The Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant are set to part ways, and it appears a trade could take place in a couple of days. NBA insider Shams Charania discussed the timeline for a Durant trade during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show and also revealed that three teams are currently leading the race.
“You said a week, I think it could be even sooner than that,” Charania said. “I think there’s some motivation with some teams, potentially even sooner than seven days. Maybe the next few days, we could get some Kevin Durant trade action. There is some serious traction on conversations, on trade scenarios with the Suns.
“They’ve had about six to eight teams reach out,” Charania continued. “There’s been interest. There’s been some offers. There’s been some negotiations, but really in the last 24-48 hours I’m told the focus of the Suns’ conversation has been on few of the teams, and here they are: the Houston Rockets, the Miami Heat, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.”
Charania had previously reported that five teams had emerged as the main suitors for Durant. The Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves were all part of that group, along with the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks.
The Spurs and the Knicks appear to have dropped out now, and it’s a bit of a surprise that the former isn’t in the running. Bill Simmons had hinted that Durant’s move to San Antonio had already been finalized in secret. There was a lot of buzz surrounding the Spurs, but it seems like they’re going in another direction.
Durant would have been a great stylistic fit with the Spurs, but then again, that would be the case almost regardless of where he goes. The 36-year-old can fit in any system and is arguably the most malleable superstar in NBA history.
Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game for the Suns in 2024-25. The 15-time All-Star was very efficient, too, as he shot 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from beyond the arc.
The Suns still finished with a woeful 36-46 record, though, and Durant faced a lot of criticism for his team’s struggles. His value was evident, however, when he wasn’t playing, as they were 3-17 without him.
Durant is still a great player, and he’d make a positive impact on the Rockets, Heat, and Timberwolves. The question, though, is how much these teams would have to give up for him.
The Rockets reportedly would have to part with Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. for Durant. Would they want to give up two of their promising young talents? Time will tell.
As for the other two, a four-team mock trade was proposed that sends Durant to the Timberwolves. We also came up with a trade proposal that would see the Heat land Durant.
Wherever Durant ends up, he’d be hoping his time there proves to be better than this stint with the Suns. He arrived via trade from the Brooklyn Nets in 2023 with hopes of winning his third title, but hasn’t even come close to hoisting that Larry O’Brien Trophy again.
The Suns lost in six games to the Denver Nuggets in the Conference Semifinals in 2023 and were then swept by the Timberwolves in the first round in 2024. They didn’t even make the play-in tournament this time around, and a parting of ways this summer was in the best interests of both parties.
