Raptors Possible Trade Framework for Kevin Durant Revealed
Raptors Possible Trade Framework for Kevin Durant Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
15-time All-Star Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant appears to be all set to jet out of town.
It's a move that will please both sides, as the Suns reportedly got pretty close to reuniting the 6-foot-11 big man with the Golden State Warriors at this year's trade deadline, before discovering that Durant himself was against a reunion with fellow future Hall of Famers Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, along with head coach Steve Kerr.
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Durant infamously ditched the Oklahoma City Thunder to ink a three-year, maximum-salaried free agent deal with Golden State in 2016, and instantly went on to appear in three consecutive NBA Finals, winning twice in 2017 and '18.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant gestures to the referee for a foul call against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
He departed as a free agent in 2019, joining the Brooklyn Nets. Durant forced a trade out of town midway through the 2022-23 season. Now, he appears to have grown tired of his NBA environment for the fourth straight time.
Across 62 healthy contests for the 36-46 Suns, the 11-time All-NBA honoree averaged a still-great 26.6 points while slashing .527/.430/.839, 6.0 boards, 4.2 dimes, 1.2 blocks and 0.8 steals a night.
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The team that beat Durant's Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals is apparently willing to sacrifice plenty in a potential deal. Grant Afseth of RG.org writes that the Toronto Raptors — who are reportedly not among his preferred landing spots — have several assets they would be open to trading.
"Kevin Durant is expected to be traded before the 2025 NBA Draft, and league sources tell RG the Toronto Raptors are among the teams seriously evaluating a deal, despite not being on Durant's preferred destination list," Afseth writes.
The 2025 NBA Draft tips off on June 25. The second round will be selected the next day.
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"It's a familiar dynamic for Toronto, which took a similar approach in 2018 by acquiring Kawhi Leonard and capitalizing on a one-year window to win an NBA championship," Afseth notes.
Durant will be on a one-year, $54.7 million expiring deal for 2025-26.
'League sources say the Raptors have explored a range of trade concepts that could involve a framework including any combination of RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl and the No. 9 overall pick," Afseth adds. "While nothing appears imminent, there is internal openness to parting with one of Barrett or Quickley in a larger package, and Poeltl could be included depending on the structure.'
Related: Spurs Think 'Price is Too High' for Kevin Durant Trade: Report
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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