Kevin Durant's list of desired trade destinations could push Minnesota out of the bidding
Kevin Durant's list of desired trade destinations could push Minnesota out of the bidding Reports suggested that Minnesota could have a superior Kevin Durant trade offer (relative to the Rockets), but will they actually make it? It appears they won't, if Durant doesn't want to play there.
The Rockets reportedly have a 'firm offer' to trade for Suns star Kevin Durant, but Phoenix continues to be underwhelmed with Houston's valuation of the All-Star forward. There has yet to be a clear indication of what that offer specifically entails, though Rockets Wire explored the financial possibilities last week.
In fact, reports have indicated that the Suns are relatively uninspired by the options involving all three of Durant's desired destinations — the Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat.
That has led to speculation that a team not on Durant's list could perhaps win the day, and take the risk that they can eventually convince him of a long-term partnership before his current contract expires in the 2026 offseason. Most notably, the team with the most buzz around that scenario seems to be the Minnesota Timberwolves.
But according to The Athletic's Sam Amick, who spoke on Wednesday's podcast episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, the Timberwolves aren't bidding much (if at all) unless they get an indication that the former Most Valuable Player (MVP) and 15-time All-Star is happy to go there.
'Minnesota is not gonna play ball until they get the signal Kevin wants to play there,' Amick said. 'Tim Connelly, in particular, their GM... personality wise, he's a culture lifter. He's a guy that wants people that want to be there. That's something that matters to him. If the messaging continues that Kevin would come in while dragging his feet, then the Wolves are not going to put much on the table.'
That would seemingly leave the Rockets and Heat as the only teams on both lists — that is, teams actively involved in Durant trade discussions with the Suns while also being an acceptable destination to the player. Without being on both lists, there might be other teams that explore potential parameters, but it remains to be seen if any would actually surrender significant assets if they are trading for Durant against his will.
Thus, even if an offer from the Rockets or Heat is viewed by the Suns as underwhelming, it's entirely possible that it might end up being the best one they get.
More: Shams: Rockets, Heat, Timberwolves leading Kevin Durant trade pursuit
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