Report: Suns Trying to Direct Kevin Durant Toward One Possible Trade
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Over the last couple of weeks, the NBA rumor mill has been on fire with news and speculation surrounding Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant.
At this point, it seems to be a foregone conclusion that Durant will be playing elsewhere during the 2025-26 season. While there is a chance that could change, the Suns seem motivated to trade Durant and the 36-year-old superstar seems to want a new place to play.
With that being said, Phoenix will still need to find a trade that it likes and Durant will need to be willing to play with and stay with that team.
Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns looks on in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on March 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns looks on in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on March 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo byCurrently, the most likely destinations that Durant would like to play for are the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. However, the Suns are not liking the trade offers they're receiving from those teams.
Read more: Spurs Linked as Suitor for Blockbuster Trade With Celtics
There is one team that Phoenix does seem interested in working with.
That team is none other than the Minnesota Timberwolves, but there is one problem. Durant has been very clear that he's not interested in playing for the Timberwolves.
Despite his lack of current interest in Minnesota, the Suns are reportedly trying to direct him towards having interest in playing for the Timberwolves. Minnesota has been in the Western Conference Finals in each of the last two years.
According to a report from NBA insider Sam Amick, Phoenix would like Durant to open up to a trade to the Timberwolves.
"(They Suns) clearly don't like what they're hearing from San Antonio, Houston and Miami. Kevin has made it clear in different conversations that, at times anyway, that he was really focused on the Spurs. They're not showing a ton of incentive to get a deal done," Amick said.
"Phase two, to me, of these talks is that the Suns clearly like what they could possibly get out of Minnesota, but the Wolves are not gonna play that game at all unless they are confident that Kevin wants to come. Phoenix is almost trying to nudge him in that direction. ... I still feel like we're a little ways away."
Read more: Pacers' TJ McConnell Makes Massive NBA Finals History
Durant would be a huge step towards contention for any team that acquires him. He's still one of the best scorers in the NBA.
During the 2024-25 season with the Suns, he averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, while shooting 52.7 percent overall and 43 percent from three-point range.
It will be interesting to see what the coming days and possibly weeks have in store when it comes to Durant. For now, the talks are ongoing with no clear direction.
For more on the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant, and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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