Kevin Durant’s future in the NBA gets more and more uncertain with every passing minute as the trade talks intensify. Today, the Phoenix Suns are said to be open to trading their superstar. He’s made no secret of his preference to play for the New York Knicks. The Knicks have reportedly never pursued him. Trade talks are really getting exciting! The Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves have all emerged in the past day or two as serious contenders for Durant, and a deal could be completed within the next few days.
In a surprising twist, while Durant initially favored a move to New York, the Knicks have firmly decided against pursuing him. According to sports journalist Marc Spears, “The Knicks have no interest in bringing him in.” This evolution has inspired Durant to stretch in exciting and challenging ways. He is now zeroing in exclusively on the most desirable teams as determined by trade market lottery ball drawing. The Rockets, Heat and Spurs are reported as the most probable harbingers (excluding his current team of course).
Trade Discussions Heat Up
Time to wade through the rapidly changing landscape of NBA trade chatter involving Kevin Durant. The ASU product has drawn interest from as many as 14 teams, though the Suns have yet to see a single offer that has thrilled them. According to multiple reports, the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as front-runners in trade discussions.
Multiple sources confirm that Minnesota is leading the charge in trade talks, with Brian Windhorst stating, “if I had to put a favorite, I definitely think Minnesota is the team that’s been the most aggressive.”
The Suns are reportedly doing everything they can to complete the deal. That sense of urgency is even more tangible after reports surfaced of a possible Durant trade occurring within the next few days. That period couldn’t come at a better time, given the growing excitement about the upcoming tradition of NBA roster upheaval that is the offseason.
Potential Offers and Sleeper Teams
The Rockets and Timberwolves have hogged all the headlines. Other franchises are worried about Durant’s situation, too. Among the favorites for Durant are the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. So far their offers have not turned the Suns’ heads.
The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers are both being named as sleeper teams in this trade carousel. Windhorst noted that “Toronto is making the No. 9 pick in this draft, in addition to some players, available in multiple different scenarios.” The Raptors have shown they are willing to roll the dice on Durant, viewing him as a potential one-year rental.
Despite interest from several teams, the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics appear to be uninvolved in Durant’s trade discussions for now. Even so, teams aren’t taking their eyes off the ball as they look to reload in a potentially wild offseason.
Future Implications
Animated by ideas about where he will go next, as Kevin Durant approaches the end of his current contract with the Suns, this speculation only picks up in volume. The prospective team would get the player’s current contract year plus however many they control him for. This creates further complication to any possible trade.
Durant’s revealed preference for only a small number of possible destinations makes negotiations important. He would not particularly like to relocate to Minnesota. Yet, how and whether Mr. Adams’ wishes will be fully honored is a growing concern, especially given the history of his stature and age. Spears commented on this delicate situation: “He definitely doesn’t want to go to Minnesota, but I think there is some fear from him … they’re hoping there’s going to be some respect, at Kevin’s age, to give him what he wants.”
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