We are exactly three weeks away from the 2025 NBA Draft. All offseason, there’s been widespread speculation that Kevin Durant has played his last game with the Phoenix Suns.
It’s no secret that the Miami Heat will be involved in those sweepstakes, but who else could be in the mix?
Three Biggest Candidates:
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Collection of assets Timberwolves have to offer: Julius Randle ($30.9M player option), Jaden McDaniels ($24.9M cap hit), Naz Reid ($15.0M player option), Donte DiVincenzo ($12.0M), Mike Conley ($10.8M), Rob Dillingham ($6.6M), Terrence Shannon Jr. ($2.7M), No. 17 overall pick
If Phoenix is looking to reset its empty stash of draft picks, don’t call Minnesota. But the Timberwolves were reportedly very aggressive with trying to pair Anthony Edwards with Durant, his (former) idol, at the deadline. And they have tradable contracts. However, both teams are second-apron teams, further complicating any trade that the two can execute. Similar to Butler’s deal with Golden State, it would have to be a three- or four-team trade, realistically, for this deal to become complete.
Houston Rockets:
What Rockets have to offer: Fred VanVleet ($44.9M), Alperen Sengun ($33.9M), Jalen Green ($33.3M), Dillon Brooks ($21.1M), Jabari Smith ($12.4M), Reed Sheppard ($10.6M), Amen Thompson ($9.7M), Tari Eason ($5.7M), No. 10 overall pick, Five tradable future first-round picks (plus Phoenix’s 2025, 2027 and 2029 picks, the last being a swap between DAL/PHX)
Cold water was thrown on the Rockets being a potential suitor because of the potential asking price; Durant was in the friend zone. However, reports surfaced this week that Phoenix’s asking price has lowered considerably. The Rockets also have three Suns’ firsts. They also have multiple young pieces, even though I don’t expect them to empty the treasure chest for the 37-year-old. Houston is roughly $5 million from the first apron and $17 million from the second, so there’s a workable deal that can be done that’s mutually beneficial if they decide to engage.
San Antonio Spurs:
What Rockets have to offer: De’Aaron Fox ($37.1M), Devin Vassell ($27.0M), Harrison Barnes ($19.0M), Keldon Johnson ($17.5M), Stephon Castle ($9.6M), Jeremy Sochan ($7.1M), No. 2 overall pick, No. 14 overall pick, three tradable future first-round picks
San Antonio steam has picked up the most over the last several days. If the Spurs don’t want to engage for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Durant would come at a much cheaper cost without depleting their asset pool. That’s an important factor here, especially since pressure will be off to create alongside Fox, Wembanyama and Dylan Harper, should they not trade the No. 2 pick. They have expiring contracts, picks, young players, etc. You name it, San Antonio can likely offer it.
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4 others I wouldn’t be surprised by:
Oklahoma City Thunder: Sam Presti has to consolidate eventually, right? Could they reunite with Durant? I think it’s more possible, even though the difficulty could be with matching salary.
Detroit Pistons: Durant doesn’t quite fit their timeline–he doesn’t fit most teams’ timelines, including the Heat’s–but they look ready to strike and have the assets to do it, namely with draft picks.
Indiana Pacers: Typically, Indiana’s valued building through the draft (it works!), but I could see them inquiring about acquiring Durant if they’re not able to get past Oklahoma City. I don’t expect them to be content, even after clinching the East for the first time in over two dozen years.
New York Knicks: Big changes could be coming in New York, so again, I wouldn’t be surprised if Leon Rose inquires if they can’t in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes (which feels very unlikely).
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how bout no to by carlisle.spobot would have taken a to
ind has better shooting than okc.theyre just about as athletic.im rooting for tb and jj ex heaters always have a place in hfl heart
best game of the year wow
jj and tb might be wearing jewelry
jalen williams so inconsistent
unreal game wow
ind for real athletes galore to
i can assure u tyler herro would get no pt with ind either sorry rc
No matter how many times you shit out this ridiculous statement, it will still not be true. Look at the box score to see all the players that got minutes. Herro is better than many. Sorry hfl.
he would get targeted every friggin play rc .wrong rc
That’s herros burner account lmao. Herro not better than dean wade Sam Merrill or Ty Jerome. He thinks scoring means someone is better but couldn’t score on nor get past the 3 I named
can u see herro playing in the finals hhf4l.he would get obliterated injured scored on those boys tonight were way way to athletic and rough for ty.rc looks at box scores and makes his comments .not a good feel for impacting a w in a game.
