The Houston Rockets had no problem giving up a package including former No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green (their leading scorer) as well as a host of draft selections when they agreed to a blockbuster trade with the Phoenix Suns to land Kevin Durant.
There was reportedly at least one other western conference team that was involved in many Durant trade rumors over the spring that had numerous worries about pulling the trigger on a deal, however.
HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto wrote on Monday that the Minnesota Timberwolves had at least two reasons for their concerns.
“The Minnesota Timberwolves had multiple concerns about trading for Kevin Durant, which is partly why the 15-time All-Star didn’t land with the organization after making an aggressive pitch for him at the trade deadline,” Scotto said. “The Timberwolves were concerned about trading for Durant when Minnesota wasn’t on his preferred list of destinations.”
It was reported in mid-June that both the Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs were generating the “most buzz” in the Durant sweepstakes. However, less than one week later, it was also reported that the Rockets, Spurs and Miami Heat were the 15-time All-Star’s preferred destinations.
Timberwolves Didn’t Want to Give up 3-Time All-Star in Durant Trade
According to Scotto, Minnesota also had pause in further pursuing Durant when it was revealed that Phoenix was targeting three-time All-Star center Rudy Gobert in return.
“In addition, the Suns desired Rudy Gobert in trade talks, and losing their French defensive anchor to pair Julius Randle and Kevin Durant in the frontcourt together wasn’t seen as an ideal pairing defensively, HoopsHype has learned,” Scotto wrote.
Gobert had a rough 2024-25 campaign, as his 12.0 points per game were his fewest in nine years, his 10.7 rebounds per contest were his fewest in seven seasons and his 1.4 blocks per tilt was tied for his lowest average since his 2013-14 rookie campaign. After winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award last year, he finished 13th in the voting this season.
Still, Gobert averaged a double-double for the ninth straight season, is an elite defender and is five years Durant’s junior at 32 years old.
Suns ‘Aggressively Targeted’ Rudy Gobert, Other Centers During Durant Trade Discussions
Per Scotto, Gobert wasn’t the only big man that the Suns were going after during Durant trade negotiations.
“The Suns aggressively targeted starting center upgrades during Durant talks, including trying to pry Rudy Gobert, Jakob Poeltl, and Kel’el Ware and could continue to look to upgrade at the position,” he wrote.
Scotto added that 27-year-old big man Nick Richards is “expected” to have his $5 million non-guaranteed salary guaranteed by the team for next season. Richards averaged 9.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 22.7 minutes per game across 36 contests (34 starts) while shooting 60.5% from the field during the 2024-25 campaign.
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