Durant to MIN. I Say It’s Not Happening, But ..”

[shrink]

So we’re post Trade Deadline, historically the slowest period for the Trade Board, so I’ll post this. At the trade deadline, MIN inquired about Ant’s hero, Kevin Durant, and Ant maybe, might of, possibly, mentioned it at the All Star Game. Is it even possible?

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Even to make an offer, MIN needs to land under the second apron when a KD trade is finished, to be able to aggregate salaries. To simplify things here, let’s say MIN needs to send out $60 mil. How do they get there? And many of the Wolves want to be in MIN (a rarity for this franchise!), and have made contractual concessions to do it.

Randle $31 mil PO. Randle would have to want to accept that salary, and know he’d likely be sent to PHX if he signed.

Conley $11. He was given a verbal No Trade promise when he agreed to extend, because he didn’t want to move his family again.

Gobert $35. Believes he did the team a favor when he declined a $47 mil PO, for 3 year extension at $35. MIN needs him on court.

Naz Reid $15 mil PO, likely free agent. Naz avoided better offers in free agency to stay with the team. Ant buddy.

McDaniels $25 mil. McDaniels, like Ant, didn’t ask for the common fifth year player option on his new deal. Ant buddy.

DiVincenzo $12 mil. The reason for the KAT trade, backcourt starter.

Dillingham. $6.5 mil. NAW free agent.

The rest very cheap deals.


On top of this, MIN has to come up with the value to motivate PHX to trade KD to the Wolves. The only pick incentive MIN can offer are the 2025 DET 1st (17th?) and UTA 2nd (33rd?), value has to come in players.

Am I right? Not happening?

[LarsV8]

Don't see how it would be possible without moving Gobert.

[gswhoops]

Let's assume that Randle opts in, because without his salary the deal is DOA (and FWIW, with Brooklyn being the only cap space team in the offseason, he's probably better off taking the PO and trying his luck in '26 FA).

I think this structure basically works?

Minny in: KD, Allen
Minny out: Randle, McDaniels, DDV, Dillingham

PHX in: Randle, McD, Dillingham, pick(s) from third team
PHX out: KD, Allen

Third Team in: DDV (absorbed with MLE/cap space)
Third Team out: pick(s)

I'm not sure any team loves the value here but I think it works salary wise

[ReggiesKnicks]

Let's assume that Randle opts in, because without his salary the deal is DOA (and FWIW, with Brooklyn being the only cap space team in the offseason, he's probably better off taking the PO and trying his luck in '26 FA).

I think this structure basically works?

Minny in: KD, Allen
Minny out: Randle, McDaniels, DDV, Dillingham

PHX in: Randle, McD, Dillingham, pick(s) from third team
PHX out: KD, Allen

Third Team in: DDV (absorbed with MLE/cap space)
Third Team out: pick(s)

I'm not sure any team loves the value here but I think it works salary wise

I can't see Minnesota trading 4 of their Top 8 guys for an expiring, 37-year old KD.

Does your deal allow Minnesota to retain Naz Reid? If not, you have Minnesota trading 5 of its Top 8 players for 37 year-old Kevin Durant.

[gswhoops]

Let's assume that Randle opts in, because without his salary the deal is DOA (and FWIW, with Brooklyn being the only cap space team in the offseason, he's probably better off taking the PO and trying his luck in '26 FA).

I think this structure basically works?

Minny in: KD, Allen
Minny out: Randle, McDaniels, DDV, Dillingham

PHX in: Randle, McD, Dillingham, pick(s) from third team
PHX out: KD, Allen

Third Team in: DDV (absorbed with MLE/cap space)
Third Team out: pick(s)

I'm not sure any team loves the value here but I think it works salary wise

I can't see Minnesota trading 4 of their Top 8 guys for an expiring, 37-year old KD.

Does your deal allow Minnesota to retain Naz Reid? If not, you have Minnesota trading 5 of its Top 8 players for 37 year-old Kevin Durant.

