Kevin Durant needs — no, deserves — a good final chapter.
The 36-year-old all-time great, who is widely expected to be traded from the Phoenix Suns soon, and who spent so much of these past six NBA seasons dealing with adversity not of his own doing, deserves to spend these twilight years in a place where his extraordinary skills are utilized to the max and his prospects of deep playoff runs are realistic.
It’s like his Team USA pal and former Golden State Warriors teammate Stephen Curry likes to say: “Meaningful basketball.” That’s the goal at this stage when you’re a living legend, and we should find out in the next week or so — depending on where he lands — if it’s one he can reach.
Yet in contrast to the February trade deadline — when a Durant deal to Golden State was nixed by the Warriors because he’d made it clear he didn’t want a reunion tour — his preference won’t likely be a deciding factor this time around. League sources say Durant prefers to play for the San Antonio Spurs or the Houston Rockets, for example, but there are complicating factors with both of those negotiations that (for now, at least) make a deal look unlikely. From there, the list of reported suitors — with Minnesota and Miami among them — is somewhat similar to the one from four months ago. There is always a chance, of course, that a wild-card team surprises us all with a late push as well.
But before we dive into some of the dynamics at play here, let’s get one thing straight about Durant: He’s still playing the game at an elite level. Durant, who fell three games short of the league’s 65-game rule for postseason awards because of injuries last season, was one of six players who averaged at least 26 points, six rebounds and four assists.
The company around him — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum and Cade Cunningham — was the top of the top. Now add in the fact that he averaged 1.2 blocks per game, and that list (26-6-5-1) gets trimmed down to Durant and Antetokounmpo.
That being said, his age is an undeniable factor for interested teams here. He has one year left on his current contract (worth $54.7 million), and a known desire to secure a two-year extension that would be worth more than $100 million combined. Not only is that a massive investment for someone his age, but the size of his salary means that big-time contracts, and the players tied to them, would have to be swapped in any deal. As great as he is, it’s easy to see why a deal is tough to get done here.
So Jon K., I’ll throw it to you first. We reported on the Timberwolves’ pursuit of Durant back in February, and it seemed inevitable that they would revisit it when the summer rolled around. How do you see it now?
Krawczynski: That’s right, Sam. When we dove into the Wolves’ interest before the deadline that ultimately did not result in a deal, it was easy to see how conversations between the two teams at that time could lay the foundation for renewed talks this summer. In speaking to sources connected to the team and around the league, the Wolves and Suns have been talking again about a Durant deal. But to this point, there is nothing close to happening.
This is a complicated situation for the Wolves to navigate. After losing to Oklahoma City, 4-1, in the Western Conference finals, one of the Timberwolves’ biggest needs is another reliable shot creator next to Anthony Edwards. It just so happens that Edwards reveres Durant, and the two bonded during their time in Paris for the Olympics last summer.
But the Wolves are a second-apron team for now, meaning that there are severe restrictions on their ability to make trades. One of those restrictions is that they cannot combine players to aggregate their salaries so they can come close to matching Durant’s number. The Wolves also face roster uncertainty with Julius Randle and Naz Reid both having player options on their contracts. Reid said at his exit interview that he planned to opt out to become a free agent, and the Wolves do want to bring him back. Randle was not as clear with his plans. Until the Wolves know exactly what is going to happen with those two, it makes pulling off a deal even more difficult.
Ultimately, if the Timberwolves are going to be the destination for Durant, they likely would have to reach a handshake agreement with Phoenix in the next two weeks or so and then wait until after the new league year begins on July 6. At that point, they will not be a second-apron team, which makes the dealmaking a little bit easier. But a LOT has to happen between now and then for KD and Ant to become teammates.
Anthony Edwards has been outspoken about how much he reveres Kevin Durant. Could they team up in Minnesota? (Photo by Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
Amick: So I hear you on all of that, Jon, but I have to admit: Seeing Durant and Edwards side by side in the Twin Cities would be an absolute delight. I had the privilege of watching them grow closer in those Paris games, where Edwards’ game grew after spending all that quality time with the Team USA squad that was chock-full of future Hall of Famers. He’d tell anyone who would listen that KD was his favorite player. The entertainment factor of that big brother-little brother type duo would be off the charts.
But as you know, the Timberwolves do appear to have concerns about what it will take to get him. They’re taking a very measured approach to these talks. But if something was to get done here, with all of those aforementioned obstacles somehow cleared, who do you think might be headed out of town?
Krawczynski: That’s the $55 million question. Getting close to KD’s salary to make a trade mechanically possible is a challenge. The Wolves are not including Jaden McDaniels in any KD trade talks, per team sources, which means that one of Randle or Rudy Gobert would have to be the primary salary eater in the deal. Randle has a $31 million player option for next season. Gobert makes $35 million. Including either one of them not only helps in the salary matching portion of the deal, but both veterans would be reliable contributors who could help Devin Booker and the Suns compete now. It does not appear that Phoenix wants to tear down and rebuild as part of this trade. Randle and Gobert both figured prominently in Minnesota’s run to the conference finals last season. Both are floor-raisers for the regular season at a minimum, and both had big moments in the playoffs before struggling in the conference finals against OKC.
“Are you into reading tea leaves?” Gobert posted on X this week saying, “To be continued” with wolf and trophy emojis. I’m not sure if that means he has received assurances that he is staying put, but the Wolves know how important he is to their defensive identity.
