Wolves not incuding Jaden McDaniels in Kevin Durant trade talks
Source: New York Times
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
KD leak about his preferred teams feels pretty pointed. Which, good for him and his reps, go for it. But I feel like Phoenix is just gonna move him where they want to move him. – 11:16 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Kevin Durant has been on the trade market effectively since February. The timing of this “preferred destinations” reporting feels conspicuous. It suggests to me that a non-preferred team is getting close and he’s working against them. – 10:19 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
The Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant’s preferred trade destinations out of Phoenix, sources tell ESPN. Those across the NBA have been made aware in recent days that those are the three teams that Durant would commit to long-term. pic.x.com/Hqn5hDaWxC – 9:51 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
One thing worth noting on potential Kevin Durant trades: there are important Suns voices who want to add a starting-caliber C this offseason. There are several pathways to do this but KD trade obviously gives PHX the clearest path to one. As many others have said, MIN is among – 4:09 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
I know there has been a ton of chatter about the Wolves and KD. I believe, like in February, there is interest. There have been some discussions about deals. But as far as I know, nothing is close. Things can always change quickly, but that’s where I’m at right now. – 2:38 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Re RT: Fischer says Wolves & Heat are the 2 potential landing spots for Kevin Durant as of Saturday.
Regarding Spurs, he says Suns have not been “enamored” with players SA has made available, like Vassell, Keldon, or Barnes.
SA of course won’t include Castle or #2 pick in trade – 2:10 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
What fascinates me most about Durant pursuit: For past 5 years, Heat has had an asset threshold it won’t surpass for each available star (varies depending on the star). Will dismal end to last season and 37-45 make them decide over coming days to bid more than they would like or – 12:10 PM
At one point, team sources say, Phoenix was determined to regain control of its draft capital (first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and swap rights in 2029) and at another, was seeking multiple young talents like Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green. Recently, forward Jabari Smith Jr.’s name has come up pertaining to the Suns’ interest, team and league sources say. Green, whose name has been connected to Durant and other stars in trade rumors, is determined to improve upon his playoff struggles and wants to stay in Houston, league sources say. But the Rockets have largely been uninterested in breaking up their depth, even for a future Hall of Famer. There’s also the question of his age and injury history — juxtaposed with the timeline of Houston’s young core — and the tradeoff that comes with championship-chasing and development. -via New York Times / June 15, 2025
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. From there, the list of reported suitors — with Minnesota and Miami among them — is somewhat similar to the one from four months ago. There is always a chance, of course, that a wild-card team surprises us all with a late push as well. -via New York Times / June 15, 2025
This is not to say that the Wolves have much financial flexibility. If Julius Randle ($30,935,520) and Naz Reid ($15,022,464) opt into their player options, they will have seven players on eight-figure annual salaries, and are almost over the provisional tax threshold with just half a roster under contract. What the Wolves do not have, though, are bad contracts. Gobert’s resurgence in Minnesota (winning his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in the 2023-24 season) combined with a pay cut in the extension he signed in October sees his once-substantial price tag come down, and while Jaden McDaniels’ $131 million rookie extension will keep him expensive for the next four seasons, it is retradeable. -via HoopsHype / May 29, 2025