NBA Trade Rumors: The uncertain future of Kevin Durant and the top offseason landing destinations
In some ways, the Luka Doncic trade wasn't the most outrageous NBA trade deadline tale.
It was the Luka Doncic trade, all right. The unexpected rumors of a Kevin Durant deal, however, came in second. In fact, it was unexpected. We had been hearing for weeks that the Phoenix Suns were attempting to trade Jimmy Butler for Bradley Beal. Completely rational. Any team that has the opportunity should trade Butler for Beal.
But those whispers soon turned to Durant as it became apparent that Beal was staying [insert Leo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street]. Could the Suns send KD to the Warriors in an attempt to acquire Butler from Miami, or trade Durant for Butler?
The rumblings were pretty unexpected. Obviously, Durant did not request a trade. Prior to the trade deadline on February 6, the Suns put the 14-time All-Star on the chopping block and openly accepted calls, despite his veto of a reunion with Golden State (and reportedly a number of other clubs). Although nothing came to pass in time, it is now reasonable to anticipate that Durant trade negotiations will resume during the offseason.
According to NBA Central, ESPN's Brian Windhorst thinks Durant is a little irritated by the whole thing.
"He was not happy he was put into trade talks. I think it's unpredictable what will happen for the next few months because it's the nature of the sport, but I think right now it is reasonable to forecast that Durant will be breaking up with the Suns in the summer."
It makes perfect sense for Durant to do this. Despite the Suns' lackluster performance on the floor, he repeatedly made verbal commitments to them. By all accounts, Durant has seemed happy in Phoenix, so the Suns making trade offers behind his back likely seemed disrespectful.
This is where Kevin Durant should wind up since he is essentially gone from Phoenix.
To be honest, it was unfortunate that Durant chose to ruin a Warriors reunion. Returning to a franchise he rejected and mending damaged relationships would have been a pleasant remedy for his "legacy," whatever that term means in this context, for someone who so obviously cares about perception.
It makes perfect sense for Durant to do this. Despite the Suns' lackluster performance on the floor, he repeatedly made verbal commitments to them. By all accounts, Durant has seemed happy in Phoenix, so the Suns making trade offers behind his back likely seemed disrespectful.
This is where Kevin Durant should wind up since he is essentially gone from Phoenix.
To be honest, it was unfortunate that Durant chose to ruin a Warriors reunion. Returning to a franchise he rejected and mending damaged relationships would have been a pleasant remedy for his "legacy," whatever that term means in this context, for someone who so obviously cares about perception.
The Suns aren't good enough the way they are, and there is no way to make any real changes unless they turn Durant's 36-year-old contract into a respectable haul.
Some of these teams just seem to make sense.
Minnesota Timberwolves
According to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski and Sam Amick, Durant would have agreed to a trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves because to Anthony Edwards. The Wolves lack valuable long-term assets of any kind and have no good draft picks to trade, but Durant will have a lot of leverage in the offseason because his deal is about to expire. He is aware that he will soon be traded and will have some degree of control over where he ends up.
The Karl-Anthony Towns deal has left the Wolves in a difficult situation. Durant is still very excellent and would add a dynamism that this Wolves offense sorely needs, but there are reasons to be wary of trading for a late-30s fading great. Edwards and Durant are a perfect match, and Minnesota can surround Durant with a good defensive system as he enters the next phase of his career.
Gobert, Durant, and Edwards may work together. That is a lot more in line with the team's skill balance from the previous season's conference finals. The Wolves don't have much to trade, so the price can't be high, but the window would be brief. We might as well investigate it.
Miami Heat
Before Butler was traded to Golden State to replace Durant, the Miami Heat and Suns discussed a possible KD and Butler trade. It's clear that Miami has had interest in Durant for some time. It must be assumed that both parties are interested. That is a top-tier company, and Erik Spoelstra is one of the greatest coaches of all time.
To be honest, Miami is the perfect place for an aging celebrity. The Heat organization has a dedication to fitness maintenance that is unmatched in the league. Additionally, the Spoelstra factor is real. We've watched Spo manage Butler's declining career and make the most of innumerable "aging" stars like Dwyane Wade or Kyle Lowry. He understands how to set his top players for success.
With their infrastructure, the Heat can compete with Durant. In the frontcourt, Bam Adebayo is still a contender for All-Defense, and Tyler Herro has advanced to the All-Star team. One of the NBA's most outstanding rookies this season has been Kel'el Ware. Although a Durant trade package would likely start with Andrew Wiggins, Miami possesses the necessary pieces and organizational structure to support Durant in his latter years.
Oklahoma City Thunder
I will not stop talking about this. Any Durant move would have a big financial impact, but the Oklahoma City Thunder still have Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams signed to rookie contracts for another season. Since the Suns need a good defensive foundation more than any other NBA team, Isaiah Hartenstein's $30 million salary is the ideal key return piece.
Assume that Durant rejoins OKC in the last year of his deal. At least in the Western Conference, the Thunder instantly become the clear favorite to win the championship. The rest of OKC's core nicely offsets Durant's main shortcomings, namely his lack of rim pressure in his post-prime years.
The best cutting guard in the NBA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The bulk of OKC's rotation has the ability to deteriorate and bring down a defense. Alongside Holmgren in the frontcourt, Durant can establish himself behind the 3-point line and provide another flexible, floor-spacing presence. In many respects, he completes OKC's already strong offensive scheme.
Durant can still roam on the weak side and make plays with his elastic wingspan, even though his defense has recently deteriorated. Durant would be a perfect fit for OKC's defensive core, which is the most intimidating in the NBA. You guys, he's still Kevin Durant. You can pick and choose a top-20 player all you want, but Durant is a very effective volume shooter who is also seven feet tall and has the playmaking skills to be an offensive focal point when needed.
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