Kevin Durant Trade Watch: Timberwolves and Knicks Emerging as Top Suitors

NBA Trade Rumors: Kevin Durant Trade Watch: Timberwolves and Knicks Emerging as Top Suitors

As the Phoenix Suns prepare for what could be a seismic offseason shake-up, the name at the center of it all is — once again — Kevin Durant. After a first-round playoff exit and continued struggles to mesh with stars Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Suns are reportedly open to working with Durant on a new destination. And according to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks have emerged as the two most serious potential landing spots.

Why the Timberwolves Make Sense

Minnesota was already in on Durant at the trade deadline, and their interest hasn’t cooled. Here’s why a KD-Wolves pairing is gaining momentum:

• Anthony Edwards idolizes Durant, and KD’s offensive gravity would create easier shots for the rising superstar.

• The Wolves are already one of the best defensive teams in the league — adding Durant would give them the offensive firepower to truly compete for a title.

• They’re short on future draft picks (thanks to the Rudy Gobert trade), but they could offer Karl-Anthony Towns, a younger All-Star who may be a better fit in Phoenix's timeline.

Potential package:

• Karl-Anthony Towns

• A future pick or two (2029+, swaps)

• Salary filler (Kyle Anderson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker)

Would Phoenix bite? Possibly — especially if they want to remain competitive with Booker and Beal.

Why the Knicks Are in Play

The New York Knicks have been one of the NBA’s most aggressive teams in the trade market over the past few years — and they’ve got the assets to land another star:

• They own a war chest of draft picks, including multiple protected firsts and their own.

• They’ve shown they're all-in, having already added Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns (according to the article's scenario).

• Durant coming to NYC would be the ultimate twist after spurning the Knicks for the Nets in 2019.

Potential package:

• RJ Barrett or Julius Randle

• A combo of Quentin Grimes, Donte DiVincenzo, or Josh Hart

• 2–3 first-round picks

• Salary matching

The question is whether the Knicks would give up too much to bring KD in at age 36 with a history of injuries and only one year left on his contract.

Should These Teams Actually Do It?

Durant is still playing at an elite level — 26.6 PPG, 43% from three, and he hasn’t lost a step offensively. But the risks are obvious:

• Durability: He’s missed chunks of most recent seasons.

• Fit: Will he gel with ball-dominant stars like Anthony Edwards or Jalen Brunson?

• Cost: Acquiring Durant could gut the depth that makes these teams contenders.

This trade would be about going all-in, betting that the upside of a Durant-led squad outweighs the cost of lost future flexibility.

Final Take

Both the Timberwolves and Knicks have reason to chase Durant — and enough pieces to make a compelling offer. But this is a high-risk, high-reward move for either team. The better question may be: Is a 36-year-old KD the final piece of a championship puzzle... or a move that could set a franchise back years if it doesn't work out?

What do you think — would KD make the Wolves or Knicks instant title contenders? Or should both teams look elsewhere?