Kevin Durant's Rep, Suns Reportedly 'Sifting Through' Knicks, More Trade Landing Spots
Kevin Durant's business partner, Rich Kleiman, and the Phoenix Suns are reportedly working together to find a landing spot for the future Hall of Fame forward this offseason.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Kleiman has met with the Suns "multiple times" over the past week for the purpose of "sifting through trade scenarios" involving Durant.
Charania noted that the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves have all shown interest in KD, as have "several wild-card suitors."
Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reported the Heat are only interested in Durant "at the right price."
Durant, 36, spent parts of the past three seasons in Phoenix following a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, but the Suns never reached the heights most expected with him in the fold.
Phoenix got knocked out in the second round of the playoffs in 2023 and the first round in 2024 before failing to reach the playoffs this season with a 36-46 record.
Amid their struggles, the Suns made Durant available, and Charania reported that teams across the NBA have anticipated a KD trade since February when Phoenix engaged in trade talks focused on the 15-time All-Star.
While no trade occurred before the deadline, all signs point toward Durant going elsewhere this offseason, as the Suns look to reset their roster, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.
According to Charania, Kleiman and the Suns are expected to continue meeting, and it is believed trade talks involving Durant will escalate as the 2025 NBA draft on June 25 and 26 draws closer.
Durant is among the greatest offensive players in NBA history, as he ranks eighth on the all-time list with 30,571 career points. He is also a four-time scoring champion, two-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP and one-time NBA MVP.
Although Durant is no longer in his prime, he continues to produce at a high level, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.6 three-pointers made and 1.2 blocks per game this season, while shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 43.0 percent from beyond the arc.
Given his statistical output, it comes as little surprise that teams are reportedly lining up to make a run at him on the trade market.
While Durant is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2025-26, he can sign a two-year extension worth as much as $112 million starting on July 6, per Charania.
If a team is able to reach an extension with Durant in conjunction with a trade, it would likely go a long way toward improving the Suns' potential return.
Given that the Suns are light on draft picks and promising, young players due to the assets they gave up in trades for Durant and Bradley Beal, they will undoubtedly want to get the biggest haul possible for their most valuable trade chip aside from Devin Booker.
