6 Kevin Durant trade packages from his biggest suitors, ranked by best fit

For months, the worst stored secret within the NBA has been that Kevin Durant goes to get traded as quickly because the offseason arrives. With the 2025 NBA Finals nearing a conclusion and the NBA Draft proper across the nook on June 25, the Phoenix Suns are zeroing in on affords for Durant, and a conclusion is predicted quickly.

ESPN insider Shams Charania reported final week that 5 groups have been within the working for Durant: the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Warmth, and New York Knicks. On Saturday, Durant launched an inventory of his most popular touchdown spots, naming Houston, San Antonio, and Miami. Charania reported that the Suns are decided to make one of the best deal for themselves no matter what Durant needs, and stated there at the moment are 6-8 groups fascinated with making a proposal. The Toronto Raptors are one other crew reported to have curiosity.

The NBA has already had one blockbuster commerce to begin the summer season flurry earlier than the Finals even finish. A Durant commerce is probably going simply across the nook. Listed here are some pretend Durant trades we got here up with for his six largest suitors, and the way we’d rank his greatest touchdown spots.

6. New York Knicks

Would the Knicks actually get out of the Karl-Anthony Cities expertise after just one fairly profitable season? KAT was spectacular offensively for New York on the way in which to their deepest playoff run in 25 years, and he might be an interesting return for a Suns crew that may’t tank with out management of their first spherical picks by way of 2032. For as particular as KAT will be as an offensive participant, he brings two points that decision the Knicks’ championship ceiling into query: a) he’s a poor defender that struggles to outlive in lineups alongside co-star Jalen Brunson, and b) he has an infinite contract with three years, $171 remaining. Durant is about to show 37 years previous, however he’s nonetheless an elite shooter and scorer who might play off Brunson’s scoring gravity successfully and stability out lineups. The Knicks would out of the blue be extraordinarily reliant on Mitchell Robinson, and that’s a difficult proposition. I’ve a tough time believing this deal actually makes New York higher. The Knicks ought to in all probability fear about hiring a head coach first earlier than swinging one other blockbuster commerce.

5. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors as soon as swung a commerce for a celebrity on an expiring contract, and it instantly resulted in a championship. It’s a tempting thought to strive it once more, however sadly this model of the Raptors is mired in mediocrity, not one transfer away like they have been with Kawhi Leonard. Toronto needs to be poised to take a step subsequent yr after including Brandon Ingram, but it surely’s nonetheless onerous to see a excessive ceiling on their present core. Including Durant with out giving up Barnes or the No. 9 total choose within the 2025 NBA Draft would a minimum of make them much more attention-grabbing subsequent yr. The Raptors actually need a shooter of Durant’s caliber after ending No. 29 in three-point charge final season. KD has all the time taken fewer threes than he ought to, however he nonetheless knocked down 43 p.c of six makes an attempt per sport final season. I’m extremely skeptical Toronto can be adequate to interrupt by way of within the East even with Durant, however they’ve the items to make a severe supply in the event that they wish to.

4. Miami Warmth

The Warmth solely gained 37 video games this season, however that was nonetheless sufficient to make the playoffs, the place they received completely smashed within the first spherical by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Pat Riley is determined to land one other star after buying and selling away Jimmy Butler, and pairing Durant with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo makes some sense. It will be painful for Miami to incorporate promising rookie huge man Kel’el Ware on this commerce, however Phoenix ought to demand he’s included. It will be simple to nonetheless query the ceiling of Miami after this deal, however Erik Spoelstra has completed extra with much less earlier than. It feels just like the Warmth are essentially the most determined suitor, and that makes them a wildcard to actually push their chips in.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves reportedly tried to land Durant at Feb.’s commerce deadline, they usually might be much more motivated now after two straight convention finals eliminations. Any Durant deal both must be constructed round Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle, and the latter holds a participant choice for subsequent season. I don’t see how swapping Gobert for Durant improves Minnesota’s title fairness, so we’re going with Randle right here and can assume a 3rd crew will assist make the commerce authorized. Swapping Randle for Durant instantly makes the Wolves’ beginning lineup a lot extra dynamic offensively. Durant was Anthony Edwards’ idol rising up, and two of them needs to be an unstoppable scoring at their greatest (in fact, we thought the identical factor would occur when Durant joined Devin Booker). Minnesota already has a pair fascinating selections looming this offseason as Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid enter free company. If the Wolves are decided to make a giant transfer, there’s a pathway to a Durant deal.

2. Houston Rockets

The Rockets have been essentially the most nice shock of the common season, capturing as much as the No. 2 seed within the West by profitable 52 video games. Houston gained due to an elite protection, however their offensive limitations confirmed up within the playoffs throughout a first-round loss to the Warriors. The Rockets are in prime place to push some future draft picks in for a star scorer. Is Durant a worthy goal, or are they higher off ready for Giannis and even Devin Booker? The perfect factor concerning the potential Durant supply listed above is that it doesn’t embrace Phoenix’s future first spherical picks owned by the Rockets in 2027 and 2029. Houston ought to have sufficient ammo to get this completed with out together with the belongings Phoenix will really need. Parting with Jabari Smith Jr. can be robust, but it surely’s a good piece to ship out for Durant. Jalen Inexperienced will probably be addition by subtraction. Durant would do rather a lot to help Houston’s lack of capturing, however I nonetheless suppose their excellent star addition can be extra of an on-ball creator than an off-ball sniper. The considered touchdown Durant whereas nonetheless retaining the Suns’ future picks needs to be fairly interesting for Houston, they usually could make it occur.

1. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs and Rockets are in the identical state of affairs: ought to they swing for Durant or probably maintain out for a good greater supply for Giannis. On condition that it seems like Giannis is leaning in direction of staying in Milwaukee for now, a Durant commerce makes numerous sense and gained’t price you the rights to Dylan Harper with the No. 2 total choose. If San Antonio is actually going to encompass Victor Wembanyama with three shaky shooters in Harper, Stephon Fort, and De’Aaron Fox, Durant is the perfect participant to spherical out that lineup. KD would in all probability should commerce in a couple of of his beloved mid-range makes an attempt for extra three-pointers in San Antonio, however the match might be actually cool. Wembanyama and Durant would kind a devastating two-man sport, and work effectively in a stagger to fill out different lineups. There’s a model of this commerce San Antonio might additionally do constructed round Devin Vassell, however the Spurs ought to attempt to cling on to him if attainable. Wembanyama nonetheless wants extra elite expertise round him, and Durant might be a bridge for the Spurs into respectable playoff rivalry whereas nonetheless staying versatile for the longer term.