Spurs, T-Wolves Reportedly Generating 'Most Buzz' as Kevin Durant Trade Landing Spots
The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are creating the "most buzz" in the sweepstakes for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, according to The Ringer's Zach Lowe.
Lowe said on the newest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast those appear to be the teams at the front of the line for now, though he added that "the biggest mystery in the league right now is how aggressive the Spurs are actually gonna get."
Having acquired De'Aaron Fox ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline, San Antonio is bound to make another big splash at some point. The Fox deal didn't deplete the Spurs' trade capital as they have draft picks, pick swaps and younger players in Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan that will be attractive to other teams.
The question for that franchise is whether it's close enough to contending for the Finals to justify such a short-term play.
Durant will be 37 when the 2025-26 season tips off. The 15-time All-Star continues to play at a high level for his age, but he's clearly past his peak. He also missed 20 games, with minor injuries being a recurring theme over the last few years.
Depending on what it takes to ultimately get KD, waiting for the next star to land on the trade block might be the better play for the Spurs.
The Timberwolves, on the other hand, are coming off back-to-back Western Conference finals appearances. More crucially, they will have a hard time putting together a compelling offer for a marquee talent because they've already cashed in so many of their assets.
The Suns are reportedly holding out for a big haul in a Durant trade, but nobody will be surprised if they have to settle for 50 cents on the dollar for an aging vet on an expiring deal.
And even then, Lowe said a hypothetical Timberwolves trade "just breaks my brain." To make the finances work, Minnesota would have to include center Rudy Gobert or power forward Julius Randle in a sign-and-trade, and neither of those players may be enticing for Phoenix.
The Wolves might as well try when they don't have many better avenues to upgrade the supporting cast around franchise cornerstone Anthony Edwards.
