Heat, Timberwolves Expected To Show Trade Interest In Kevin Durant

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves are two teams who are expected to show interest in trading for Kevin Durant this offseason, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

Pat Riley stated on Friday that Heat probably would not run it back with the same players next year. 

The Rockets have been considered "less likely" to pursue a deal for Durant. 

New Suns general manager Brian Gregory also hinted that the team could keep Durant heading into next season. 

Via Marc Stein & Jake Fischer/The Stein Line

[pushfloater]

Twolves better not give up McDaniels!!

[Pickled Prunes]

Twolves better not give up McDaniels!!

Doubtful. A KD run would have a 1-2 year window and would likely be followed by a rebuild. I don't see that making any sense over the option of continuing to build around Ant. The one possibility would be a deal centered around Gobert. Naz becomes the starting center in MIN and Gobert anchors the D behind Booker and Beal. I Honestly think this would help PHX more than MIN and wouldn't make either team a contender.

[Rebound Mound]

Not to forget that Gobert is becoming older and Conley probably has not much left in the tank to be the starting PG of a championship team.
All in all, these are all rumors. If the Wolves get to the WCF and even to the NBA Finals, they are not going to pursue KD or any other player, I guess.

If I am the Suns, I could ask for Gobert and McDaniels and it is a pity Beal has Edwards there, because getting rid of him would be nice. KD and Beal and Booker deserve to play en freezing Minny to appreciate what playing and effort means.

[Rek]

Twolves better not give up McDaniels!!

Doubtful. A KD run would have a 1-2 year window and would likely be followed by a rebuild. I don't see that making any sense over the option of continuing to build around Ant. The one possibility would be a deal centered around Gobert. Naz becomes the starting center in MIN and Gobert anchors the D behind Booker and Beal. I Honestly think this would help PHX more than MIN and wouldn't make either team a contender.

I expect the same. Either PHX takes on Gobert, or they include a third team to take on his remaining contract. Move Naz to starter and sign someone like Capela or Sharpe as backup.

I could see them including Randle instead if there is interest. But Julius has bought in and is playing legit defense for the first time in his career. I think they try to keep him.

[WestbrookGOATed]

Pat Riley is an idiot. Rebuild already dude.

[Vegeta10176]

Twolves better not give up McDaniels!!

KD would be a good fit for they need another top line scorer and a guy that can't shoot and KD fits the bill they have to give up some players that actually could help the suns so not a trade partner but who would be the question.. Randle would be the number 1 guy to give up if you could..

[Vegeta10176]

Not to forget that Gobert is becoming older and Conley probably has not much left in the tank to be the starting PG of a championship team.
All in all, these are all rumors. If the Wolves get to the WCF and even to the NBA Finals, they are not going to pursue KD or any other player, I guess.

If I am the Suns, I could ask for Gobert and McDaniels and it is a pity Beal has Edwards there, because getting rid of him would be nice. KD and Beal and Booker deserve to play en freezing Minny to appreciate what playing and effort means.

Giving up Randle would be better got Minney imagine they can give up say Randle and Conley and some draft assest for KD.. They need shooting thats for sure.. Conley is probably getting past it..

[Vegeta10176]

Twolves better not give up McDaniels!!

Doubtful. A KD run would have a 1-2 year window and would likely be followed by a rebuild. I don't see that making any sense over the option of continuing to build around Ant. The one possibility would be a deal centered around Gobert. Naz becomes the starting center in MIN and Gobert anchors the D behind Booker and Beal. I Honestly think this would help PHX more than MIN and wouldn't make either team a contender.

I expect the same. Either PHX takes on Gobert, or they include a third team to take on his remaining contract. Move Naz to starter and sign someone like Capela or Sharpe as backup.

I could see them including Randle instead if there is interest. But Julius has bought in and is playing legit defense for the first time in his career. I think they try to keep him.

Randle would be the guy I'd try to get off and maybe Conley and include whatever draft assest they have which isn't much for KD and they likely need a third team to even make it happen given the cap situations.. A shooter like KD is what Minny need they have a top line defence and KD is a capable defender but they need shooting and KD would bring that.. And his an end of game option they currently don't have.. It would give them more ways to play than they even have now I think that would make them a genuine contender.. However if they have to give up Mcdaniels or even gorbert I am not sure that makes them a winning team..

[Pickled Prunes]

Doubtful. A KD run would have a 1-2 year window and would likely be followed by a rebuild. I don't see that making any sense over the option of continuing to build around Ant. The one possibility would be a deal centered around Gobert. Naz becomes the starting center in MIN and Gobert anchors the D behind Booker and Beal. I Honestly think this would help PHX more than MIN and wouldn't make either team a contender.

I expect the same. Either PHX takes on Gobert, or they include a third team to take on his remaining contract. Move Naz to starter and sign someone like Capela or Sharpe as backup.

I could see them including Randle instead if there is interest. But Julius has bought in and is playing legit defense for the first time in his career. I think they try to keep him.

Randle would be the guy I'd try to get off and maybe Conley and include whatever draft assest they have which isn't much for KD and they likely need a third team to even make it happen given the cap situations.. A shooter like KD is what Minny need they have a top line defence and KD is a capable defender but they need shooting and KD would bring that.. And his an end of game option they currently don't have.. It would give them more ways to play than they even have now I think that would make them a genuine contender.. However if they have to give up Mcdaniels or even gorbert I am not sure that makes them a winning team..

They don't need to "get off" Randle or Conley. They do need a long term upgrade at PG but Conley is still solid for an old man and would be great to hang onto as a backup. Randle is tough to trade as well, because he is better than his reputation and his trade value is set by that reputation. In other words, he's better than the return they would get in a trade for him. If PHX took him on, they would negotiate like he was a negative trade asset, even though I believe he would be a good fit in PHX.

