft picks is as high as ever. Still, it is understandable that future assets alone would not be enough to secure a generational talent like Durant. Lowe said Memphis had been in talks with the Brooklyn Nets since July, but it is clear that not much headway was ever made. Durant was always the Suns to lose.