The Phoenix Suns have narrowed down the list of serious suitors for Kevin Durant to three teams, ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Friday, June 13.
“There is some serious traction on conversations on trade scenarios with the Suns,” Charania said on Friday’s episode of the “Pat McAfee Show” in Indiana. “They’ve had about six to eight teams [who] reached out. There’s been interest, there’s been some offers. There have been some negotiations. But really, in the last 24 to 48 hours, I’m told, the focus of the Suns’ conversation has been on a few of the teams, and here they are: the Houston Rockets, the Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves. I’m told those are the three teams right now where a lot of the focus for Durant lies.”
Previously, Charania reported that the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks have also expressed interest. But that seems no longer the case, as a Durant trade could happen “potentially even sooner than seven days,” according to Charania.
Getting Back Picks From Rockets
Getty Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns dunks against Dillon Brooks of the Houston Rockets.
Among the teams that have expressed interest in Durant, the Rockets have the upper hand.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Suns have contacted the Rockets since their seasons ended.
“Phoenix is aggressive in pursuit of a) trading Kevin Durant and b) regaining full control of their draft capital starting with the No. 10 pick in next month’s draft, team sources said. Since the conclusion of the season, Houston has fielded several calls from Phoenix, who have since gradually lowered their asking price for Durant, those sources said,” Iko wrote.
The Suns gave up four first-round picks and a pick swap on top of Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges for Durant at the trade deadline in 2023. Most of those picks are now with the Rockets, who are in a great position to trade for Durant should they want to.
In March, The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin reported that the Suns were looking to regain those picks from the Rockets.
Timberwolves’ Pursuit of Kevin Durant
Getty Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a slam dunk against Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns.
The Timberwolves seriously pursued Durant at the trade deadline, according to Brian Windhorst, Charania’s colleague at ESPN.
“It became clear to me, talking to the parties involved, how serious the Wolves were in trading for Kevin Durant at the trade deadline,” Windhorst said on the “Hoop Collective” podcast on May 30. “They made some sort of progress [on a Durant trade]. Getting it done was impossible — they’re two second-apron teams — but after [Julius Randle and Naz Reid opt out this off-season] the Wolves will not be a second-apron team.”
Durant is owed $54.7 million next season and is on the final year of his current four-year, $190 million contract. Wherever he lands next, he will be eligible to sign a two-year, $112 million extension. If he waits six months after the trade, he could fetch more — $124 million over two years, according to Charania.
A trade that involves Randle (needs to opt in), DiVincenzo and Mike Conley for Durant works salary-wise. But it all depends on what the Suns are looking for in exchange for Durant.
Pat Riley Hints at Kevin Durant Trade
Heat president Pat Riley hinted at a potential run for Durant during his end-of-season press conference, referencing the gamble the Golden State Warriors did with Jimmy Butler.
“I think if you take a look at the Warriors, with Draymond [Green], Steph [Curry] and Jimmy, you’ve got three 35, 36, 37 guys,” Riley said during his end-of-season press conference. “It’s a perfect time for them.
“I think an aging great, great player who may not be able to carry a team, together they can rise to the occasion in the playoffs. Steph’s injury might hurt them [the Warriors] a little bit, but I saw something very unique with that team. For us, yes, if that player is the right name and the contract is the right length, I still think that an aging player can play. Look at LeBron [James].”
Durant, who will turn 37 this September, is still among the elite players in the league. The 15-time NBA All-Star averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 62 games.
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