rc thinks because ty shoots more and scores more than nemhardt nesmith etc hes a better player so wrong hhf4l.hes good with aprons and contracts not my specialty
who is he better than a one on one game vs nemhardt it would be 21 3 nemhardt .who is he better then nesmith no matherin no they would eat him up on one on one.tj woul;d bloody ty up prob.did u watch the game could u see ty out there .god forbid the team that had ty they would have lost
Agreed scoring is not the end all be all in the nba or sports in general. And I’ve already stated there are several young talented players I’d take over herro rn and wouldn’t think twice about it and 3 played tonight neismith nembhard jwill all around the same age all more talented than a Tyler fcking herro
herro played in this game hed be injured by now.what a bunch of athletes out there
ind plays better with bryant on ct than soft ass turner
i can assure u tyler herro would not get any pt with okc.bam would .what a defensive team wow like watching 10 duncan robinsons
im waiting for rcs homer response
was riley aware how bad duncs d was when he gave him that deal.
On a completely different subject, here’s a refreshing look at Kel’el Ware.
Attention Pat Riley. Do Not Trade This Guy!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNp3hKmHCJM
can ware and bam work it didnt last year.goal #1 figure that out
I’m fine with adding Durant, as long as the Heat are only giving up players, and not future picks
I look at teams in the finals last 2 years no curry bron or kd he’ll look at the ecf and wcf last 2 years neither of the 3 were in there so nah, time to turn the page and go younger get a young up and coming talent
if kd is avail get him .makes watching the games easier.
Not if Miami is playing with a gutted team and no future draft picks. I would rather have the team we finished with last season going into camp, plus the draft pick. Robinson should either be bought out or traded by then. Players on expiring contracts should also be traded, if the trades make financial and re-tooling sense. The young guys should all be given plenty of playing time this season to see what we have/or don’t have before next summer’s decisions regarding the draft, free agency and contract extensions.
Unless a fantastic opportunity falls into Miami’s lap, the Heat needs to get rid of those expiring contracts, one way or another, before it can think about any significant re-tooling/upgrades via trades or free agency.
Going after Durant would be the ultimate sign of desperation by Riley. Giving up the future for a long shot chance of competing with the league’s elite teams in the near future, hardly seems to be worth the risk. It would probably take Herro, Ware, Jovic, Jaquez, and multiple first round draft picks. Phoenix created the mess they are in. Let one of the elite teams bail them out. If Riley makes this trade, who is going to clean up his mess when he is gone?
if u didnt have to give up ware or bam i would give them any 4 players they wanted.kd for 2-3 years fk yeah ill worry about 2029 then if im still alive
Sure, give up Mitchell, Herro, Wiggins, and (let’s say) Jovic (or Highsmith or Burks) and what would you have?
A play-in team, maybe. At best. Great!
You would have the Phoenix Suns without Booker. You can’t win in the NBA without a deep bench (preferably consisting of two-way players).
u need 3 decent 2 wayers .benches are shortened in playoffs is that still true
You’re behind the times or aren’t paying attention. Depth is the latest rage. The more…the better. Keeps starters fresh and tires out opposing starters. P.S. In case you hadn’t heard, “Small Ball” is dead too.
im watching end of game no center in for either team wrong sun
Today’s elite teams are expected to have the personnel to go either big or small, depending on the situation/score. Full-time small ball like what Miami was playing before Ware is what I was referring to. OKC, Indiana, Cleveland, Minnesota, Knicks, and others all have at least 2 good bigs who get a bunch of minutes.
kd bam ware front line dru rc better five than last year.kd still a top 10 player.rc can just watch and enjoy a ss first hand.apron guys forthcoming for rc to
As SM pointed out, it would be the equivalent of the Suns this season without Booker. How watchable was that? Of course, you were also the person who wanted to get joy from watching the Heat in the playoffs, and saying we could beat anyone. Unlike others, I am not against getting KD. But if it costs multiple players and multiple picks, absolutely not!
ty and the brothers were on a roll beat bost were killing teams then 55 comes back and there goes our mojo.and of course spobot had to play 55 the 90 mil mistake.our team was playing great when 55 was out not saying we would have beat cleveland but why put 55 back in rotation when we were balling out.we were beating teams by 20pts.
If you believe the reason our 37-45 play-in team lost was because of any one player, I don’t know whether to laugh or be worried about you. They got crushed by a decent Cavs team. The team wasn’t very good. Changes were, and are, needed.
Mia did not beat only one fully healthy team last season, bringing up Boston w/o kp and jrue gs w/o Steph, what teams were they beating by 20? Lmao none Mia lost to wash
kd for wiggy jjj jovic?
Doesn’t work. Have to include Duncan or Rozier salaries.
I Dont want him in Miami.
Didn’t read this sorry. I just wanted to comment that I’m tired of hearing KD this and that specially with Miami. If it happens it happens. Lets see other options pls
29 other teams