Kevin Durant is one of the biggest names to watch this offseason following reports that the Suns‘ 36-year-old star has likely played his last game in Phoenix. With that in mind, Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin broke down six 2025 playoff teams who might make sense as Durant suitors, exploring how he would fit on each roster and what they could offer the Suns in a potential trade.
The first destination Rankin looked at is the Timberwolves, who reportedly had legitimate interest in Durant at the 2025 trade deadline. While Rankin says the Suns should be most interested in Julius Randle, his proposed deal includes Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, and young depth like Rob Dillingham and Jaylen Clark.
Other trade options considered by Rankin involve a one-for-one trade with the Warriors for Jimmy Butler, a deal that lands the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant or Desmond Bane in Phoenix, two centered around young upside swings for either the Rockets’ Jalen Green and Jabari Smith or the Pistons’ Jaden Ivey, and a depth-replenishing trade with the Heat for Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, and Kel’el Ware.
While the Suns face cap-related limitations on any deal, Durant will undoubtedly have his share of suitors once the trade markets open.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- After rescinding their trade for the Hornets’ Mark Williams, the Lakers were stuck without a playable starting center in the 2025 playoffs. Going into the 2025/26 season, filling that hole will be priority one, especially given Luka Doncic‘s love of playing with a lob threat, writes Khobi Price of the Orange County Register. Price quotes general manager Rob Pelinka‘s address to the media following the season: “It would be great to have a center that was a vertical threat, lob threat, and someone that could protect the interior defensively… There’s also spread centers that can protect the rim. We’ll look at those as well. I wouldn’t want to limit the archetype, but we know we need a big man.” Price lists the Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford and the Nets’ Nic Claxton as prime trade targets, while the Hawks’ Clint Capela stands out as a top free agent option.
- The Kings announced six pre-draft workouts for Monday, June 2nd, per Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee (via Twitter). That list includes Marcus Williams from USF, Alijah Martin out of Florida, Chibuzo Agbo from USC, Texas’ Arthur Kaluma, David N’Guessan from Kansas State, and Daniel Batcho of Louisiana Tech. While a majority of the candidates are big men, Williams and Martin are both 6’2″ well-rounded guards. Martin is the only ranked player on ESPN’s top-100 board from the group of candidates, coming in at No. 61, after averaging 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 36% from three.
Not getting much for a 36 year old on an expiring contract that can’t stay healthy in the second half of his career.
Durant is a hot product,. he Will be overpriced
Durant to Spurs for Barnes, Sochan, Castle、 filler, and 12 million cap room
Unbeatable
No way does SA include Castle
Being on an expiring contract is one of the things that makes him valuable.
STOP already with Durant to Rockets!!! I know generic sports journalists need to justify the paycheck but get some new material already!
It’ll happen once no one else steps up with a decent offer. They won’t have to give up much
Step 1: Jimmy for KD 1-1
Step 2: Dray and everyone else for Giannis in a multi-teamer
Step 3: replace Kerr with Iguodala
Steph, KD and Giannis and nobodies stay healthy and win the next 3 titles
Whatever you are smoking where can I get some? Must be some amazing stuff.
FankenStein is due for a new brain …. lol
LMFAO
Laugh now, cry later, lil broski
The only one doing the crying here is you Davey J. Always has been.
Imagine for the suns
KD for Randle, Conley and Leonard Miller and a first
Bradley Beal for Paul George
Conley Booker PG Randle Richards
… Allen Martin Dunn …
Opt out on Micic and ONeale leaves, gives you a little bit to spend to fill the gaps.
That atleast looks like a proper team on paper.
Conley sets the floor, Booker can focus more on scoring, PG on the wing as a 3 and D guy, Randle as your second option. Not terrible depth at all.
Plus you get a future first from the Wolves.
Sixers should take Beal his deal is for less years and he’s younger and less injury prone (slightly). Maxey Beal Bailey Embiid with McCain off the bench. I like that.
TWolves, ANT KD McDaniels Gobert, all you need is a point guard. Donte still there, develop Dillingham. That’s a championship roster.
I don’t think that trade works under the with all the salary restrictions for one.
Two Randle pry opts out and get more money
Three I don’t understand why Oneale is leaving he just signed an extension.
Four: Beal would have to waive his no trade
Five: The suns have already been reported to not believe Richards is a starting center.
Not trying to hate I just don’t see how this gets close to done
Wolves would have to also include Donte for the trade to work financially, but I would still do it.
Wolves bench is all 2way guys then? PG stinks now. This trade doesn’t even make the Suns better. No shot does Phily take Beal to pair with Maxey. Wolves cant afford all of KD, McDaniels, Ant and Rudy.
Everyone loves to cowardly take shots at my trade ideas with no counter-analysis, but this one is legitimately never ever happening.
Wow the Sun’s reporter is worse at making up trades than people here. Dunae thinks the Suns are going to get a boatload for KD. Did he forget that the Suns hands are tied on bringing back any more payroll?
Exactly what I was thinking. Sounds like silliman hacked his account
Or maybe it’s just Davey J as the ghost writer..
The mere thought of somebody hiring Davey J for a job is ridiculous
Literally the best trade the Suns can make with KD is to get Jimmy Butler for KD, 1-1, where he is a better fit with Booker and Beal.
KD at 36 is ln his last yrs. So any team that trades for him. Is banking on next 2-3 yrs to contend. Otherwise wy trade for him ……. Besides KD will be approaching some historic career numbers.
I can see a few teams looking at him. Including the Knicks.
As a Heat fan, I don’t think Herro is untouchable and I would include him in a trade for Durant in heartbeat. He is a good scorer, but I don’t think he is real difference maker for the Heat. In a perfect world, I would try to unload Terry Rozier in that deal as well. I would try to shop Wiggins back to the Warriors in a Kuminga deal instead.
The best offers for Giannis will come from San Antonio and Houston. Bucks can redo team with good young talent and high draft picks this draft.
Considering Dame is out till end of year. They can do a Giannis trade at draft. Then can look into moving Dame at TD.
You know what works for Lakers —- Suns —
Knecht for Richards …..
I am intrigued by SAS. They have assets to get KD. Wemby-KD-Fox.