Kevin Durant is once again at the center of offseason trade speculation, with the Phoenix Suns star reportedly expressing interest in moving on from the team. As teams gear up for next NBA season, Durant’s future could hinge on one critical element, according to Shams Charania.
Speaking on NBA Today, Charania explained that Durant’s next destination will likely be a team that sees him as the missing piece for a championship run. “Which team believes they’re a Kevin Durant away from winning a championship? That’s what this could come down to,” he said.
The Suns are reportedly exploring ways to move Durant’s substantial contract while honoring his desire to join a more competitive roster. Discussions are said to involve Durant’s business partner as the team evaluates potential trade destinations.
Charania has identified the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks as frontrunners for Durant’s services. These teams are believed to have both the assets and the championship ambitions to make a deal work.
Despite Charania’s reports, Suns insider John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert that much of the information circulating about Durant’s trade is inaccurate.
“The vast majority of stuff you are reading on KD trades are not even close. This is that time of year when rumors/speculation and some bad reporting go wild. Nothing moving on KD yet. It will happen, but it is not close,” Gambadoro wrote.
The two-time NBA champion hefty contract also factors into the trade calculus. The forward is set to earn $54.7 million next season and has the option to extend his deal for $112 million this summer—or wait until January to sign a $124 million extension. Despite these options, the growing consensus is that Durant’s time in Phoenix may be nearing its end.