Recent reports indicate that Kevin Durant has identified three teams he would ideally like to be traded to: the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. The timing of this information surfacing around mid-June appears somewhat notable.
Durant has effectively been available for trade since February. Although he remained with the Phoenix Suns through the trade deadline, the possibility of a move became clear after attempts were made to trade him to the Golden State Warriors without his explicit agreement. Subsequent reports have suggested his eventual trade was likely. Given this context, a list of preferred destinations only emerging in mid-June seems a little unusual on the surface.
However, further details from the reporting, alongside developments in the trade discussions, shed more light on the situation. As noted by Shams Charania, the Suns have informed the approximately six to eight genuinely interested teams that their priority is securing the best possible deal for their organization, even if that means sending Durant to a team not on his preferred list.
While the full list of interested teams isn`t public, it`s confirmed to be larger than the three Durant reportedly favors. Since the trade deadline, teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks have been mentioned as potential trade partners.
Sources suggest that Minnesota has been particularly keen on acquiring Durant. For example, Zach Lowe of The Ringer reported significant buzz surrounding talks involving the Timberwolves. Towards the end of last week, betting markets even favored Minnesota as the most likely destination for Durant based on odds from at least one major sportsbook. While the internal knowledge of sportsbooks is unknown, there have been instances in past offseasons where betting odds seemed to anticipate news before it was widely reported.
Even though Minnesota seems to be the most frequently discussed potential destination, several other plausible suitors exist outside of Durant`s top three. Consider the Toronto Raptors, for instance. Reports indicate they plan to be active this offseason, and with Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to stay in Milwaukee, Durant is one of the few known superstars potentially available. Toronto reportedly explored trading for Durant back in 2022. Their team president, Masai Ujiri, has a history of successfully trading for a star who wasn`t initially keen on playing in Toronto, as he did with Kawhi Leonard in 2018, which ultimately led to a championship.
So, how does the timing of Durant`s preferred destinations being revealed fit into this? As trade negotiations intensify and a deal potentially nears, Durant may be attempting to discourage teams he doesn`t want to play for by signaling his potential lack of enthusiasm. This is a known tactic used by star players in trade talks. We know Durant has employed this strategy before, notably during the trade deadline discussions involving the Warriors.
Here`s where the situation becomes more complex. Usually, a player being in the final year of their contract can deter teams from making a significant trade package. It`s generally understood that teams are reluctant to pay a high price for a player of Durant`s caliber if they might only have him for one season. However, Durant will be 37 years old when the next season begins. He becomes eligible for a two-year, $122 million contract extension on July 6th. He has a history of injuries, and while he remains an All-Star, statistical analysis suggests he`s no longer the indisputable MVP candidate he once was. In today`s salary-cap-focused NBA, acquiring Durant for just one year might ironically be more appealing than committing to paying him for his age 38 and 39 seasons.
Take the Timberwolves again. A rumored trade proposal involves sending Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, and a package of young players and draft picks to Phoenix in exchange for Durant. The clear goal would be to contend for the championship, perhaps in 2026, with Durant on the roster. However, Minnesota already has a max salary commitment to Anthony Edwards, needs to negotiate a long-term contract with Julius Randle (or trade him), and Jaden McDaniels is also on an expensive deal. Paying high salaries to all four players for multiple seasons might not be financially viable.
But if the Timberwolves make this trade now, they shed the remaining three expensive years on Gobert`s contract, covering his age 33, 34, and 35 seasons. While they could potentially extend Durant later if he decided to stay, even if he were to leave after a single year, the trade could be seen as a high-profile salary dump. There`s potential value in clearing Gobert`s future salary, even if it doesn`t guarantee long-term success from a purely basketball standpoint. Furthermore, the Timberwolves have new ownership whose willingness to spend is currently uncertain.
The Raptors have previous experience with this scenario. They traded for Kawhi Leonard in 2018 fully aware he likely planned to move to Los Angeles the following year. A key factor in their willingness was the relatively low price required to acquire him, making the potential reward outweigh the risk. Giving up DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a single, non-elite first-round pick was deemed acceptable for a chance at a championship. Considering the likely return for Durant at this stage of his career might be less than his peak value (like when Phoenix gave up Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and five first-round picks), other teams might be viewing the situation as the Raptors did in 2018: if the acquisition cost is modest, the reward outweighs the risk.
Ironically, the teams best positioned to surpass these lower offers are Houston and San Antonio. They are among the NBA`s teams with the most valuable assets and could easily outbid teams like Minnesota or Toronto. However, this wealth of assets could also work against Durant`s preference. The Spurs and Rockets have the flexibility to be patient. They can wait for a younger superstar to become available or choose to build organically around their current youth and draft picks. Teams like Minnesota and Toronto have fewer alternatives, making Durant potentially a more urgent necessity for them.
Durant possesses other potential leverage points. The mere idea of having such an important and respected player who might not want to be there could make certain teams hesitant. However, consider Durant`s response after not being traded by the Nets in 2022. Despite an offseason filled with trade rumors, he played at an All-Star level, averaging over 29 points per game before eventually being traded to Phoenix. Durant is known for his professionalism. It`s difficult to envision him intentionally disrupting a season as other disgruntled stars sometimes have.
Discussions regarding Durant`s future seem ongoing. He has reportedly made his preferences clear. However, unlike some other prominent players who have forced trades, it`s much less certain if he will successfully land with one of his desired teams. His relatively short remaining contract isn`t necessarily a disadvantage and might even be seen as a positive by some teams. If the Spurs, Rockets, or Heat genuinely want Durant, they cannot assume he will simply become available to them easily. The Suns are focused on securing the most beneficial trade package for themselves. They have no inherent obligation to accommodate Durant`s preferred destinations. Therefore, if the market dictates a move elsewhere, there`s a significant possibility that`s where he will end up.
Jasper Hawthorne