I tend to agree honestly. I don't think there's a deal that both makes sense and is CBA-compliant for Minnesota. The deal is salary-negative for MIN though, so it shouldn't stop them from retaining Naz.

[Godaddycurse]

wolves are at 190M right now assuming Randle opts in for 12 man roster. They need to stay below ~206M or so for the 2nd apron.

Matching salary is doable if Randle opts in or Wolves sign and trade him elsewhere.

Randle + McDaniels =~55M and is enough to match Durant.
Assume Reid gets a pay raise to 20M or so.
that leaves them at 195M for 11 man, if remaining spots are all 2nd round/minimum contracts that = 200M for a 14 man roster.

That leaves value to be worked out. Imo Wolves are ~2 1sts short on value. They can trade DET 1st and probably get another late 1st for DDV into space elsewhere. After trading DDV they may have enough room to re-sign NAW too

So it would become

Gobert/Garza
Durant/Naz
Edwards/Minott
NAW/Shannon
Conley/Dillingham

+ vet mins/2nd round rookies most likely.

[jayjaysee]

I know it doesn’t make much sense for Minn go trade for a 37 year old while trading Rudy…

But doesn’t Rudy make a ton of sense for a team that doesn’t own their picks for next 5 years (or more..) and has Nick Richards and Oso as their centers?

Randle to “X”
Rudy+18ish mil in salary to Phoenix
KD+cheap center to Minn?

Think it would allow Minn to keep their young core intact while hoping Naz can bulk back up a bit to play more minutes at center again?

[ReggiesKnicks]

Let's assume that Randle opts in, because without his salary the deal is DOA (and FWIW, with Brooklyn being the only cap space team in the offseason, he's probably better off taking the PO and trying his luck in '26 FA).

I think this structure basically works?

Minny in: KD, Allen
Minny out: Randle, McDaniels, DDV, Dillingham

PHX in: Randle, McD, Dillingham, pick(s) from third team
PHX out: KD, Allen

Third Team in: DDV (absorbed with MLE/cap space)
Third Team out: pick(s)

I'm not sure any team loves the value here but I think it works salary wise

I can't see Minnesota trading 4 of their Top 8 guys for an expiring, 37-year old KD.

Does your deal allow Minnesota to retain Naz Reid? If not, you have Minnesota trading 5 of its Top 8 players for 37 year-old Kevin Durant.

I tend to agree honestly. I don't think there's a deal that both makes sense and is CBA-compliant for Minnesota. The deal is salary-negative for MIN though, so it shouldn't stop them from retaining Naz.

I think there are two deals which make sense, one with Randle and one with Gobert.

Gobert + Conley + TSJ basically gets there, gives the Suns depth and win-now pieces. Does KD have more value than Gobert at this point?

Randle + DDV + Conley also gets there and gives Phoenix 2 good players in Randle/DDV.

Maybe Minnesota needs to include the Detroit 1st in these deals?

Its fair to say that Durant is no longer the high All-NBA impact player he once was on a night-to-night basis in the regular season. The past 2 seasons he clearly is a level behind the rest of his prime, which is still a Top 20 player but not a Top 10 player.

I just don't see any team unloading multiple starters and young assets for KD.

[gswhoops]

I can't see Minnesota trading 4 of their Top 8 guys for an expiring, 37-year old KD.

Does your deal allow Minnesota to retain Naz Reid? If not, you have Minnesota trading 5 of its Top 8 players for 37 year-old Kevin Durant.

I tend to agree honestly. I don't think there's a deal that both makes sense and is CBA-compliant for Minnesota. The deal is salary-negative for MIN though, so it shouldn't stop them from retaining Naz.

I think there are two deals which make sense, one with Randle and one with Gobert.

Gobert + Conley + TSJ basically gets there, gives the Suns depth and win-now pieces. Does KD have more value than Gobert at this point?

Randle + DDV + Conley also gets there and gives Phoenix 2 good players in Randle/DDV.

Maybe Minnesota needs to include the Detroit 1st in these deals?

