The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to revisit trade discussions for Kevin Durant in the offseason.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Get Up that Minnesota had attempted a blockbuster trade for Durant at the deadline. He noted that Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards and Durant share a strong bond, which began during their time with Team USA.
“The Timberwolves tried to pull off a crazy trade at the deadline for KD,” Windhorst said, via RealGM. “Look for them to revisit those talks this summer.”
The Phoenix Suns are at risk of making significant roster changes if they fail to secure a deep playoff run. Shams Charania of The Athletic previously reported that Durant and the organization are expected to work together on a trade if Phoenix struggles to compete at a championship level.
“The stakes are high unless there is a significant run here into the playoffs for the Phoenix Suns,” Charania said on NBA Countdown. “League sources believe that there will be real changes in Phoenix coming to the Suns. From a roster standpoint, that likely starts with Kevin Durant.”
Durant was reportedly caught off guard when his name surfaced in trade talks at the deadline. However, Charania noted that a potential offseason move would be a more collaborative effort between the 36-year-old forward and the Suns.
Durant remains one of the NBA’s elite scorers, averaging 26.9 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 36.8 minutes per game this season. His contract status could play a crucial role in any trade negotiations, as he becomes extension-eligible this summer.
Phoenix has been unable to find consistency throughout the season and currently sits at 29-33, 11th in the Western Conference. The Suns are 2.5 games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the final Play-In Tournament spot. They also trail the sixth-seeded Golden State Warriors by 5.5 games, making a guaranteed playoff berth an uphill battle.
Despite boasting a star trio of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, the Suns have underperformed in a competitive Western Conference. Injuries, lack of depth, and defensive struggles have contributed to their disappointing record, fueling speculation about potential offseason moves.
Charania stated that if Durant becomes available, multiple teams will be in the mix. “I would expect four to six contending teams with some serious involvement in Durant,” he said. “He’s still playing at a really high level.”
The final stretch of the season will determine the direction of the Suns’ roster. If they fail to turn things around, a potential Durant trade could become one of the biggest storylines of the summer.
