The Phoenix Suns are expected to trade Kevin Durant in the near future, and the list of suitors for the two-time NBA Finals MVP appears to be narrowing.
The Suns have reportedly held discussions with at least five teams about potential trades involving Durant. On Saturday, NBA reporter Jake Fischer named two franchises as the most likely to acquire Durant — the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat.
“Things are obviously fluid at this stage, but the two teams most frequently cited as potential landing spots for Durant entering Saturday’s business, league sources say, were Minnesota and Miami,” Fischer wrote.
The Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals this year, where the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated them in five games. It seems that they believe adding Durant to a team led by Anthony Edwards can help them get over the hump.
Miami struggled through a 37-45 season after trading Jimmy Butler and was then swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round of the playoffs. If the Suns are giving Durant a say in his next destination and winning a championship is his top priority, Minnesota might be a more sensible option.
Durant will turn 37 in September and has suffered some significant injuries throughout his career. While he continued to play at an elite level this season with 26.6 points per game, some teams might be hesitant to give him an extension. The 15-time All-Star is owed $54.7M in the final year of his contract next season.
The Suns appear to want a resolution with the Durant situation sooner rather than later, so it may not be long before a team has a new superstar.
