Shams: Rockets, Heat, Timberwolves leading Kevin Durant trade pursuit
Shams: Rockets, Heat, Timberwolves leading Kevin Durant trade pursuit The Suns' discussions regarding a Kevin Durant trade are largely focused on the Rockets, Heat, and Timberwolves, ESPN's Shams Charania said Friday.
The Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly the teams most engaged with the Phoenix Suns regarding a trade for 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant.
Shams Charania, ESPN's top NBA insider, shared the latest news in Friday's appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. He said a deal could happen within the next few days, which meshes with recent reports out of Arizona.
'All three of these teams think they're gonna contend for a championship with Kevin Durant,' Charania said in Friday's update. 'In the last 24 hours, the focus has been on the Rockets, the Heat, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.'
The Timberwolves have advanced to the Western Conference finals in consecutive seasons, while the Rockets (52-30) had the West's second-best record in the 2024-25 regular season. So, there's certainly a case to be made that adding an elite scorer and future Hall of Famer could push either team over the top in 2025-26.
Miami would seem to be further away, but the weaker state of the Eastern Conference could perhaps bolster its chances.
A 6-foot-11 forward, Durant averaged 26.6 points (52.7% FG, 43.0% on 3-pointers), 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last season. The former Most Valuable Player (MVP) and two-time NBA Finals MVP is now 36 years old, and his current contract runs through next season.
Because Durant is effectively on a one-year deal ($54.7 million), a team acquiring him would likely want to secure his commitment to a contract extension, in order to trade significant value for him. That's where Durant's reported preference of a Texas team could potentially help the Rockets get a deal done, relative to teams in other states that might not be as confident in securing a longer-term partnership.
Durant played his college basketball at the University of Texas in Austin.
From Houston's perspective, a trade likely needs to begin with either Jalen Green ($33.3 million in 2025-26) or Dillon Brooks, for matching salary purposes. If it is Brooks ($22.1 million), the Rockets would also need to send a second player making more than $10 million to Phoenix, such as Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard. Draft equity and expiring contracts, such as Jock Landale and Aaron Holiday (combined $12.9 million), would likely be part of the equation, as well.
Among Rockets making $10 million or more in salary, all indications are that Alperen Sengun ($33.9 million) and Fred VanVleet ($44.9-million team option) are off limits in Durant talks.
More: With Rockets among top suitors, Suns reportedly closing in on Kevin Durant trade
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