The NBA is preparing for a blockbuster Kevin Durant trade ahead of the draft and offseason. Durant will be 37 years old in September and is on an expiring contract, but it’s not stopping a bunch of teams from being interested in the two-time NBA champion.
ESPN’s Shams Charania has shared Durant’s three preferred destinations — the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. The entire league knows that these three franchises have the best chances of landing the former MVP, but at least eight teams are reportedly interested.
The Heat doesn’t have a championship core at the moment, but the weather and no income tax are huge pluses. The Spurs and Rockets are two of the most exciting young teams in need of a veteran star to take them over the hump.
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“Durant is on an expiring $54.7 million deal for 2025-26, and the Suns have made clear to six-to-eight seriously interested teams that they will make the best deal for the franchise – even outside of his preferred list of Miami, San Antonio and Houston,” Charania tweeted.
Kevin Durant has spent the past two and a half seasons with the Phoenix Suns. He’s on an expiring contract, but he’ll be eligible to sign a two-year extension worth up to $122 million if traded before July 6. If he waits for six months after his trade, KD’s extension could reach $124 million.
Despite his age, Durant remains one of the best players in the NBA. He has been hampered by injuries since 2019, but most of them were freak accidents. He is stellar as long as he’s on the court, though his time in Phoenix has been disappointing due to the team’s overall result.
The Suns made the playoffs after his acquisition in 2023, but fell to the Denver Nuggets in the second round. They were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves last year, then missed the postseason this year.
Charles Barkley offers advice to Phoenix Suns amid Kevin Durant trade saga
Former NBA MVP and Phoenix Suns legend Charles Barkley offered some advice to the franchise amid the Kevin Durant trade saga. Barkley, who has had beef with Durant in the past, wanted the Suns to get the best package available and not worry about KD’s feelings.
“You make the best deal for him, “Barkley said. “Don’t worry about his feelings and make the best deal for yourself. Some people are going to take a chance on him, and some people are not because he only has one year left, and he’s 36.”
Among his three preferred destinations, the Spurs and Rockets are filled with young pieces to satisfy the Suns’ need.
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Edited by Juan Paolo David
