The Wolves are not including Jaden McDaniels in any KD trade talks, per team sources, which means that one of Randle or Rudy Gobert would have to be the primary salary eater in the deal. Randle has a $31 million player option for next season. Gobert makes $35 million. Including either one of them not only helps in the salary matching portion of the deal, but both veterans would be reliable contributors who could help Devin Booker and the Suns compete now. It does not appear that Phoenix wants to tear down and rebuild as part of this trade. Randle and Gobert both figured prominently in Minnesota’s run to the conference finals last season. Both are floor-raisers for the regular season at a minimum, and both had big moments in the playoffs before struggling in the conference finals against OKC.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Analyzed all the reporting Saturday on KD wanting to land with the Spurs, Rockets, or Heat.
Looked at latest reports Wolves might not be close anymore to getting deal done and then put some hypothetical packages together for SA/HOU/MIA.
open.substack.com/pub/thespotups… – 2:19 AM
Analyzed all the reporting Saturday on KD wanting to land with the Spurs, Rockets, or Heat.
Looked at latest reports Wolves might not be close anymore to getting deal done and then put some hypothetical packages together for SA/HOU/MIA.
open.substack.com/pub/thespotups… – 2:19 AM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Spurs are one of three teams on Kevin Durant’s preferred destination list open.substack.com/pub/thespotups… pic.x.com/GO09H3J1xw – 2:16 AM
Spurs are one of three teams on Kevin Durant’s preferred destination list open.substack.com/pub/thespotups… pic.x.com/GO09H3J1xw – 2:16 AM
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
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
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: Kevin Durant prefers to land with the Heat, Rockets, Spurs, as three teams he would commit with long term – ESPN: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 10:28 PM
Sources: Kevin Durant prefers to land with the Heat, Rockets, Spurs, as three teams he would commit with long term – ESPN: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 10:28 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
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
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
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
With the Kevin Durant trade negotiations fully underway and a list of suitors known, I took a stab at what the Suns could be holding firm on with each team as the bidding continues and we wait for a deal to get done: arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-su… – 5:48 PM
With the Kevin Durant trade negotiations fully underway and a list of suitors known, I took a stab at what the Suns could be holding firm on with each team as the bidding continues and we wait for a deal to get done: arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-su… – 5:48 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“I thought about being done then.”
Six years later, Bob Myers reflects on the heartbreak of the 2019 NBA Finals and the injuries to KD and Klay with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine pic.x.com/scRKs9I1bo – 4:18 PM
“I thought about being done then.”
Six years later, Bob Myers reflects on the heartbreak of the 2019 NBA Finals and the injuries to KD and Klay with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine pic.x.com/scRKs9I1bo – 4:18 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
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
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Kevin Durant trade buzz: Timberwolves and Heat leading the chase sportando.basketball/en/kevin-duran… – 3:49 PM
Kevin Durant trade buzz: Timberwolves and Heat leading the chase sportando.basketball/en/kevin-duran… – 3:49 PM
Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
“I miss being around Ant every day.”
Perhaps you might like to know how Kevin Durant felt about playing with Anthony Edwards in the Olympics. Here’s some of what he told me for “Ant,” which you can order through various places here: harpercollins.com/products/ant-c… pic.x.com/mch4L0PFk4 – 2:42 PM
“I miss being around Ant every day.”
Perhaps you might like to know how Kevin Durant felt about playing with Anthony Edwards in the Olympics. Here’s some of what he told me for “Ant,” which you can order through various places here: harpercollins.com/products/ant-c… pic.x.com/mch4L0PFk4 – 2:42 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
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
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
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
All the latest from the Kevin Durant Trade Talks … via LOTS of new reporting from @JakeLFischer: tinyurl.com/tv8p6pjy pic.x.com/JIYsrvRfFx – 2:00 PM
All the latest from the Kevin Durant Trade Talks … via LOTS of new reporting from @JakeLFischer: tinyurl.com/tv8p6pjy pic.x.com/JIYsrvRfFx – 2:00 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
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
Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
New Zach Lowe Show! @BillSimmons and I react to G4 of what is shaping up to be an epic Finals, and talk KD, Giannis, Knicks coaching search, draft/trades — all things NBA offseason:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4bLdWW…
YouTube: youtu.be/ORTDQsy3wLQ – 9:33 AM
New Zach Lowe Show! @BillSimmons and I react to G4 of what is shaping up to be an epic Finals, and talk KD, Giannis, Knicks coaching search, draft/trades — all things NBA offseason:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4bLdWW…
YouTube: youtu.be/ORTDQsy3wLQ – 9:33 AM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
As the Kevin Durant noise gets louder, the busy part of the NBA offseason is approaching. Here are important dates and deadlines to know for the Heat miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 9:24 AM
As the Kevin Durant noise gets louder, the busy part of the NBA offseason is approaching. Here are important dates and deadlines to know for the Heat miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 9:24 AM
More on this storyline
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
Krawczynski: That’s right, Sam. When we dove into the Wolves’ interest before the deadline that ultimately did not result in a deal, it was easy to see how conversations between the two teams at that time could lay the foundation for renewed talks this summer. In speaking to sources connected to the team and around the league, the Wolves and Suns have been talking again about a Durant deal. But to this point, there is nothing close to happening. -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
Christopher Hine: Jaden McDaniels on not fouling Shai in Game 3: “Kept my hands out of his shooting motion, or just kept my hands off him at all. … He’ll use his arms to tangle in yours and my arms are so long, it’s like they be getting caught places I don’t even want them to be.” -via Twitter @ChristopherHine / May 26, 2025
Dave McMenamin: Anthony Edwards on the Wolves’ defense waking up in Game 3: “It starts with Jaden McDaniels. He didn’t make an All-Defensive Team, which is terrible for [the] people who get a vote. He showed them again tonight why he should be on the defensive team.” -via Twitter @mcten / May 25, 2025