A Trade for Kevin Durant Could Be Interesting for Clippers if He Hits the Trade Block
A Trade for Kevin Durant Could Be Interesting for Clippers if He Hits the Trade Block originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Los Angeles Clippers have already been linked to a couple of big names in trade rumors this offseason.
Advertisement
Lonzo Ball predicted they would trade for his brother, LaMelo Ball.
Then there was a report the Clippers would be interested in Celtics guard Jrue Holiday.
Now there's a bigger name who could be hitting the trade block soon that might be a bit more interesting for the Clippers.
Los Angeles Clippers logoKirby Lee-Imagn Images
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, there have been strong indications during the Phoenix Suns' coaching search that they're likely to move on from Kevin Durant this offseason.
That could present an opportunity for the Clippers.
The Clippers' window to contend with their current core is a small one.
James Harden will be 36 at the start of next season and his contract situation is unsettled..
Advertisement
Kawhi Leonard will be 34 and has two years left on his deal.
If their goal is to contend during the 2025-26 season, their best option may just be to get even older.
Durant will be 37 at the start of the year and has a concerning injury history, but he could actually be a great fit in LA and should be the easiest to trade for of any stars available this offseason.
The Clippers need help on offense after finishing 20th in the NBA in scoring this past season.
Durant is one of the best scorers the league has eve seen and, sespite his age, he is still playing at a high level.
This past season, he scored 26.6 points per game while shooting 52.7% from the field and 43% from three.
Advertisement
He also chipped in 5.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
His play on the defensive side of the ball would also likely improve if he joined a team that can actually defend.
He could slide right into the 4 spot and give the Clippers some size alongside Ivica Zubac.
He also shouldn't cost the Clippers a ton, which is important. They have a couple of first rounder and some expiring deals they can trade this offseason, but don't have a ton of firepower to make a move.
What they have should be enough to add Durant because of his age and the Suns' own lack of draft picks in the coming years.
If the Clippers want to add some more star power this offseason, Durant may be the best they can afford and he'd be a good fit to give the Clippers a couple of chances at a title if they can get him to agree to an extension.
Advertisement
A trade for Durant would be worth taking a good look at for the Clippers if the Suns are open to a trade offer that gives them a chance to reset.
Related: $25.2 Million Center Name-Dropped as Possible Clippers Free Agent Target
Related: Mock Draft Predicts Clippers Will Select All-American Guard in Round One
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
11 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Pacers take 1-0 lead into game 2 against the Thunder
Indiana Pacers (50-32, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14, first in the Western Conference) Oklahoma City; Sunday, 8 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -11; over/under is 227.5 NBA FINALS: Pacers lead series 1-0 BOTTOM LINE: The Indiana Pacers visit the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals with a 1-0 lead in the series. The Pacers won the last matchup 111-110 on Friday, led by 19 points from Pascal Siakam. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 38.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
On a broken toe, Francisco Lindor delivers win for Mets: 'We're watching greatness'
When Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Francisco Lindor could be available in Friday's series opener against the Rockies after keeping him out of the starting lineup for the second straight game, you just knew what eventually happened was a possibility. In the ninth inning with the score tied 2-2 and runners in scoring position with two outs, the Mets skipper called upon his shortstop -- hobbled by a fractured pinky toe -- to try and push across the go-ahead run. Advertisement Mendoza needed something; the Mets outside of Pete Alonso -- whose two-run double in the seventh put them ahead temporarily -- have struggled mightily this season with runners in scoring position. Entering Friday, Lindor was hitting only .189 with RISP, but the Mets needed their de facto captain and he came through, broken toe and all. Lindor pulled a sweeper into right field to score two runs to lift the Mets to a 4-2 win. "Special player, I've been saying it. Special talent. We're watching greatness," Mendoza said of Lindor after the game. "Continues to do what All-Stars do. Continues to show up in big situations on a day when he was in the dugout with a bat in his hand since the fifth inning, finally gets his chance and comes through for us." Advertisement Mendoza said that right before the game, when Lindor came away from hitting in the batting cages feeling ok, he knew he could use him. Ideally, Mendoza wanted to stay away from Lindor, especially knowing that it would have been a two-player move to replace him in the field for the bottom of the ninth, but as the game went on the second-year manager told Lindor in the eighth inning that if Tyrone Taylor's turn at-bat came up in the ninth, he was going to him. "For me and for a lot of people, we are spoiled," Alonso said of Lindor. "With him, he's a guy who is ready to strap on regardless... I see him do stuff like this all the time. I know it's hard to do. Battling through physical stuff, there's limitations. I have nothing but the utmost respect. He's a true pro and he embodies that." "It illustrates what type of person Francisco Lindor is," Kodai Senga, who allowed just one run over six innings on Friday, said through an interpreter. "A leader. He's just a superstar." So, how did Lindor prepare for his pinch-hit opportunity? The shortstop said he was ready because he discussed the possibility with Mendoza before the game and the team's trainers got him ready. Advertisement "Mendy had a great game plan from the beginning of the day, he told me what was in his mind. It was just a matter of the trainers," Lindor said. "They did a fantastic job, they prepped me the right way. They did everything in their power to get me on the field. Around the fourth or fifth inning, Mendy asked me if I was available to hit and I said yeah." This isn't the first time Lindor, who usually plays just about every game, has come up with heroics while not at 100 percent as a Met. Last season saw him overcome the flu to deliver a game-winning hit, and when last year's back issues first popped up, he delivered down the stretch, including help the team clutch a playoff berth. Lindor said he can feel he's not 100 percent at the plate, but knows he's not the only big league player playing through injury. So when he's good enough to play and help the team, he'll be ready. "The Lord has blessed me to play this game and stay on the field. When I'm not on the field, the trainers do a fantastic job. You see the results, but they are the one putting in the time to get me right and on the field. This training staff is one of the best, if not the best. Once it comes to those moments, I'm just there to make something happen. Just get a good pitch, and what happens happens. Don't let the moment get too big." Lindor hopes he's in the lineup on Saturday, but knows that he needs to see how he feels tomorrow and speak to Mendoza and the trainers. But even if Mendoza wants to give his shortstop another day off, he knows he can use him again when he needs a big hit.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Manchester United and Tottenham book passage to Europa League final
Manchester United will face Tottenham Hotspur in an all-English Europa League final. Both sides booked their place in the decider on Thursday night, earning comfortable aggregate victories in their semi-final ties. Manchester United held a 3-0 advantage over Athletic Bilbao but fell behind in the return. Mikel Jauregizar's goal gave the Spaniards a glimmer of hope but Athletic were unable to extend their advantage despite chances at Old Trafford. Mason Mount came off the bench to inspire a turnaround for the home side. Advertisement The midfielder made it back-to-back games with a brilliant equaliser, turning sharply inside the box and firing home. Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund added late goals to make the result safe, before Mount's crowning moment. The 26-year-old fired in from near the halfway line with Julen Agirrezabala wayward after a poor clearance. It was a huge night for Mount, who has endured an injury-plagued time at Manchester United. Ruben Amorim's side will face Tottenham Hotspur in a fascinating final with plenty on the line. Leading 3-1 from the first leg, goals from Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro earned a 2-0 win at Bodo/Glimt in the return and aggregate progress. The North Londoners have reached their first final in this competition since 1984. With both sides enduring disappointing domestic campaigns, the Europa League final offers a winner-takes-all shootout to salvage their seasons. Currently 15th and 16th in the Premier League, the winners will win silverware and a place in next season's Champions League. Advertisement Read – 📈 Power Rankings: PSG and Inter climb after famous wins See more – How Enrique and Inzaghi built Europe's best teams Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
