Wolves, Heat, Knicks, Spurs, Rockets Among Potential Trade Partners For Kevin Durant

[RealGM Wiretap]

There are several teams who are expected have interest in a Kevin Durant trade this offseason as the Phoenix Suns will likely work together on his exit. The Suns have had a disappointing pair of seasons since adding Bradley Beal to their star core of Durant and Devin Booker. 

While the Golden State Warriors were among the most notable teams to pursue a trade for Durant at the deadline, there was a number of other teams with interest that might be more mutual in the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, reports Shams Charania.

"Back at the NBA trade deadline in February, Minnesota, Miami, New York, San Antonio and Houston were among the team, I'm told, there was mutual interest between Durant and those teams," said Charania. "I expect those teams and potentially other to be back in the fray this summer."

Durant will be eligible for a two-year, $120 million extension this coming offseason. Durant is on an expiring contract and will be have at least some modicum of control over the process. 

Via Shams Charania/ESPN

[meekrab]

But why?

[Pickled Prunes]

The Suns have had a disappointing pair of seasons since adding Bradley Beal to their star core of Durant and Devin Booker.

I am pretty tired of the Beal shaming! Yes, he's overpaid; we get it... but he didn't make the trade for PHX, they traded for him! If it didn't work out (and it clearly didn't) it is the Suns' fault, not his. He is statistically the same player he has always been, and just a slight bit more efficient. And KD had only played 8 regular season games with PHX before the Beal trade. It's not like he was added to a perpetual dynasty.

The bigger failure is that PHX undervalued CP3, Ayton and even role players like Payne and Craig. They traded everything away to save a buck and left them without an NBA level PG, an old center and no depth. People need to quit writing the same story about this debacle being Beal (or Nurk's) fault. That is lazy writing and it overlooks the obvious truth... This team failed because of the roster construction. You can point to the Beal trade as the moment of departure, but you can't put the blame on the players that were thrust into this situation. This was a team building failure, not a player failure.

[Merit]

I happen to think that Beal will thrive when KD leaves.

[jstudabaka]

Knicks fan here. No interest in becoming Phoenix Suns-East.

[TheCage4]

The Knicks only have to look across a bridge to see what KD brings to a NY franchise.

[Bolsolixo]

The only way he could became a Knick would be for the veteran minimun. No trade pieces

[dantas]

OKC has the pieces for a trade, but they may not want to enter the fray because Durant played there but didn't build a strong bond with the team and the city. Unlike Lebron with the Cavs.

[TimeisIllmatic]

I think Houston tried to get him before Phoenix so wouldn't be surprised if he lands there.

[Kent]

If H-Town were to land him, they would have had the original OKC big 3 at various points in their history.

[Pickled Prunes]

OKC has the pieces for a trade, but they may not want to enter the fray because Durant played there but didn't build a strong bond with the team and the city. Unlike Lebron with the Cavs.

I think that's a personality thing. Lebron plays it up to the fans and forms connection everywhere he goes. They loved him in CLE and he bailed; they loved him in MIA and he bailed; they loved him in CLE again and he bailed again; they love him in LAL. He is both loved and hated but very few people are indifferent about Lebron.

KD wants to be loved and wants to form a connection, he just doesn't know how. Most fans know he's great but could take him or leave him. He clearly loves the game more than he loves his fans, and I respect that... in an indifferent sort of way.

In the end it's about basketball. KD might make OKC better, but for how long?

[Barcs]

This isn't news, this is a guessing game. Nobody's allowed to comment on potentially trading in the off season, that's tampering.

Who are the Knicks going to trade for KD????

[Cassius]

This isn't news, this is a guessing game. Nobody's allowed to comment on potentially trading in the off season, that's tampering.

Who are the Knicks going to trade for KD????

Ironically, Mikal Bridges.

[Barcs]

This isn't news, this is a guessing game. Nobody's allowed to comment on potentially trading in the off season, that's tampering.

Who are the Knicks going to trade for KD????

Ironically, Mikal Bridges.

That would be one of the stupidest trades in franchise history. They'd have to take on more salary for a guy that's pushing retirement soon AND have to give up more picks when they already gave 5 firsts for Bridges. I don't think the Knicks brass is that stupid.

[Cassius]

This isn't news, this is a guessing game. Nobody's allowed to comment on potentially trading in the off season, that's tampering.

Who are the Knicks going to trade for KD????

Ironically, Mikal Bridges.

That would be one of the stupidest trades in franchise history. They'd have to take on more salary for a guy that's pushing retirement soon AND have to give up more picks when they already gave 5 firsts for Bridges. I don't think the Knicks brass is that stupid.

I was half-joking, but he’s the only guy New York could realistically trade. They’re not getting any more picks for a player who’ll be 37 when next season starts, if the player coming back has been as good as Bridges. That said, if the trade were to be completed before free agency (i.e. on draft night), Bridges+Robinson works from a salary standpoint. That kind of deal would cut $12M off the Suns 25-26 cap, which should be enough to get them back under the second apron.

I’m spitballing, but honestly, this wouldn’t be the worst option imaginable.