Its fair to say that Durant is no longer the high All-NBA impact player he once was on a night-to-night basis in the regular season. The past 2 seasons he clearly is a level behind the rest of his prime, which is still a Top 20 player but not a Top 10 player.

I just don't see any team unloading multiple starters and young assets for KD.

Value in a vacuum aside, I don't see Minnesota moving Gobert for KD.

If his value has declined to the point where Randle + DDV + Conley + some mediocre 1sts gets it done, then go for it. But I think PHX can probably get a better offer elsewhere.

[jscott]

I can't see Minnesota trading 4 of their Top 8 guys for an expiring, 37-year old KD.

Does your deal allow Minnesota to retain Naz Reid? If not, you have Minnesota trading 5 of its Top 8 players for 37 year-old Kevin Durant.

I tend to agree honestly. I don't think there's a deal that both makes sense and is CBA-compliant for Minnesota. The deal is salary-negative for MIN though, so it shouldn't stop them from retaining Naz.

I think there are two deals which make sense, one with Randle and one with Gobert.

Gobert + Conley + TSJ basically gets there, gives the Suns depth and win-now pieces. Does KD have more value than Gobert at this point?

Randle + DDV + Conley also gets there and gives Phoenix 2 good players in Randle/DDV.

Maybe Minnesota needs to include the Detroit 1st in these deals?

Its fair to say that Durant is no longer the high All-NBA impact player he once was on a night-to-night basis in the regular season. The past 2 seasons he clearly is a level behind the rest of his prime, which is still a Top 20 player but not a Top 10 player.

I just don't see any team unloading multiple starters and young assets for KD.

I don’t disagree with your facts but FWIW Mike Conley was basically given a verbal NTC by Tim Connelly. It’s not binding but Tim may feel he owes it to Mike to not trade him.

[gswhoops]

I tend to agree honestly. I don't think there's a deal that both makes sense and is CBA-compliant for Minnesota. The deal is salary-negative for MIN though, so it shouldn't stop them from retaining Naz.

I think there are two deals which make sense, one with Randle and one with Gobert.

Gobert + Conley + TSJ basically gets there, gives the Suns depth and win-now pieces. Does KD have more value than Gobert at this point?

Randle + DDV + Conley also gets there and gives Phoenix 2 good players in Randle/DDV.

Maybe Minnesota needs to include the Detroit 1st in these deals?

Its fair to say that Durant is no longer the high All-NBA impact player he once was on a night-to-night basis in the regular season. The past 2 seasons he clearly is a level behind the rest of his prime, which is still a Top 20 player but not a Top 10 player.

I just don't see any team unloading multiple starters and young assets for KD.

I don’t disagree with your facts but FWIW Mike Conley was basically given a verbal NTC by Tim Connelly. It’s not binding but Tim may feel he owes it to Mike to not trade him.

If Conley is a no-go (and assuming Gobert is also off the table) then Randle + McD is basically the only path forward. But because Randle + McD make more than KD, the Suns would have to (1) send out more salary (to avoid triggering the first apron) and (2) finish the deal under the second apron.

If they let go of Martin and Micic it's doable, but it's pretty complicated.

[NebWolvesFan]

I can't see Durant in Minnesota. TC wants to built the team around Ant, Naz, and Jaden going forward and all three have shown the ability to step up since the calendar turned to 2025.

Now, if Pheonix is interested in Gobert as the foundation of a trade, then maybe, but TC will just hold onto the young guys.

[gswhoops]

I can't see Durant in Minnesota. TC wants to built the team around Ant, Naz, and Jaden going forward and all three have shown the ability to step up since the calendar turned to 2025.

Now, if Pheonix is interested in Gobert as the foundation of a trade, then maybe, but TC will just hold onto the young guys.

I would for sure be interested in that if I were Phoenix, FWIW

[winforlose]

I know it doesn’t make much sense for Minn go trade for a 37 year old while trading Rudy…

But doesn’t Rudy make a ton of sense for a team that doesn’t own their picks for next 5 years (or more..) and has Nick Richards and Oso as their centers?