Randle is a favorite of coach Chris Finch and was terrific in the first two rounds of the playoffs. So, including either veteran would sting. But it doesn’t end there for Minnesota.
The Wolves would also need another solid salary, such as Donte DiVincenzo’s $12 million, to help bridge the gap.
Phoenix also would likely want at least one of a promising young player and/or draft pick compensation. The Wolves have Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark among a strong list of prospects outside of their top-eight rotation players. They also have the 17th pick in this month’s draft and could get creative with second-rounders and pick swaps down the road, perhaps.
But needing to include so many elements in a deal for a superstar who will turn 37 before next season begins and could need a lucrative contract extension to be happy in Minnesota is a lot for the Wolves to consider. Edwards and Durant would be an electric combination. I don’t believe there is too much internal concern about KD’s ability to stay healthy. I know there is full belief that Durant can continue to be a dominant offensive force.
But would it be worth all they might need to give up to try to make it happen? That is a big decision for the organization to make.
Iko: From Houston’s vantage point, the Durant saga is fascinating.
On the one hand, you have a Rockets braintrust that has been quite vocal about the confidence in the roster decisions made over the last two seasons, which has resulted in winning 93 games in that span. A Durant acquisition, at least on paper, would solve myriad offensive issues that were further exposed in their first-round playoff loss to the Warriors — half-court efficiency, spacing concerns and a bona fide go-to scorer. You could make the argument that Durant’s presence, combined with Ime Udoka’s defense, is a recipe for a Western Conference finals run — if not more.
On the other hand, a reshaping within the Suns’ front office factors into negotiations. Houston and Phoenix have been in contact for more than a year concerning Durant, with the Suns’ aggression a byproduct of a lack of leverage and flexibility. At one point, team sources say, Phoenix was determined to regain control of its draft capital (first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and swap rights in 2029) and at another, was seeking multiple young talents like Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green. Recently, forward Jabari Smith Jr.’s name has come up pertaining to the Suns’ interest, team and league sources say. Green, whose name has been connected to Durant and other stars in trade rumors, is determined to improve upon his playoff struggles and wants to stay in Houston, league sources say. But the Rockets have largely been uninterested in breaking up their depth, even for a future Hall of Famer. There’s also the question of his age and injury history — juxtaposed with the timeline of Houston’s young core — and the tradeoff that comes with championship-chasing and development.
As has been the case with teams that have attempted to detach the Rockets from their assets over the last few years, there is always a price point where Houston will be intrigued enough to do business. Durant has a good relationship with multiple players on the roster and members of the coaching staff, and his cache alone would raise the Rockets’ ceiling. But unless Houston’s brass is suddenly enamored with the idea of parting ways with key core talents, it looks like they’re fine with keeping the band together. Their most pressing need internally was re-signing veteran center Steven Adams to an extension (which was agreed upon over the weekend), followed by hammering out Fred VanVleet’s future, which is a mere formality at this point.
Amick: I couldn’t agree with you more about the Rockets’ priorities here, Kelly. Unless they’ve been bluffing for this past year or so, it has been made abundantly clear that they only want Durant if it doesn’t cost them pivotal parts of their young core. I’d be pretty surprised if that’s where he winds up (disclaimer: I have been surprised many times before).
Now, while we’re not going to break down every last possible scenario here, I did want to get your quick thoughts on the Spurs possibility before we go. The chatter this weekend was that San Antonio wasn’t pushing all that hard in the Durant sweepstakes, if at all. Theirs is a similar calculus to the Rockets, it seems, with their timeline centering around the “Alien,” 21-year-old Victor Wembanyama. So, how do you see the situation in the Alamo City?
After six years of drama not of his own making, could Durant land in a place that gives him another shot to compete? (Photo by Chris Coduto / Getty Images)
Iko: It’s clear that Suns owner Mat Ishbia and new general manager Brian Gregory want to remain competitive in any Durant trade, and players like Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes don’t truly move the needle, but Durant’s sheer interest in San Antonio is pertinent.
It speaks to a larger theme, especially amid the current parity in the NBA and shift away from superteams. Even after winning just 34 games last season, the Spurs are well-positioned for a timeline-altering move — armed with young talent, a clean cap sheet and roster flexibility in addition to a horde of draft capital (San Antonio has 13 first-round picks through 2032).
A blockbuster move for Durant, admittedly divergent from San Antonio’s roster-building methodology over the last few decades, would align seamlessly with the new era of Spurs basketball — the rapid trajectory of Wembanyama, the midseason acquisition of De’Aaron Fox and new leadership under head coach Mitch Johnson. San Antonio is also home to Stephon Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year and owns the No. 2 pick in this month’s draft, adding to its impressive asset war chest.
For San Antonio, the motivation to progress on a Durant trade either now or after June 30, when the next league calendar year begins, will come down to how aggressive the Spurs choose to be —and which assets they’re willing to relinquish.
There’s also the question of the No. 2 pick. All signs up until this point indicate that San Antonio intends to hold on to the selection, league sources say, and keep that pick out of any trade discussions. The 14th pick, however, is available, league sources said. Duke’s Cooper Flagg is expected to be drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the first selection, and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper would be in line to be taken second by the Spurs.
There are a few fit questions that naturally arise given the presence of Fox and Castle, but Harper — who averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as a freshman — is the next-best talent on the board after Flagg. But first things first, the Spurs and every other Durant suitor must decide how badly they want him.
(Top photo: Alika Jenner / Getty Images)
