Kevin Durant’s looming exit from Phoenix has taken another twist. According to NBA insider Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, Durant privately expressed interest in being traded to either the Boston Celtics or New York Knicks during the February 2025 trade deadline. While the Suns held on to him through the season, the revelations now add context to his seemingly inevitable departure this summer.
“There were rumblings at the trade deadline KD wanted to land with the Celtics or Knicks. New York’s interest reportedly isn’t mutual anymore. Boston’s cap sheet and trajectory make that scenario highly unlikely.”
At the time, both teams were thriving. The Celtics had championship aspirations with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading a stacked roster, while the Knicks were rising fast under Tom Thibodeau. Neither franchise wanted to risk disrupting chemistry. However, hindsight may have changed some perspectives.
Boston collapsed in the second round to the Knicks, and the series took a devastating turn in Game 4 when Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon. Without their leader, the Celtics lost in six games and exited the playoffs. Durant’s presence, in retrospect, may have salvaged their title hopes or at least softened the blow of losing Tatum.
Still, with Tatum now potentially out for all of next season and Boston’s payroll reaching historic levels, the Celtics are looking to shed salary, not add a $50 million superstar.
As for the Knicks, they defeated Boston but were promptly exposed in the Eastern Conference Finals by a faster and deeper Pacers team. New York’s offense dried up, and defensively, they had no answer for Indiana’s spread attack.
That playoff failure led to Thibodeau’s firing and a sudden shift in their future plans. While New York wasn’t interested in Durant in February, that stance may now be softening.
Durant nearly joined the Knicks back in 2019 but chose the Brooklyn Nets instead. His history with the New York market is well documented, and some around the league believe a reunion with the city, this time in blue and orange, would be welcomed by both sides if Phoenix lowers its asking price.
Still, Boston appears out. Tatum’s injury and the team’s tax burden make it unlikely they revisit Durant talks. Their focus is reportedly on roster rebalancing and staying under the new punitive second apron.
NBA Insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson has revealed a trade scenario that would allow the Dallas Mavericks to acquire Kevin Durant, without sacrificing their prized 2025 No. 1 overall pick.
Still, the Mavericks aren’t one of Durant’s three preferred destinations. According to multiple reports, Durant has only expressed long-term interest in the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat. Each team has young talent and cap space to craft strong trade packages.
The Spurs are said to have “heavy mutual interest” and already submitted an offer, which was reportedly rejected. The Timberwolves were also involved, but talks collapsed when they refused to include Jaden McDaniels. Durant reportedly has no interest in Minnesota regardless.
A new wild card has emerged in the Toronto Raptors. League sources suggest the Raptors could attempt a “Kawhi-style” surprise move, banking on their market, depth, and playoff credibility to win Durant over after the trade.
As for Dallas, the wildcard is Kyrie Irving. His long-standing friendship with Durant could pull strings behind the scenes. If the Mavericks can land KD while keeping Flagg, it could reshape the Western Conference overnight.
Durant’s next chapter is coming, just not where he originally hoped.
