PHOENIX — Trade chatter surrounding Kevin Durant is reaching a critical point, with the Phoenix Suns reportedly in advanced discussions with multiple teams. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the franchise may finalize a deal within days, well before the NBA Finals conclude.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Durant, a 15-time All-Star and former league MVP, has drawn strong interest from three serious contenders: the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, and Houston Rockets.
Mar 26, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Charania on the finalists for Suns Durant:
Six to eight teams have reached out to Phoenix on what the franchise’s ideal package for Durant, with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, and Houston Rockets as the top contenders. All of those teams have showed interested in the past in the former MVP, but will all have their best shot in securing Durant to their roster.
Apr 14, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shares words with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) after fouling him in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota has tried to pair its young superstar in Anthony Edwards with an establish all-time player like Durant. Edwards has said that the 36-year-old is his favorite player in NBA history and could be a dream come true for the young guard. The Timberwolves have had back-to-back gentlemen sweeps in the Western Conference Finals and look to need on more move to make the jump to the Finals.
Miami has no real reason to trade for Durant. The franchise snuck its way into the Playoffs by winning to Play-In game, and then proceeded to have the most lopsided first-round series of all-time. General manager Pat Riley just traded six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and look to replace him with Durant. However, the roster’s current construction won’t benefit greatly with the addition of a player like Durant.
Jan 29, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the basketball over Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) and guard Tyler Herro (14) during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Houston has the greatest incentive to trade for the former Texas longhorn. The Rockets traded for the Suns picks last offseason to ramp up for a Durant trade. Then, after flaring out in the first round of playoffs as the second seed, Houston has all the motivation to take a risk on the older Durant on a one-year deal to try and make the jump into serious contenders.
Mar 30, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) fight for position in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The Rockets could offer the Suns the best package for Durant with the draft assets and the young prospects on the roster. If general manager Brian Gregory could recoup the franchise’s pick, while receiving Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and/or more in return, he would have to jump at the opportunity to try and salvage the team from last year’s embarrassment of a season.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
