Heat, Rockets, and Spurs Leading Kevin Durant Trade Speculation
Mega star Kevin Durant has his sights set on the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs as his top choices for a new team. As the Phoenix Suns sift through trade options, it's been revealed that Durant is open to signing extensions with these three teams.
Other teams reportedly in the hunt are the Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, and Los Angeles Clippers. Interestingly, Durant was rumored to want the New York Knicks on his list too, but they seem disinterested and lack the necessary draft capital to put together an appealing deal.
The Suns aim to trade Durant by draft day on June 25th. Durant is a 15-time All-Star, two-time Finals MVP, and four-time scoring champion. This season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks. He shot an impressive 57.4% on twos, 43% on threes, and 83.9% at the free throw line.
The Lowdown on Offers for Durant
Houston Rockets
The Rockets, who currently have a young roster with key players around the age of 25, don't see Durant entering his age 37 season as an ideal fit. Phoenix would love to negotiate with Houston because they hold Suns draft picks the team would like to recoup. In this upcoming draft, the 10th pick in the draft that the Rockets own was acquired from the Suns. Houston also owns Phoenix's first-round picks in 2027 and 2029. The Suns are also thought to be coveting power forward Jabari Smith Jr.
San Antonio Spurs
Durant is very interested in teaming up with Victor Wembanyama. Rumors indicate that the Spurs have only made Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Harrison Barnes available from the roster. The level of draft compensation that would be attached is unclear, but Phoenix is uninterested in those players. San Antonio has 13 first-round picks between now and 2032. With the second overall pick in this year's draft considered off the table in Durant negotiations, Vassell, Johnson, Barnes, and the 14th pick in the upcoming draft might be worth considering, even if it's not an immediate deal.
Miami Heat
Given that Durant once desired to join the Heat while with the Brooklyn Nets, it's no shock to see them on the list now. Miami's rumored offer supposedly starts with Andrew Wiggins and Duncan Robinson, along with some combination of first-round picks. The Heat can offer the 20th pick in this year’s draft along with first-rounders in 2030 and 2032. The Suns are interested in upgrading the center position, so perhaps negotiations will center around whether Phoenix can acquire promising young big man Kel’el Ware.
What's Cooking with Wolves' Offer for Durant
Minnesota and Phoenix are both on the second apron until at least June 30th. Any deal involving these two teams will likely have to wait until July 6th at the earliest. The Wolves can only fall under the second apron if both Naz Reid and Julius Randle decline their player options for the next season. As mentioned before, the Suns are likely to covet Rudy Gobert in a Durant deal, but where does that leave the Wolves regarding a center? The Wolves are also reportedly unwilling to part with Jaden McDaniels. Draft capital-wise, the Wolves only have the 17th pick in this year's draft to offer.
Peeling Back the Layers: Raptors and Clippers Offers for Durant
Brian Windhorst suggests that the Clippers are a potential Durant suitor. Toronto's willingness to take on another one-year rental superstar is suggested, with the Raptors going down this path not too long ago with Kawhi Leonard. A possible deal with Toronto could involve Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, and possibly R.J. Barrett. The Raptors have the ninth pick in this year's draft and future picks available to trade as well. While ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the Clippers' interest, it's unknown what a trade framework would look like for them. No concrete offer has been revealed for the Clippers yet.
- Kelvin Durant, a 15-time NBA All-Star and two-time Finals MVP, has sparked interest from several teams, including the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat.
- The Rockets, being a team with a young roster, do not see Durant as an ideal fit for their aging squad, but Phoenix is keen on negotiating with Houston due to the Suns draft picks they possess.
- Durant has shown interest in teaming up with Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio, but the Suns are uninterested in players like Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Harrison Barnes that the Spurs have put on the table.
- Miami, with whom Durant previously expressed interest, is rumored to offer Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, and draft picks, including the 20th pick in this year’s draft, to secure Durant's services.
- The Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns are both on the second apron until at least June 30th, and any deal between them might involve Rudy Gobert and the 17th pick in this year's draft from the Wolves. The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers are also rumored to have shown interest in Durant, but specific details about their potential offers are yet to be revealed.
