It appears like Kevin Durant is on the verge of being traded and the Suns celebrity reportedly has a want listing of groups he wish to be part of.
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It has lengthy been recognized that Durant is unlikely to play at Phoenix subsequent season, with the Suns even discussing a possible transfer involving the 15-time All-Star forward of the commerce deadline.
Whereas that didn’t eventuate, one other underwhelming season — which noticed Phoenix end eleventh within the Western Convention — solely additional put Durant on the trail to being traded.
And talking forward of Sport 4 of the NBA Finals, ESPN insider Shams Charania mentioned Durant might be traded earlier than the tip of subsequent week.
“I believe there’s some motivation with some groups, doubtlessly even prior to seven days, possibly within the subsequent few days we might get some Kevin Durant commerce motion,” he mentioned.
“There’s some severe traction on conversations and commerce situations.”
Charania then revealed on Sunday in a report for ESPN that the Miami Warmth, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are Durant’s most popular commerce locations.
Durant is on an expiring $54.7 million deal for the 2025-26 season and as soon as traded, will probably be eligible to signal a two-year contract extension on July 6 price as a lot as $122 million.
Moreover, if Durant waited one other six months after the commerce, he might signal a two-year extension price as much as $124 million.
Both manner, it complicates issues additional for any workforce attempting to commerce for Durant given there are not any ensures he might be in it for the lengthy haul.
Nonetheless, Charania reported that Miami, San Antonio and Houston are the three groups Durant can be keen to decide to with long-term extensions.
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In fact, the subsequent query is whether or not these are the identical groups Phoenix can be involved in buying and selling Durant to.
Effectively, in keeping with Charania there are two groups that each Durant and the Suns appear to be eager on negotiating with.
The ESPN insider beforehand reported that “the main focus” of Phoenix’s conversations have been on the Rockets, Warmth and Minnesota Timberwolves.
As for what the Suns might be after in a possible Durant bundle, Jake Fischer reported that they’re “hoping to accumulate a measure of high quality draft capital”.
With that in thoughts, Fischer reported Phoenix has been trying into a variety of first-round prospects on this yr’s draft with the “perception they’ll acquire not less than one significant choice”.
Regardless of that, with Devin Booker nonetheless on the roster, Fischer reported that the Suns haven’t any want to enter a rebuild and in order that can also be price preserving in thoughts with regards to the potential packages any groups might supply Phoenix.
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For instance, the Warmth might supply starting-calibre gamers like Andrew Wiggins and Duncan Robinson together with first-round picks.
In distinction, Fischer reported that sources declare “Phoenix is just not enamored with the gamers San Antonio has made obtainable within the groups’ talks so far”.
Fischer singled out Miami and Minnesota as the 2 groups “most steadily cited as potential touchdown spots” for Durant, in keeping with his sources.
“San Antonio and Houston — and to a lesser extent each the LA Clippers and Toronto — have additionally been steadily talked about by executives all through the league as groups with various levels of curiosity in buying and selling for Durant,” he added.