T-Wolves Reportedly Not Out of Kevin Durant Trade Sweepstakes Despite NBA Rumors
The Minnesota Timberwolves remain "very much engaged and active" in talks with the Phoenix Suns regarding a potential trade for Kevin Durant, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
"From my understanding, Minnesota is still studying it. They're not out of it. They're trying to figure out, is there a pathway where we can make this gamble," Charania said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show.
Charania reported on Saturday that NBA teams "have been made aware" that Durant would prefer a trade to the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs or Houston Rockets. He described those three teams as ones "that Durant would commit to long-term."
The Athletic's Sam Amick and Jon Krawczynski reported on Monday that the Rockets have made a "firm offer" that "seriously underwhelmed" the Suns, and that the Spurs have so far "been conservative in their pursuit of Durant."
ESPN's Michael C. Wright recently wrote that the Spurs "aren't likely" to give up the No. 2 trade of the 2025 NBA draft as part of a package for Durant because the franchise is expected to prioritize selecting former Rutgers star Dylan Harper.
With the Suns likely looking for a center after trading DeAndre Ayton and Jusuf Nurkic, however, NBA insider Jake Fischer has written that the Heat's willingness to send out Kel'el Ware "could be the swing factor" in finalizing a potential Durant trade.
But Amick and Krawczynski noted the Timberwolves could potentially put together a trade offer involving Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo to help the Suns retool rather than rebuild after last season's disappointing playoff miss.
A trade to Minnesota would also reunite Durant with Anthony Edwards, with whom the 15-time All-Star developed a friendship while playing for Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Charania previously said on ESPN's SportsCenter that Durant "has no desire to be in Minnesota with the Timberwolves," but Amick and Krawczynski reported the Suns have told Durant's representatives they need to find the best return possible in any potential trade.
The Suns remain "hopeful that Durant might warm to the Timberwolves possibility," according to Amick and Krawczynski. Whether the Spurs or Rockets up their offers to meet Phoenix's expectations could ultimately play a role in how much the Suns push Durant on accepting a potential trade to Minnesota.
