Kevin Durant, Brandon Ingram's Top Trade Landing Spots After 2024 NBA Draft
The first round of the NBA draft is over, but the offseason drama will only continue with a host of veteran players rumored to be on the move via trade or free agency.
Two of those players are Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that the Houston Rockets want to trade for Durant after the team landed some draft picks, although he noted those choices could be used to get someone else.
One day later, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported this on First Take:
Phoenix governor Mat Ishbia then wrote posted on X heavily implying that the team has no intentions to trade Durant and is shooting for a championship.
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix, who is Phoenix sports' preeminent insider, had this to say on both ESPN reports.
As for Ingram, NBA insider Marc Stein reported Tuesday that Ingram is seen as "more likely" to be traded this week. Last week, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported that The Pelicans were "dangling" Ingram in trade talks.
It seems a lot more likely that Ingram is headed somewhere than Durant, but here's a look at three teams where each player could potentially land if their times in town are done.
Kevin Durant
1 of 2
- Houston Rockets
- Miami Heat
- Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
In theory, the Rockets' reported interest makes sense. Houston was in the NBA basement for a few years after the end of the James Harden era but competed for the playoffs this past year after adding some veteran talent (Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks), a new head coach (Ime Udoka) and seeing progress from some young stars (Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün).
Despite all that, Houston finished 11th in the Western Conference, one spot outside the play-in tournament. Ten teams won 46 or more games in the West last year. It's an absolute gauntlet that's near-impossible to run through.
The Rockets are on the rise, but Durant would obviously make them an instant playoff contender and potential Western Conference powerhouse. Having a true alpha like him to build around would make everyone else around him much better in pursuit of playoff glory once again.
Miami Heat
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said in May on First Take that he likes the idea of Durant heading to the Heat.
"We know the Miami Heat went to two NBA Finals," Perkins stated. "Jimmy Butler wasn't able to get them over the hump. You get a guy like Kevin Durant in there. And also, the Miami Heat, they got some pieces. They got some pieces over there that's eye candy."
Here's what we know. Jimmy Butler can enter free agency after 2024-25. Bam Adebayo is planning to sign a three-year max extension. Tyler Herro is apparently the subject of endless trade rumors. Then there's a collection of mostly veterans who have fared well for the Heat in recent years and gotten them success, but not enough to win the championship.
KD could very well be that player to do so, and he and Adebayo could form a dynamic duo. His scoring prowess would be a huge win for a team that just finished 21st in offensive efficiency.
We're dealing in hypotheticals, of course, but KD on the surface would seem like a good fit in Miami.
Golden State Warriors
Durant played with the Golden State Warriors for three seasons (2016-17 to 2018-19), winning three Western Conference titles and two NBA Finals.
We do know that the Warriors are reportedly interested in another All-Star forward (but one who's an impending free agent) in Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers. Golden State is reportedly interested in giving PG-13 the four-year max.
"To this point, the Clippers have only been willing to offer Paul George about what they gave Kawhi Leonard," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said Wednesday on Get Up (h/t RealGM).
"Three years at a little bit less than the max contract, and Paul George, frankly, wants four years. He wants a full out max and there are a number of teams out there, I am told, that are prepared to give it to him, who are prepared to trade for him. One of those teams, potentially, is up the coast in Golden State."
So we know the Warriors aren't afraid of making a big splash. Durant doesn't seem likely, although a trade is at least feasible. There have been a few trade speculation ideas out there sending KD to the Warriors, including one from Andy Bailey for Bleacher Report.
Brandon Ingram
2 of 2
- Atlanta Hawks
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Cleveland Cavaliers
Atlanta Hawks
ESPN's Jonathan Givony (subscription required) reported on Wednesday that the Atlanta Hawks are gauging the trade market for both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray (subscription required), and he linked the New Orleans Pelicans as a potential landing spot.
Brandon Ingram would be the main piece heading back alongside potential draft picks or other players.
An Ingram addition would seemingly signal the continuation of a rebuild in Atlanta. He has $36 million left on his contract for 2024-25 before becoming a free agent. Trading one of Murray or Young frees up more salary off the books long-term.
Ultimately, the Hawks haven't been able to get it going since making the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals despite trying to add key pieces such as Murray and Clint Capela. Now seems like the time to tear it down and build it back up in hopes of brighter days. Ingram would seemingly be a temporary player in Atlanta and perhaps a trade piece in February for a team looking to make a run.
Philadelphia 76ers
Per league sources to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Pelicans contacted the Philadelphia 76ers regarding a potential Brandon Ingram trade.
The 76ers have money freed up with Tobias Harris, who was on a max deal, now presumably headed out of town in free agency.
Kevin O'Connor reported on the Bill Simmons Podcast on May 22 that league sources believed the 76ers had a "real shot" to sign Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George.
But if that falls through, the 76ers should obviously look elsewhere. And Ingram makes a lot of sense as a great third option behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. He would provide more consistent and productive scoring than Harris and also provide the team's need for more out of the wing position in Philadelphia in general.
Ultimately, Philadelphia has money to spend, and the team needs some help at the position Ingram plays.
Cleveland Cavaliers
There's a lot unknown in Cleveland until the future of Donovan Mitchell is settled. But if he signs the four-year max and comes back, it's clear the team believes it has talent to be a championship contender, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
But it's clear the Cavs need more pieces to compete with the NBA champion Boston Celtics, who dispatched Cleveland in the second round.
In May, longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein reported on Ingram's status and mentioned Cleveland as a potential trade suitor.
"Ingram is entering the final year of his contract next season at $36 million and is eligible for a four-year contract extension this summer worth up to $208 million. The Pelicans, remember, already appear to have a strong potential successor on the roster to Ingram thanks to the presence of Trey Murphy III.
"Fit concerns about the games of Ingram, CJ McCollum and star forward Zion Williamson persist in New Orleans despite the Pelicans' 49-33 record this season. A handful of Eastern Conference teams (Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta and Orlando) have already been mentioned as potential trade suitors for Ingram."
Boston rolls deep, as do the 50-win New York Knicks, who look like the East's No. 2 team after trading for Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby. The Cavs need more scoring depth and help on the wing, and Ingram looks like a good addition on paper.
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