Kevin Durant

[Baseline81]

Maybe Durant's feelings change when he realizes the teams he wants to go to don't want him? Minnesota willing to make sacrifices for him may change his tune. And maybe he likes playing in MN. Very fluid situation.

Are you willing to lose those assets for a one-year rental?

[Klomp]

Maybe Durant's feelings change when he realizes the teams he wants to go to don't want him? Minnesota willing to make sacrifices for him may change his tune. And maybe he likes playing in MN. Very fluid situation.

Are you willing to lose those assets for a one-year rental?

I don't think any report has said they are throwing all of their assets in for a one-year rental. In fact, they have mostly said the opposite.

The Timberwolves do not want to make a seismic change to a roster that advanced to the Western Conference finals if Durant is not on board with the move, team sources said.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6431028/2025/06/16/kevin-durant-trade-timberwolves-possibility-nba-rumors/

I sometimes question if people realize that someone is allowed to change his mind. We really are in no different of a place than the Warriors were in Butler talks a week or two before the trade deadline. He didn't want to go to GS, so there was no trade. But then Butler changed his focus, said he'd be willing to go to the Warriors, and the trade and an extension happened.

[Klomp]

"Don't go for him if he doesn't want to be here" is how a team selects Jonny Flynn over Steph Curry....

[Baseline81]

"Don't go for him if he doesn't want to be here" is how a team selects Jonny Flynn over Steph Curry....

Apples to oranges, Klomp.

The draft is far different, and you know it.

[Neeva]

"Don't go for him if he doesn't want to be here" is how a team selects Jonny Flynn over Steph Curry....

Also how a team selects Anthony Edwards over James Wiseman

[Worm Guts]

"Don't go for him if he doesn't want to be here" is how a team selects Jonny Flynn over Steph Curry....

Also how a team selects Anthony Edwards over James Wiseman

I don’t think where James Wiseman wanted to be was ever part of the Wolves decision making process.

I do think it’s different for an established star. It’s also dependent on how serious someone is about where they are willing to play. If Durant is willing to play here even if we’re not his first choice, then it may be something we can risk. If he’s going to Jimmy Butler it, obviously it’s a waste of time.

[Klomp]

"Don't go for him if he doesn't want to be here" is how a team selects Jonny Flynn over Steph Curry....

Also how a team selects Anthony Edwards over James Wiseman

I don’t think where James Wiseman wanted to be was ever part of the Wolves decision making process.

I do think it’s different for an established star. It’s also dependent on how serious someone is about where they are willing to play. If Durant is willing to play here even if we’re not his first choice, then it may be something we can risk. If he’s going to Jimmy Butler it, obviously it’s a waste of time.

I think Durant loves to hoop too much that I don't think I could ever see him Butler it. And again, Butler didn't want to go to Golden State either originally. But they bided their time, believing he would change his mind because he could be that much of a difference-maker.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Klomp is so damn invested into KD that I almost want the trade to go though, just to see it fail, and dude calms down a bit in future takes.

[Klomp]

Klomp is so damn invested into KD that I almost want the trade to go though, just to see it fail, and dude calms down a bit in future takes.

You're still new. Don't worry, you'll get used to the bot and its database eventually...

[Loaf_of_bread]

Klomp is so damn invested into KD that I almost want the trade to go though, just to see it fail, and dude calms down a bit in future takes.

You're still new. Don't worry, you'll get used to the bot and its database eventually...

You actually banned me maybe 15 years ago pretty much for no reason. Lol.

[Domejandro]

I've said this before with other players, so this isn't a Kevin Durant thing at all. I really have no problem with players trying to heavily influence which teams they go to, especially during the off-season (assuming that it is a mutual "time to move on" like this one). It's egregious when players are midseason throwing tantrums and start (functionally) throwing games, but players are within their rights to make requests, just like teams are well within their rights to trade players wherever they want. I'm not too bothered by both sides operating in their best interests.

[minimus]

I've said this before with other players, so this isn't a Kevin Durant thing at all. I really have no problem with players trying to heavily influence which teams they go to, especially during the off-season (assuming that it is a mutual "time to move on" like this one). It's egregious when players are midseason throwing tantrums and start (functionally) throwing games, but players are within their rights to make requests, just like teams are well within their rights to trade players wherever they want. I'm not too bothered by both sides operating in their best interests.

Yeah, PHO pretty much is trying to create bidding war before draft

[frankenwolf]

It’s hard for me to look at a Durant package without thinking about the price of the pieces in picks

- Dillingham was got last year for a 2031 unprotected pick and a 2030 pick swap. His value has decreased since then, without much on-court success and one year less on his rookie scale deal.

- DiVincenzo was often listed on “Best Contracts in the NBA” list last off-season, at $12 mil per year for three years. Dillingham has slid back with a poor season, and one less cheap deal, but the size of his contract still has value. Jace Fredrick claimed he was the second highest trade value on the team, and Dane Moore said third, even now. They think he’s worth a couple 1sts.

- Julius Randle could be very valuable for some team this summer. 25 teams or more want to improve, so there aren’t a lot of sellers for a player of Randle’s caliber. Plus, the lack of cap space this summer might make him amenable to a cheaper extension. I think he’s worth a 1st or two as well.