I don't think KD is the answer in MIN. They should be looking for younger depth and a PG. Let KD retire in MIA. He won't win anything there, but at least it's warm!

[Vegeta10176]

I expect the same. Either PHX takes on Gobert, or they include a third team to take on his remaining contract. Move Naz to starter and sign someone like Capela or Sharpe as backup.

I could see them including Randle instead if there is interest. But Julius has bought in and is playing legit defense for the first time in his career. I think they try to keep him.

Randle would be the guy I'd try to get off and maybe Conley and include whatever draft assest they have which isn't much for KD and they likely need a third team to even make it happen given the cap situations.. A shooter like KD is what Minny need they have a top line defence and KD is a capable defender but they need shooting and KD would bring that.. And his an end of game option they currently don't have.. It would give them more ways to play than they even have now I think that would make them a genuine contender.. However if they have to give up Mcdaniels or even gorbert I am not sure that makes them a winning team..

They don't need to "get off" Randle or Conley. They do need a long term upgrade at PG but Conley is still solid for an old man and would be great to hang onto as a backup. Randle is tough to trade as well, because he is better than his reputation and his trade value is set by that reputation. In other words, he's better than the return they would get in a trade for him. If PHX took him on, they would negotiate like he was a negative trade asset, even though I believe he would be a good fit in PHX.

I don't think KD is the answer in MIN. They should be looking for younger depth and a PG. Let KD retire in MIA. He won't win anything there, but at least it's warm!

Conley would only be good as a back up PG if your paying him the vet minimum then sure why not.. Yes if Randle is treated as a negative assest your right they would have hard time but KD would be a perfect fit for the wolves who need a guy who can score and not totally change the offence.. The defenders already and adding KD the wolves could win the whole thing.. Looking for younger depth is ridiculous you get that only from the draft you cant get young contending players noone let's them go or if they did cost a fortune in assests when your close to a title you need to got get a vet to add to the team to win.. Boston got KP and Jrue Holiday those guys were vets not young players.. This insane notion that your going to pick up young players that can help you contend is asinine.. Wolves also have very little trade assests KD could be cheap for his actual value so that is the only reason the wolves are in this conversation

[Pickled Prunes]

Randle would be the guy I'd try to get off and maybe Conley and include whatever draft assest they have which isn't much for KD and they likely need a third team to even make it happen given the cap situations.. A shooter like KD is what Minny need they have a top line defence and KD is a capable defender but they need shooting and KD would bring that.. And his an end of game option they currently don't have.. It would give them more ways to play than they even have now I think that would make them a genuine contender.. However if they have to give up Mcdaniels or even gorbert I am not sure that makes them a winning team..

They don't need to "get off" Randle or Conley. They do need a long term upgrade at PG but Conley is still solid for an old man and would be great to hang onto as a backup. Randle is tough to trade as well, because he is better than his reputation and his trade value is set by that reputation. In other words, he's better than the return they would get in a trade for him. If PHX took him on, they would negotiate like he was a negative trade asset, even though I believe he would be a good fit in PHX.

I don't think KD is the answer in MIN. They should be looking for younger depth and a PG. Let KD retire in MIA. He won't win anything there, but at least it's warm!

Conley would only be good as a back up PG if your paying him the vet minimum then sure why not.. Yes if Randle is treated as a negative assest your right they would have hard time but KD would be a perfect fit for the wolves who need a guy who can score and not totally change the offence.. The defenders already and adding KD the wolves could win the whole thing.. Looking for younger depth is ridiculous you get that only from the draft you cant get young contending players noone let's them go or if they did cost a fortune in assests when your close to a title you need to got get a vet to add to the team to win.. Boston got KP and Jrue Holiday those guys were vets not young players.. This insane notion that your going to pick up young players that can help you contend is asinine.. Wolves also have very little trade assests KD could be cheap for his actual value so that is the only reason the wolves are in this conversation

On Conley: Yes, I mentioned that they should try and keep him in a reserve role. But on a minimum? No need to be disrespectful. He doesn't have the legs to give them much more than 24 minutes, but he is still important for them. I seriously doubt they could find a better backup PG in the NBA. Here's an article for you: https://www.nba.com/news/the-athletic-mike-conley-timberwolves-defensive-identity

On KD: His one on one offense is still elite, but through his entire career it has been your-turn-my-turn offense. I can just picture Ant standing on the weak side waiting for his turn. I don't think that gets them there. And that one, $55m player could be three $15-20m players. Even Randle at $30m and another $25m player would likely be better than adding KD. And even if KD is great for another two years, he becomes an untradeable asset when he retires, leaving a void in the roster. Nobody wants to get caught holding that bag.

[ProcessDoctor]

I kinda hate the fit for Minny. If anything, they need to upgrade Conley and not McDaniels/Randle, who I think fit well there.

I think Miami will do it, but he's not the player he once was. I think it will end up being something like Wiggins/Robinson/2025 GSW 1st/2029 MIA 1st for Durant.

[shrink]

They need shooting thats for sure.

The playoffs might make people forget, but MIN was top five in the league this year in 3PA, 3PM, and 3P%.

[shrink]

FWIW, my insider in the Wolves front office told me that when Mike Conley negotiated his extension last summer, one of his main priorities was to finish his career in Minnesota, and not have to move his family again. Tim Connelly gave him a handshake deal that he wouldn’t be traded without his approval. Mike is still a team leader, a culture setter, and one of the most respected players in the NBA. I strongly feel he would only be traded if he wanted to retire. Players can call it quits for any reason, but while he isn’t the Mike of five years ago and would need a smaller role, he is still a legit NBA player that can help the Wolves on and off the court.