Despite Kevin Durant leaking his list of preferred trade destinations, which includes the Miami Heat, the Phoenix Suns seem ready to play hard ball. The Heat, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs offers have not been to Phoenix’s liking, and all parties involved need to brace themselves for the superstar’s trade wishes to be dragged out.
Shams Charania has noted several times last week that he expects a trade be done sooner rather than later. At the longest, the June 25 NBA Draft seems to be the deadline here, considering any blockbuster deal may include a pick from this year’s draft.
However, the Suns have taken their time with negotiations thus far, and reportedly have been underwhelmed with offers from each of the two Texas teams and Miami. That’s where the Minnesota Timberwolves have gained steam, as Phoenix has been coveting a starting center in talks.
The Wolves seem open to moving one of Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle in a KD deal. The only problem, though, is that Durant has shown “no desire” to play in Minnesota, according to Charania. And that has led the Wolves to doubt their aggression in trade negotiations.
“League sources say the Suns are still hopeful that Durant might warm to the Timberwolves possibility.”
“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.”
— The Athletic
This situation is slowly but surely developing into a similar Damian Lillard trade dilemma.
As Heat fans know all too well, Lillard had Miami as his sole preferred destination in a trade out of the Portland Trail Blazers organization two summers ago. After months worth of a saga, and stubbornness from the Blazers front office to do right for their franchise point guard, Lillard was ultimately traded to a place he never wanted to go to.
KD has more leverage than Damian Lillard did in the 2023 offseason.
Fortunately for Durant and Heat fans, his exact situation is a little bit different.
Lillard was still locked into a multi-year contract extension at the time of his trade request. Durant is on an expiring contract, and could test the free agent market after next season if the Suns send him somewhere he doesn’t want to go. But KD needs to remain firm.
Charania stating Durant’s non-interest to play for the Timberwolves is a huge step in that regard.
It makes other teams around the league second guess if it’s worth trading quality assets and draft capital for a one-year KD rental. If all three of the Heat, Rockets and Spurs offers stay underwhelming to Phoenix— something will have to give. Either the Suns will have to fold for the best of the worst or Miami (or any of the others) adds something to the negotiations to separate the pack.
In a recent local Arizona Central article, writer Duane Renkin said the Suns have no leverage here, and that their asking price will have to drop at some point.
“The Phoenix Suns may be placing too high a value on Kevin Durant and might have to reduce their asking price in negotiating a trade, league sources inform The Arizona Republic,” Renkin writes.
As mentioned, something will have to give. All three of Durant’s preferred landing spots in Miami, San Antonio and Houston must currently all be firm in their offers. Otherwise a deal would assuredly have been done by now.
As one of the greatest players in NBA history and future Hall of Fame talent, KD deserves to get to this final chapter of his legendary career on his own terms.
Charania has said that a deal could be finalized any day soon. But don’t be surprised if the Suns’ stubbornness drags this into the draft day soft deadline.
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“Fortunately for Durant and Heat fans, his exact situation is a little bit different.”???????
No, its not. Player have a leverage here over the team.
And KD is not far from Jimmy to change his mind instantly.
I’ve seen this movie before. It doesn’t end well. If Miami wants to keep pace with the evolving younger teams, Durant is not the answer. On the other hand, if Riley is trying to appease the fans and satisfy his own ego, it works just fine, for now. As for the future, forgetaboutit.