Kevin Durant Reportedly Prefers Two Trade Destinations, But It Might Not Matter

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a play during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.

Kevin Durant appears primed for a move this offseason—the biggest question is where he’ll end up.

Amid swirling rumors that the Phoenix Suns star is most closely linked to the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves, a new report from The Athletic states that Durant prefers teams on the other side of the country in the southwest region.

The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Jon Krawczynski and Kelly Iko wrote Saturday night that Durant would like to play for the San Antonio Spurs or the Houston Rockets next season.

The only caveat? His preferences might not matter.

Here’s an excerpt from The Athletic’s latest report:

Yet in contrast to the February trade deadline, when a Durant deal to Golden State was nixed by the Warriors because he’d made it clear he didn’t want a reunion tour, his preference won’t likely be a deciding factor this time around.

League sources say Durant prefers to play for the San Antonio Spurs or the Houston Rockets, for example, but there are complicating factors with both of those negotiations that (for now, at least) make a deal look unlikely.

The report goes on to name the Timberwolves and the Heat as two other suitors who could be in the mix, and doesn’t rule out the possibility of a wild-card team joining the Durant sweepstakes, either.

Shams Charania confirmed The Athletic’s report on Saturday night and threw in the Heat as a third preferred destination for the 15-time All-Star, noting that they were the three teams he would “commit to long-term.”

“The Suns have made clear to six-to-eight seriously interested teams that they will make the best deal for the franchise—even outside of his preferred list of Miami, San Antonio and Houston,” Charania wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Durant, who’s entering the final year of his contract with the Suns, does not have a no-trade clause in his deal. One would imagine the 36-year-old still has some leverage in potential trade discussions, but it may not be much, as the insiders have made clear Phoenix could ignore his wishes entirely and do what’s in their own best interest this summer.

Related Posts

LAKERS UPDATE: LeBron James Turns Heads With $37 Million Move in Los Angeles

LeBron James has yet to officially commit to the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, but is already making another very high-priced move…

Trade Breaking!! Blockbuster 3-Team Trade Idea Featuring Lakers, Warriors, Nets, And 6 Players, Including Kuminga And Claxton

A blockbuster three-team swap retools the Lakers’ frontcourt with future stars, gives the Warriors a younger face in Dalton Knecht plus Finney-Smith’s glue, and injects Brooklyn with…

Veteran’s career with Warriors all but over after expected decision on young pair

Kevon Looney’s future at the Golden State Warriors appears all but over as the beloved 3x champion prepares to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. The

$112 Million Forward Named “Ambitious” Trade Target for Warriors

The impressive forward would be an “ambitious” trade target for the Golden State Warriors heading into the summer

Jimmy Butler Turns Heads With Announcement on Saturday

The Golden State Warriors formed a talented roster last season, bringing in Jimmy Butler to join forces with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Golden State traded for Butler ahead of the trade deadline, looking…

Warriors Land $90 Million Center in Bold NBA Trade Idea

The Golden State Warriors are coming off an underwhelming playoff exit, losing in the second round to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves had Golden St