AKevin Durant–Anthony Edwards in Minnesota will be a fearsome duo. That is, if the Timberwolves are going to win the Durant sweepstakes.
ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that talks between the Phoenix Suns and Durant’s business partner, Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, have ramped up this past week.
They have met “multiple times over the past week and are sifting through trade scenarios.”
“Teams that have expressed interest in Durant, sources said, mainly feature the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks. Several wild-card suitors have made inquiries on Durant in the past seven to 10 days, sources said,” Charania wrote.
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.”
What the Timberwolves Offer Could Look Like
GettyAnthony Edwards and Julius Randle during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder on May 24, 2025.
The Timberwolves are known for making big swings, which helped them reach the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.
“If you look at Tim Connelly, he made the big [Rudy] Gobert trade, he made the big trading [Towns] for Julius Randle and [Donte] DiVincenzo,” Windhorst said. “He likes to make [big trades].”
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.
If they go for a pick-centered package, the Timberwolves will be at a great disadvantage. But if the Suns want to remain competitive and surround their longtime franchise star Devin Booker with win-now pieces, Randle, DiVincenzo and Conley could help.
Anthony Edwards’ Strong Connection With Kevin Durant
Getty Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a slam dunk against Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns.
The Timberwolves have the biggest motivation to trade for the 15-time NBA All-Star. Not only will the two-time Finals MVP elevate them into championship contender status, but he is also Edwards’ favorite player.
The Timberwolves star admitted he had mixed emotions after he led the Timberwolves in sweeping Durant and the Suns in the first round of the playoffs last year.
“I felt bad a little bit, only because he’s my favorite player of all time,” Edwards said at the time. “I didn’t wanna send him home like that.”
They later teamed up in Team USA’s gold medal run in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Will they team up again this time in the NBA?
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