The Memphis Grizzlies will not be pursuing a trade for Kevin Durant, according to reporting from The Commercial Appeal‘s Damichael Cole.
Per Cole’s tweet on June 17, team sources confirmed Memphis “contemplated an offer at the trade deadline” but have since decided not to revisit any trade discussions involving the Suns forward.
Durant, 36, has reportedly listed San Antonio, Miami, and Houston as preferred destinations amid rising speculation that Phoenix will trade him before the June 25 draft. However, the Grizzlies have removed themselves from contention altogether.
The organization’s decision arrives just days after trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and five future draft assets.
With Ja Morant returning healthy for 2025–26 and a playoff-caliber core still in place, Memphis appears focused on long-term flexibility rather than short-term star acquisition.
Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season while shooting over 52 percent from the field. Despite his production, the Suns missed the playoffs, finishing 11th in the Western Conference with a 36–46 record.
Phoenix has since explored trade options centered around impactful players instead of rebuilding packages. However, multiple offers — including from the Timberwolves, Rockets, and Heat — have reportedly fallen short of expectations.
Memphis, meanwhile, closed out the regular season at 48–34 before securing a playoff berth via the play-in tournament. The team was swept in the first round by the top-seeded Thunder.
Although the Grizzlies briefly evaluated Durant as a potential postseason difference-maker, sources indicate that those talks never progressed and are no longer under consideration.
Durant is entering the final year of his contract, which is valued at $54.7 million.
