Five future options open up for Kevin Durant
According to Shams Charania, the forward’s trade will be confirmed once the Suns are eliminated.
It’s a poorly kept secret in the NBA: the Suns, one of the biggest flops in NBA history, will completely rethink their strategy this summer—unless, of course, there’s a miraculous turnaround to a season that’s been disastrous to the point of embarrassment. And the changes at the sports level will begin with Kevin Durant, whose name was already circulating in trade rumors before the winter break. While KD stayed in Arizona, it’s now all but certain that, barring something unexpected, Durant will finish the season with the Suns but likely change teams again afterward, especially if the team’s dreadful dynamics don’t improve.
Shams Charania, ESPN’s leading NBA insider, confirmed this on the Pat McAfee Show, despite recent rumours suggesting that things could be salvaged and that the summer of 2025 might not necessarily mark the end of KD’s time with the Suns. However, Charania believes the trade is all but inevitable, and that the situation will accelerate once the Suns’ free-fall season officially concludes. “Barring a miracle, there will be changes, and those changes will start with Kevin Durant,” Charania said.
Charania has also shared a list of potential destinations—teams that were already on the radar during the winter and that Durant favors. The Suns are expected to handle his departure with the respect he deserves, given his status as one of the NBA’s greatest players. Among the teams on this list are the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Suns and Kevin Durant are expected to work on a trade out of Phoenix this summer.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 2, 2025
KD had interest in Knicks, Timberwolves, Rockets, Spurs, and Heat at this past trade deadline, per @ShamsCharania 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y5qhXVcciR
Some of these teams, like the Knicks, Heat, and Rockets, have been long-time suitors for Durant, driven by mutual interest. The Knicks seemed like an obvious destination when Durant left the Warriors in 2019, but he chose to join Kyrie Irving on the Brooklyn Nets instead, a decision partly motivated by his desire to be in New York, where his off-court business operations are based. The Heat, aiming to revitalize their project, have tried to make a deal several times, most recently in February, using Jimmy Butler as a potential trade asset. However, Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause made it difficult to finalize any deals involving multi-player trades.
The Rockets have also been in the mix for some time. They are nearing the end of their rebuild and have both draft picks and young players to offer, making them an attractive suitor from the Suns’ perspective. Houston also has the pieces to compete, and—like the Spurs—has a potential home-court advantage, as Durant played his only year of college basketball at the University of Texas. The Timberwolves are another competitive team, though, like the Knicks, they might struggle to put together a significant trade package. Meanwhile, the Spurs, who already boast Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, could make a compelling offer. Adding Durant could propel them into Western Conference contention.
Durant will turn 37 before the start of next season, and his injury history is well-known. However, his longevity and historic talent are unquestionable. This season, amid the Suns’ collapse, he has averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
If he moves, this will be his fifth NBA team, following stints with the Thunder (including a season with the Supersonics before the team moved from Seattle to OKC), the Warriors (with two rings and two Finals MVPs), the Brooklyn Nets (alongside Kyrie Irving and James Harden), and the Suns (with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal).
From the horse’s mouth, Kevin Durant wasn’t interested in the Knicks. pic.twitter.com/yyOLQvUOey
— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) April 2, 2025
The Suns have built one of the most expensive teams in NBA history, but it’s an unsustainable project both financially and competitively. Designed to compete for championships, the team was swept in the first round (4-0) by the Timberwolves last year and may not even make it to the playoffs this season, struggling to stay within the play-in zone. This disastrous outcome, of course, promises major changes ahead.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment