By now, the entire basketball world is aware that Kevin Durant will be traded by the Phoenix Suns. The question on everyone’s minds is where he will eventually be traded to. Kevin Durant has expressed his interest in three teams, and the Suns are obliged to give him a trade that suits his personal wishes. But they have made it clear that if the right deal can not be made, they will gladly offload KD to a team outside of that preferred destination list. According to reports, the San Antonio Spurs have shown interest in bringing KD to Texas, but they think the price is too high for the 15-time All-Star.
A trade for Kevin Durant nearly happened at the trade deadline this year.
It has been apparent that Kevin Durant is not comfortable in Phoenix. His limited playing time left in his career means that KD wants to join a team that is capable of contending for a title. The Phoenix Suns were not that team despite having the highest payroll in the NBA. The Suns were on the verge of trading Durant to the Warriors at the trade deadline, but after learning of the deal, Durant stated he did not wish to return to Golden State, and the deal fell apart.
Interest in Kevin Durant is at an all-time high at the moment.
With most teams in the NBA aiming to make major changes in their squads this offseason, the trades are due to come fast and hard. KD is a valuable asset to have for any team in the NBA, and as a result, a few suitors have emerged as the best possibilities for a Kevin Durant trade. Following the failed trade with the Warriors, it’s clear that Durant does not want to play for a team he has already played for and is searching for a new challenge.
Interest in KD is sky-high right now as several teams have shown interest in bringing the two-time champion to their squads. The teams that have shown interest are:
- Minnesota Timberwolves – Following a strong showing this year, the Wolves are looking to bolster their squad, and KD might be the last piece in a championship-winning puzzle for next year.
- Houston Rockets – The Rockets are on Kevin Durant’s preferred destination list. They have been steadily improving thanks to their young squad, which could serve as a platform for KD to elevate his game.
- San Antonio Spurs – The Spurs have been quietly biding their time. They have been pushed to the side by the more successful teams in the NBA, but we must remember they are a championship-winning organization. Not to mention, they have an era-defining player in Victor Wembanyama on their side.
What are the San Antonio Spurs’ thoughts towards a KD trade?
As the Suns are willing to work out a deal for KD that will send him to one of his preferred teams, when the Spurs came knocking, the Suns were always going to try to get a deal done. Kevin Durant will be hoping and praying that the Suns are willing to get a deal done that will enable him to join one of his preferred teams instead of the most likely target that has been reported up until now, the Timberwolves.
The latest reports have stated that while the Spurs are interested in bringing KD to Texas, they think the asking price is too high and have asked the Suns to consider reducing the asking price for KD. Kirk Goldsberry of The Ringer, who has an inside line to the details of the Suns-Spurs trade, had the following to say:
“I know our friends in San Antonio think the price is too high, and in the original discussions, including the No. 2 pick and/or Stephon Castle, are not going very well on the Spurs end of the telephone, I can tell you that,”
Will the Phoenix Suns reduce their asking price for Kevin Durant?
The number of teams interested in trading for Kevin Durant is astounding. We struggle to remember the last time a player was this highly sought after by so many top teams in the NBA. Reports are that a deal for KD is imminent, but the major targets for that deal are yet to be known. The Suns will be looking to get some trade capital and recover some budget back from their sky-high payroll. Will we see Kevin Durant alongside Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio, or will the Suns find a better deal elsewhere?
