Where Could Kevin Durant’s Next Stop Be?
Kevin Durant will enter his 18th NBA season next year following a deeply disappointing team campaign with the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix had the highest payroll this season at $366.6 million and still didn't even qualify for the Play-In Tournament. During the end-of-season interviews, Suns GM James Jones acknowledged Durant’s value but offered a deeper response when asked about the team’s plans. “That hasn’t changed… The fact that we aren’t where we want to be from a winning perspective means that we have to look at everything. A lot of changes will be in the best interest of the team, and we’ll evaluate all those things.” Signaling continued love for Durant while stopping short of a clear commitment to him going forward. With that being said, let's dive into some teams that would benefit from Durant’s services.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are among the top potential landing spots for Durant, having been linked to him multiple times over the past year. After reaching the NBA Finals in 2023, the Heat have fallen short of championship expectations. Team president Pat Riley has already hinted at a shake-up, saying, “Run it back. We're probably not going to do that…You've got to try to do something that will benefit your team and your two key guys.” His comments make it clear that the franchise is committed to building around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Whether that means adding a third star like Durant or surrounding them with a deeper, more versatile supporting cast. Miami would likely have to give up a first-round pick at minimum, along with some players like Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier, or Kel’el Ware.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have also been consistently linked to Durant over the past year, including around the NBA Trade Deadline when they were actively weighing moves involving Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. Both players were seen as potential trade assets at the time, but with strong playoff performances so far, it will complicate Minnesota’s decision to make the blockbuster trade. NBA Insider Brian Windhorst recently revealed, “The Timberwolves tried to pull off a crazy trade at the deadline for KD. Look for them to revisit those talks this summer.” If talks resume, a potential trade package could include one or two first-round picks and players like Randle, DiVincenzo, Rob Dillingham, or Naz Reid.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs may be more of a dark horse compared to the other teams mentioned, but their potential makes them a legitimate candidate in the sweepstakes. The idea of pairing Durant with a generational talent in Victor Wembanyama and newly acquired guard De’Aaron Fox is enough to put them firmly on the radar. While there haven’t been confirmed reports of an offer at the deadline, there have been rumors of the Spurs expressing interest. With a surplus of first-round picks and young talent like Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Keldon Johnson, the question isn’t whether they can make a move for Durant; it’s whether they should. San Antonio likely has the most well-rounded package that the Suns could receive, acquiring proven young players that fit a new timeline and first-round picks in many different years to choose from.
Entering the final year of his contract, Kevin Durant is set to earn $54.7 million next season, and any team trading for him will likely seek a contract extension to secure him long term. Since leaving the Warriors in 2019, Durant has yet to return to the NBA Finals and has suffered two first-round sweeps, making it increasingly likely that he’ll prioritize joining an immediate contender. With Devin Booker untouchable and Bradley Beal's no-trade clause, it points all fingers to a Durant move to shake things up. How it all unfolds, though, remains uncertain, with the Playoffs, Draft Lottery, NBA Draft, and free agency still on the horizon.
