Appearing on NBA Today on Thursday (Twitter video link), ESPN’s Shams Charania gave an update on his report that the Suns and Kevin Durant‘s business partner, Rich Kleiman, have been evaluating trade options ahead of this month’s draft.
“There is traction on Kevin Durant trade scenarios,” Charania said. “And there are some teams that are motivated to get a deal done sooner rather than later, and so we’ll see. Will something happen before the NBA Draft? Does this linger into June 25, June 26, closer to that draft period?
“But those are the five teams (Houston, Minnesota, New York, Miami and San Antonio) where the Suns are most focused at. There are some wild-card suitors as well. But what this could end up coming down to is, he’s on expiring deal. … Is this all going to be contingent on him accepting a long-term (extension)? (Or) will there be a team that simply swings for him?”
While his ESPN colleague Brian Windhorst said earlier on Thursday that he thinks Durant “definitely” has interest in joining the Knicks, multiple local reporters have stated the team doesn’t plan to pursue the two-time Finals MVP, perhaps ruling New York out as a potential suitor.
Although the “situation remains fluid,” there’s growing skepticism that the Spurs will acquire Durant, with “no clear traction” on a deal, league sources tell Grant Afseth of RG.org.
According to Afseth, league insiders have doubts about the fit of Durant, who turns in 37 years old in September, joining a young, up-and-coming team in San Antonio. Afseth suggests the Spurs may be reluctant to meet the Suns’ asking price for Durant.
Following up on a report from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Afseth cites league sources who say the Sixers‘ discussions with the Spurs about moving up from No. 3 to No. 2 are believed to have been exploratory rather than serious.
“For now, it’s more due diligence than anything,” one source told RG.
As of now, the Spurs are still expected to keep the second pick and select Dylan Harper, Afseth reports.
While the Knicks or Spurs may not land Durant, the Heat are legitimately interested in the superstar forward, confirms Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel. The big question, Winderman writes, is whether that interest is mutual.
As Winderman observes, the Heat and Suns discussed a trade involving Durant and Jimmy Butler prior to the February deadline. Butler ended up in Golden State, which first nearly acquired Durant before he essentially nixed the deal. Heat stars Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are not expected to be available in any Durant trade talks, according to Winderman.
Toronto
These successful haters would Google every negative reply if that happened.
Not at this point of his career. To match salaries you need to give up 2 of RJ, BI and IQ. Id expect the Suns would want a FRP on top of that.
RJB, Poeltl & Agbaji was a match iirc. Not sure that the Suns will do better than that as far as a talent package goes. And not sure they’ll get picks on top of that.
The problem for the Suns having to match salaries *and* their obvious desire to score draft capital in the deal as well. The only possibility for that would be to take back a bad contract(s) I guess. The Miami ones come to mind.. Rozier and Robinson would get it most of the way. But Miami doesn’t have much draft capital to deal.
Sixers? Paul George? Doubt the Sixers give up the 3rd pick to double down on an even older player tho.
I keep coming back to TOR and the fact that PHO is unlikely to get what they’re looking for in this deal.
They can want it but they won’t get it
I think ppl are overstating what KD will yield at this point.
Exactly, Jimmy Butler for KD is the most perfect deal. Suns get a playmaker who can feed Beal and Booker and who wants to be there.
I wouldn’t hold my breath on that.
I don’t understand Toronto. They’re a lottery team even with Durant.
The Raptors were 22-21 in their last 43 games I think. They would be Barnes, Ingram, Quickley, Dick, KD, some of the young players who got a lot of run in the 2nd half like Shead, Walter, etc. plus the 9th pick.
You don’t know ball if you think that antsmith.
You never know how much Pistons and Grizzlies love Kevin Durant
Both teams have cap room to save Suns a billion $
If I were Suns, I don’t want Knicks and Heat
I was in on a Durant trade for the Wolves if it only cost us JR, DDV, and Conley. But if he wants a crazy extension at his age, I’m out.
It needs the third team to offer the first round picks.
Trade! Suns need to pack first round picks with Beal for several players
Good luck with that.
Just heard that KD turn down going to Memphis, the other outside of HOU, SA, NY, MINN. They are saying that LA Clippers, Detroit, and Dallas are the second tier that could possibly take on KD.
9 teams want one player.
I am guessing that Spurs and Rockets make bad trade offers.
KD is a hot product. You don’t say something like this
Durant is 37 years old and on an expiring contract. The price is plausibly low enough for any team to submit reasonable offers.
Its not weird to you that GSW almost got him at the deadline but now they’re out on him? Where did you see that?
Would love him on the clippers but factually speaking a package of norm , bogi and jones jr with pick 30 is kinda garbage for a star ! The suns should want zubac. Clippers should say no way and both sides should move on
I do love the old sources tell trick, anonymous sources more so.
Yup, shams works for the agents, another part of this Durant trade being negotiated is by his agent who wants to get Durant the 2 year max extension to whichever team he is traded to, and I think that will play as big a part in where he goes as anything else. With that extension added to the year he has left, a team would have to be willing to pay a 37 year old $166 million over 3 years… there’s a reason I keep saying people are crazy for what they think the suns can/will get for him.
The Thunder!
Local reporting says KD preference is one of the two Texas teams and that the packages the rockets and spurs can offer are the most intriguing to the suns.
Some suspect already a deal pretty much over the line for Spurs. Durant did say he could see himself in Spurs colours. Probably on the phone to his Pal CP3.
I’ve seen that but it doesn’t make sense to me from the suns standpoint. Waiting and letting the media fuel the fire likely drives the price up. Especially if other teams get more involved then you can start pitting them against each other. Even if it’s small maybe the suns could get an extra pick they wouldn’t have otherwise. That would be the route that makes more sense to me.
The only trade that gets the Suns an upgrade and helps the Warriors find that “tall scorer” in a 1-1 is Jimmy for KD. It’s clean money-wise too. Do it now. Very weird how the Warriors aren’t mentioned in this piece yet they were minutes away from getting KD last trade deadline? We sure they’re not going to revisit that, especially after Jimmy’s refusal to be the #1 scorer after Steph hurt his hamstring?
Jesus H Christ will you shut up about the KD to the Warriors in a 1:1 deal. That deal makes no sense for the suns and isn’t going to happen. You pry also think the warriors could trade draymond and a lobster roll for Giannis too.
@DarkGhost he also thinks Warriors can do a Moody for Fox on a 1:1 trade. That guy does not know ball at all and is a bad image for this site and for any legitimate Warrior fan.
One thing is for sure, KD is definitely available, but he definitely aint going to the Warriors. Him going back there would mean he is admiting that he cant win without Curry and his ego would not allow that.
DaveyJ, I’m not feeling you on this one. That was GSW’s last swing at KD this past February
W’s are done with getting older. It’s already the oldest core in the NBA, ever, and KD is 3 seasons older than Jimmy. KD missed the end of this season with an injury, and you should expect more of that.
KD wants two additional years at least, and he knows he’ll get it somewhere. Lacob is not going to risk max deals on multiple 40 year olds at once.
Odds of KD to W’s:
I do NOT want the Wolves to trade assets for KD. Would rather watch the Ishbia, Ott, Booker eat some humble pie.
Durant, Giannis, and Haliburton all headed for Golden State.
Book it!
Guys I found Davey J’s new handle!
If I remember right, Kevin has always wanted to play for (insert name here), head coach of the New York Knicks. In all seriousness, of the Knicks want to make trades this offseason then they should probably start looking at coaches who aren’t already under contract.