The Phoenix Suns are reportedly getting closer to having a trade in place for veteran star Kevin Durant, albeit with a number of teams still in the running to secure his services.
“The Suns know, if they are going to trade Durant, they clearly have a price threshold they want met. I had one team tell me today it’s kinda a game of chicken at this point,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “From the Houston Rockets to the Miami Heat to the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s literally one or two pieces away, either which way, that can get a deal done. … My understanding is they are in talks with those three teams specifically.”
As Charania previously reported, the Heat, Spurs and Rockets are Durant’s “preferred trade destinations” and the “three teams Durant would commit to with a long-term extension.”
Much of the reporting around any potential deals since, however, has indicated that the Spurs aren’t likely to meet Phoenix’s asking price.
The Timberwolves seemingly maintain interest, meanwhile, despite not being on Durant’s wish list, and it makes sense—pairing Anthony Edwards with his favorite player would give the team an excellent one-two punch.
Edwards, however, is not on the proverbial recruiting trail this summer.
“Talked to some people close to Anthony Edwards,” ESPN’s Marc J. Spears said on Wednesday’s NBA Today (h/t RealGM). “This is a non-story. He’s in Atlanta working out. He loves his former teammate. He loves his current teammates. Some people close to me said he’s focused on what’s next with this team. And he’s not flying to L.A. to try to convince K.D. anything different.”
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst later confirmed that reporting.
“That’s legitimately an important piece of information,” he said. “Ant is not recruiting Durant. Durant says he doesn’t want to be in Minnesota. The deal is not done. This is not heading towards Minnesota. Obviously things can change. This is not heading like Durant is going to Minnesota. Spears is making it very clear the way Ant is feeling.”
Despite what Durant’s wishes might be, however, the Suns still have the right to get the best deal for themselves. Do the Heat really have the goods to land Durant without giving up Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro?
That feels unlikely, which perhaps leaves the Rockets—flush with intriguing young players and future draft capital—as the best marriage between what Durant wants and what Phoenix is hoping to get in return. The Rockets have taken a patient team-building approach around their young players to this point, however, and may not be keen to break up too much of their core for a player who will be 37 once the 2025-26 season begins.
Time will tell. For now, the game of chicken is clearly on.
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