Re: Kevin Durant Has No Interest In Trade To Wolves, Focused On Rockets, Heat, Spurs

[RealGM Wiretap]

Kevin Durant has signaled he is prepared to sign a contract extension with either the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs or Miami Heat upon a trade to one of those three teams. The Phoenix Suns' trade talks have centered on the Rockets, Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Durant, however, is not interested in signing long-term with the Wolves.

"Kevin Durant prefers to play moving forward with one of three NBA teams: either the Houston Rockets, the San Antonio Spurs or the Miami Heat," said Shams Charania on NBA Today. "That's the three teams that he would sign contract extensions with once he is traded.

"But for the Suns' part, the focus on their conversations have mostly been on the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, I'm told. The Timberwolves are, along with a couple other teams, are known as wildcards potentially for Kevin Durant. They're going to work with his business manager and partner, Rich Kleiman, on figuring out just exactly where his home could be.

"As far as those Minnesota Timberwolves, they have had some discussions with the Phoenix Suns. But I'm told Kevin Durant has no desire, no interest in playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves."

The Suns have a level of trade interest in Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, according to Charania. The Wolves will have to weigh the possibility of trading for Durant even if he is not committing to the franchise long-term.

Via Shams Charania/ESPN

[NoStatsGuy]

Okay so this is not a basketball move? because the rockets, heat and spurs all wont be better than minnesota lol. especially not if the teams have to trade assets.

I guess in the east you have an outside shot with miami, but its very unlikely they are gonna be betterr than the cavs, pacers and hopefully the knicks. Even boston without tatum is not a bad team, depending on their offseason they can still compete in the east. Orlando, raps and sixers can also be in the mix and are potentially better than miami with KD and Bam.

This is all about how to ride in the sunset and look towards retirement. Palm trees and no state taxes above all lol

[scrabbarista]

Of course he doesn't: they're the best fit.

Or, they would be, if he wanted to play there.

[Wildcat]

He obviously wants to play in warmer climate. You can hate KD on many things. This ain't one of them.

[jkvonny]

Tax break move. No state taxes.
Texas, Florida and Tennessee (what about the Memphis Grizzlies?)
Can't be any more obvious .

Minnesota (has state taxes) is the best team out of the choices and better fit. Already a contender.

We see you, KD!! Lol

[BKlutch]

KD has been the smartest player ever. After bringing several championships to OKC, he still made his fans in OKC love him when he decided to join a winner in GS. He then wisely chose Brooklyn over the Knicks, which worked out spectacularly. He was one of the few people alive to realize Brooklyn didn't really need a coach, so he brilliantly helped relieve them of that incompetent Kenny Atkinson to bring in the far more successful Steve Nash. He even managed to put his foot on the line trying to shoot a 3 -- a rare act of generosity that allowed Milwaukee to win their playoff series.

Now that we know what a strategic genius he is, we should bet all our cash with Draft Kings on whatever team he decides to join. You just can't loose with KD!

[the_process]

Player not interested in going to play in Lower Canada.

Keep it moving, nothing to see here.

[TheCage4]

Any team KD is "interested" in should not share the same sentiment. All he's going to do is take assets away from your franchise, and in return, you'll get a playoff run that won't make it out of the Semifinals...if you're lucky.

[taikibansei]

""That's the three teams that he would sign contract extensions with once he is traded." -- sounds more like a threat than a promise to me. (But then, I'd want no part of a contract extension with 37-year-old KD unless it was less than 50% of the max....)

[nguyen925]

Okay so this is not a basketball move? because the rockets, heat and spurs all wont be better than minnesota lol. especially not if the teams have to trade assets.

I guess in the east you have an outside shot with miami, but its very unlikely they are gonna be betterr than the cavs, pacers and hopefully the knicks. Even boston without tatum is not a bad team, depending on their offseason they can still compete in the east. Orlando, raps and sixers can also be in the mix and are potentially better than miami with KD and Bam.

This is all about how to ride in the sunset and look towards retirement. Palm trees and no state taxes above all lol

What do you mean in including the Rockets and Spurs under teams not aimed or having a chance to win?

The Spurs are probably a year or so from truly meshing and contending again (after Wemby is fully cleared after his Blood clot diagnosis).

The Rockets, depending on what they give up on the trade, are poised to be in contention for a better playoff run next year. They actually need a closer and versatile scorer like KD, as currently constructed.

I'd actually prefer the Timberwolves to send all their assets over, get KD and have Houston be able to sign him once FVV and Brooks come off the books. That way we still keep all the draft picks and our young core, without having to mortgage our depth and drafting ability to get KD.

[NoStatsGuy]

Okay so this is not a basketball move? because the rockets, heat and spurs all wont be better than minnesota lol. especially not if the teams have to trade assets.

I guess in the east you have an outside shot with miami, but its very unlikely they are gonna be betterr than the cavs, pacers and hopefully the knicks. Even boston without tatum is not a bad team, depending on their offseason they can still compete in the east. Orlando, raps and sixers can also be in the mix and are potentially better than miami with KD and Bam.

This is all about how to ride in the sunset and look towards retirement. Palm trees and no state taxes above all lol

What do you mean in including the Rockets and Spurs under teams not aimed or having a chance to win?

The Spurs are probably a year or so from truly meshing and contending again (after Wemby is fully cleared after his Blood clot diagnosis).

The Rockets, depending on what they give up on the trade, are poised to be in contention for a better playoff run next year. They actually need a closer and versatile scorer like KD, as currently constructed.

I'd actually prefer the Timberwolves to send all their assets over, get KD and have Houston be able to sign him once FVV and Brooks come off the books. That way we still keep all the draft picks and our young core, without having to mortgage our depth and drafting ability to get KD.

yea i understand your perspective. but until we know what houston looks like im not considering them better than the t-wolves, im sorry.

they need to mesh more and need experience. wouldnt be surprised if they need 1 or 2 more playoff exits to really "get it". ofc its just an assumption based on what we have seen historically and outliers always confirrm the rules. im not totally counting houston out. but its a case of "i believe it when i see it". and again, as a houston fan you have all reasons to be optimistic and hopeful!

Pretty much the same goes for the spurs, even tho they have a bit more upside just purely for wemby reasons. but everything else doesnt really stands out so far. They have a promising rookie in castle and a fringe all star in Fox. They are not better than the timberwolves either.