Anyway, I understand what a good player Durant is, and I understand the goal is to win a championship. But if Durant doesn’t want to be here, I would only expect one professional season from him, and that would be a big asset haul to lose, especially since Dilly and DDV could gain value next season.

So at worst, you could trade for a Top 15 player of all time who is still putting up big numbers for roughly the same price as a 26year old who has never made all-NBA and never been an all-star and was just the third best player on an 8 seed. I'll go with Durant....

So you are all in for next year and then watch the next few years with Ant doing a KG impression without any help before he decides he's done trying to help this helpless franchise? Getting KD for one year is NOT worth that.

[Klomp]

It’s hard for me to look at a Durant package without thinking about the price of the pieces in picks

- Dillingham was got last year for a 2031 unprotected pick and a 2030 pick swap. His value has decreased since then, without much on-court success and one year less on his rookie scale deal.

- DiVincenzo was often listed on “Best Contracts in the NBA” list last off-season, at $12 mil per year for three years. Dillingham has slid back with a poor season, and one less cheap deal, but the size of his contract still has value. Jace Fredrick claimed he was the second highest trade value on the team, and Dane Moore said third, even now. They think he’s worth a couple 1sts.

- Julius Randle could be very valuable for some team this summer. 25 teams or more want to improve, so there aren’t a lot of sellers for a player of Randle’s caliber. Plus, the lack of cap space this summer might make him amenable to a cheaper extension. I think he’s worth a 1st or two as well.

Anyway, I understand what a good player Durant is, and I understand the goal is to win a championship. But if Durant doesn’t want to be here, I would only expect one professional season from him, and that would be a big asset haul to lose, especially since Dilly and DDV could gain value next season.

So at worst, you could trade for a Top 15 player of all time who is still putting up big numbers for roughly the same price as a 26year old who has never made all-NBA and never been an all-star and was just the third best player on an 8 seed. I'll go with Durant....

So you are all in for next year and then watch the next few years with Ant doing a KG impression without any help before he decides he's done trying to help this helpless franchise? Getting KD for one year is NOT worth that.

You are not all-in for next year. The core is always going to be Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels (and hopefully Naz Reid). Any and all trades are about complementing and supplementing those players, further aiding their continued development as they work toward the ultimate goal of an NBA title. Karl-Anthony Towns was part of the beginning of that development. Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo are part of that development. Wanting to target Kevin Durant does not mean giving up on the core group, just like trading Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle did not mean the end of it all for Edwards and the franchise like many here believed..

[shrink]

Yeah, PHO pretty much is trying to create bidding war before draft

They might have succeeded too, if Durant hadn’t said he will only extend with three teams that won’t offer much!

[frankenwolf]

So you are all in for next year and then watch the next few years with Ant doing a KG impression without any help before he decides he's done trying to help this helpless franchise? Getting KD for one year is NOT worth that.

You are not all-in for next year. The core is always going to be Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels (and hopefully Naz Reid). Any and all trades are about complementing and supplementing those players, further aiding their continued development as they work toward the ultimate goal of an NBA title. Karl-Anthony Towns was part of the beginning of that development. Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo are part of that development. Wanting to target Kevin Durant does not mean giving up on the core group, just like trading Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle did not mean the end of it all for Edwards and the franchise like many here believed..

That would be my impression if they traded for KD, that this is the year they shoot for the moon. However, what would be the cost for the following years be when KD leaves for the tax free and winter free environs of south Florida?? Will the price given to get Durant leave us like Mother Hubbard?? Unless Ant becomes better than Jordan, he will not be able to do what Jordan could not. If KD would come here after his current contract ends and signs for much less than the talked about AAV of about 59MM for three years, then I would be ok. I just worry EXTRIMELY about his age and cost. OTOH, it's not my money that will have finance the team. . .

[Dewey]

Yeah, PHO pretty much is trying to create bidding war before draft

They might have succeeded too, if Durant hadn’t said he will only extend with three teams that won’t offer much!

Just say no … I predicted a while back we’d trade for him but I don’t want him.

[Neeva]

The Suns organization are **** stupid, they should have seen the writing on the wall and traded Durant at the **** deadline. Heat would have probably offered them Buttler and picks.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

It's quite funny for me how people take for granted what they read or hear from social media, from guys where guys try to make the buzz for making money purpose.
Did you see one ITW where KD say he did not want to go to Minny? I don't and as long as i don't see it, i have no reason to believe it. NBA off season is always full of rumors, gossip..... this is how social media works.
Let's wait a couple of days and we know.

The others points being that Phoenix will trade KD for their best interests. It's not like KD make them win 2 championship and they feel accountable.

[Wolves21]

It's quite funny for me how people take for granted what they read or hear from social media, from guys where guys try to make the buzz for making money purpose.
Did you see one ITW where KD say he did not want to go to Minny? I don't and as long as i don't see it, i have no reason to believe it. NBA off season is always full of rumors, gossip..... this is how social media works.
Let's wait a couple of days and we know.

The others points being that Phoenix will trade KD for their best interests. It's not like KD make them win 2 championship and they feel accountable.

Yes this time of year rumors are wild but would tend to agree with the idea thay KD isn't really hyped about Minnesota.Also think the Suns would love to do what's in there best interest but if KD really doesn't want to go to said team can kind of kill any move.