Randle to “X”
Rudy+18ish mil in salary to Phoenix
KD+cheap center to Minn?

Think it would allow Minn to keep their young core intact while hoping Naz can bulk back up a bit to play more minutes at center again?

I don’t want the Wolves to trade for KD, and I don’t want them to make anything resembling a competitive offer for him. Your version is the one I like the best because it does not trade anyone under 30. But, the math almost definitely costs us Naz. KD eats every penny of Rudy 35 million and then takes 19+ from Randles. Add to that a cheap C probably throws another 5-7 on the books and now the team is hard capped, and doesn’t have a lot of room to move. We also probably lose NAW as a result. Overall I agree it is the best of a bad situation, but I think the Suns decline because of lack of competitive value and the Wolves hopefully don’t do it because they cannot afford the secondary moves they need to make to stay competitive (Naz, NAW, balance the roster.)

[babyjax13]

Don't see how it would be possible without moving Gobert.

I think they should be open to that. Gobert is awesome but Durant is better.

[Godaddycurse]

Don't see how it would be possible without moving Gobert.

I think they should be open to that. Gobert is awesome but Durant is better.

Is he? Phoenix without a C has been pretty lackluster. Wolves dont really have assets to get a real C after trading for Durant.

[babyjax13]

Don't see how it would be possible without moving Gobert.

I think they should be open to that. Gobert is awesome but Durant is better.

Is he? Phoenix without a C has been pretty lackluster. Wolves dont really have assets to get a real C after trading for Durant.

I actually disagree that they don't have the assets to get a good center. It obviously depends on who they trade, but if it is Randle and Gobert for Durant (as the base) I think they'd be able to make reasonable offers for guys that are truly impactful, e.g. Poeltl.

Of course, Phoenix also has the assets now that they have the firsts from Utah to do some maneuvering if they decide to keep Durant.

[Godaddycurse]

I actually disagree that they don't have the assets to get a good center. It obviously depends on who they trade, but if it is Randle and Gobert for Durant (as the base) I think they'd be able to make reasonable offers for guys that are truly impactful, e.g. Poeltl.

They dont have picks or matching salary to get truly impactful guys. Basically same problem as Phoenix

[babyjax13]

I actually disagree that they don't have the assets to get a good center. It obviously depends on who they trade, but if it is Randle and Gobert for Durant (as the base) I think they'd be able to make reasonable offers for guys that are truly impactful, e.g. Poeltl.

They dont have picks or matching salary to get truly impactful guys. Basically same problem as Phoenix

There is a way to make it happen if aggregating w/Conley.

[Slim Charless]

I think there are two deals which make sense, one with Randle and one with Gobert.

Gobert + Conley + TSJ basically gets there, gives the Suns depth and win-now pieces. Does KD have more value than Gobert at this point?

Randle + DDV + Conley also gets there and gives Phoenix 2 good players in Randle/DDV.

Maybe Minnesota needs to include the Detroit 1st in these deals?

Its fair to say that Durant is no longer the high All-NBA impact player he once was on a night-to-night basis in the regular season. The past 2 seasons he clearly is a level behind the rest of his prime, which is still a Top 20 player but not a Top 10 player.

I just don't see any team unloading multiple starters and young assets for KD.

I don’t disagree with your facts but FWIW Mike Conley was basically given a verbal NTC by Tim Connelly. It’s not binding but Tim may feel he owes it to Mike to not trade him.

If Conley is a no-go (and assuming Gobert is also off the table) then Randle + McD is basically the only path forward. But because Randle + McD make more than KD, the Suns would have to (1) send out more salary (to avoid triggering the first apron) and (2) finish the deal under the second apron.

If they let go of Martin and Micic it's doable, but it's pretty complicated.

Don't see how it would be possible without moving Gobert.

I think they should be open to that. Gobert is awesome but Durant is better.

Think you guys are all missing the most obvious answer:

Booker for Ant.

Booker gives the spacing needed when you have Gobert and Randle while offering a reasonable amount of playmaking. He's from Michigan so he's at least used to that area somewhat as well.