Which (Playoff) Team Should Aggressively Chase a Kevin Durant Trade?

[durden_tyler]

This has been a running joke for virtually every eliminated team these playoffs but actually makes sense for some/most considering KD's situation in Phoenix. A player who likely wants to leave and play for a contender and a team who might already be deciding to rebuild/reload and use KD's contract for probable future resources. And one way or the other, obviously Durant (with whatever value you put him at) still warrants interest with the recently eliminated teams.

So which team is best fit for and with KD; consider his age and timeline and of course how he changes the dynamic of that new team. We are only limiting the options to recently eliminated playoff teams since assumption is these are the teams that were good enough to make the playoffs but were not great enough to go deep/all the way and maybe, the addition of KD will push them to that next level or even help them bring a ring or at least clsoe to it.

In the poll will only mention key (high-salaried) players only but players and picks may be added to match salary and get more equal value. Durant's salary for 25-26 is $54,708,609 (expiring contract).

Denver Nuggets (MPJ - $39M/year, 2 years left, Westbrook -$3.5M/expiring, Saric - $5.4M/expiring, Watson- 4.4M/expiring)
Minnesota Timberwolves (McDaniels - $29M/4 years, DiVincenzo - $11.5M/2 years, Conley - $10M/expiring)
Houston Rockets (Green - $35M/year, 3 years left, Brooks $20M/year/2 years left)
Miami Heat (Wiggins - $29M/2 years left, Rozier - $26M/expiring)
Detroit Pistons (Harris - $26.6M/expiring, Ivey - $10.1M/expiring, Stewart - $15M/year, 3 years left)
New York Knicks (KAT - $57M/year, 3 years (Just funny that they almost make the same amount. )
Orlando Magic (Suggs - $33M/year, 5 years left, KCP $21M/year, 2 years left)

Now am not saying that the players mentioned above will be the ones involved in a potential KD trade but rather just as a working structure of a deal considering the total salary needed (even then CBA rules apply, etc)) but which team NEEDS Kevin Durant at this point of their timeline in trying to get to win a title? Plus which team actually should considering in getting a near-40 year old Durant if they think they are one step away from the title (but mortgaging their future)

[NBA_is_cringe]

doesn't matter; he sucks

[G R E Y]

I think there's word of mutual interest between Spurs and KD. We had February trade deadline discussions.

But then I heard mutual interest between Ant and KD playing together. So who knows.

But there's at least one other team linked to KD in addition to what's on that list.

He's making Giannis range money. But would likely re-sign for a shorter term. If this expired in time for Wemby's extension, both that and the lower cost to acquire KD vs. Giannis makes it worth exploring.

But really if we got involved in a three way that landed Giannis wherever and we ended up somehow with Murphy III or Herb Jones that would be amazing.

[Raps in 4]

Milwaukee and Denver are the only contenders whose star players are over 30, so them. They don't have much time left to win another title. But they also don't have any assets.

The young teams shouldn't be wasting assets on a guy who has maybe just 1-2 good years left. Current KD is a top-20 player still, but he isn't someone who can win you a title on his own, or even get you into the playoffs.

[BigGargamel]

I'd obviously do that Denver trade in half a second. The Suns wouldn't.

[pushfloater]

I love KD, but I’m not sure how much he’ll make a team better at this point. The only team that makes sense to me is the Nuggets (probably can’t trade for him), Knicks (would probably still lose in ECF), Spurs (lost in the first round, 2nd round max). I wish he could get a chip fair and square. He’s an excellent player who won’t get the credit he deserves because of that Warriors move.

[NZB2323]

The Rockets need a scorer.

[Dr Aki]

Considering the amount of salary you need to give up just to get him, I'm not sure he moves the needle unless Phoenix are willing to take on an albatross contract

[sp6r=underrated]

I'd obviously do that Denver trade in half a second. The Suns wouldn't.

I think Durant has been overrated for years but I still value him more than this:

MPJ - $39M/year, 2 years left, Westbrook -$3.5M/expiring, Saric - $5.4M/expiring, Watson.

LOL

[rand]

KD makes too much money. Few teams can match the salary needed without sending out so much win-now value that the needle won't move.

[jkvonny]

TWolves need a playmaker, scorer. Vet.

Same with Pacers, if he heads East.

[levon]

A team looking to get out from under a contract and enter 2026 free agency. The Knicks with KAT? KAT and Book reunited? KD back to New York?

[JDR720]

KD to the Knicks for Bridges would be funny.

[Hook_Em]

He’d make a difference for everyone depending on what they’d have to give up.

[ball_takes23]

KD makes too much money. Few teams can match the salary needed without sending out so much win-now value that the needle won't move.

Rockets and Magic could both offer packages around Jalen Green/Jalen Suggs and still stay competitive. Those are the only two that really make sense.

[sammo89]

Non contenders who want a walking highlight reel to put butts in seats. KD cares a lot about basketball, but he doesn't care enough about losing

[Alatan]

He would fit right into the role MPJ was supposed to fill. To bad the Nuggets dont have much to offer.

[CodeBreaker]

KD + Jokic would be more ridiculous than Curry/KD

[MrPainfulTruth]

Find a way to bring him to Denver; give up MPJ and Murray

[CodeBreaker]

Murray + MPJ for KD + supplementary assets

who says no?