Kevin Durant Trade Rumors: 5 NBA Teams in Hot Pursuit Ahead of 2025 Draft

By Edcel Panganiban June 13, 2025 11:55

As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, the basketball world is abuzz with speculation surrounding Kevin Durant’s future. The Phoenix Suns star, a 15-time All-Star and one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, is reportedly on the trading block, with multiple teams vying for his services. Durant’s impending trade has become the offseason’s most talked-about storyline, with insiders indicating an “increasingly strong belief” that a deal could be finalized before the draft on June 25.

Durant, 36, currently holds the eighth spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 30,571 points. His resume boasts four scoring titles, two NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, and a league MVP award. Despite his age, Durant remains highly productive, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game during the 2024-25 season with Phoenix. However, his $54.7 million expiring contract for the upcoming season makes his trade a complex financial puzzle for any interested team.

According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, five teams have emerged as frontrunners in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes: the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks. These teams have engaged in discussions with the Suns and Durant’s business partner, Rich Kleiman, who has been actively involved in exploring trade scenarios.

Among these, the San Antonio Spurs have been widely reported as the favorite landing spot. Durant has reportedly expressed a preference for joining the Spurs, who hold the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and boast young stars like Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Rookies of the Year respectively. Pairing Durant with this youthful core could accelerate San Antonio’s rebuild and position them as a future contender. However, skepticism is growing about whether the Spurs will ultimately pull the trigger, as they also consider drafting Dylan Harper and remain cautious about aligning Durant’s veteran timeline with their youth movement.

The Miami Heat are a confirmed suitor with a strong interest in acquiring Durant. Miami’s competitive culture and recent success make them an attractive destination for a veteran star looking to chase another title. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves have also expressed interest, each offering different combinations of young talent and draft assets that could entice Phoenix.

The New York Knicks’ involvement is more ambiguous. While some reports suggest Durant is interested in joining New York, multiple local sources indicate the Knicks are not actively pursuing him, potentially ruling them out as serious contenders in the trade talks. Nonetheless, the Knicks remain in the conversation, reflecting the fluid nature of these negotiations.

Despite the buzz, some insiders caution that a trade is not imminent. Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro noted that much of the trade speculation is premature, with no concrete deal close to completion yet. Still, the consensus is that a trade before the draft makes strategic sense for the Suns, allowing them to acquire a higher first-round pick than their current No. 29 and begin a youth movement centered around Devin Booker.

Durant’s business partner’s involvement signals that Kevin will have some influence over his destination, which could shape the final outcome. Whether a team is willing to offer a long-term extension or simply “swing for the fences” on a one-year rental remains a key question.

In summary, the Kevin Durant trade saga is heating up with five primary teams the Rockets, Spurs, Heat, Timberwolves, and Knicks leading the chase. While the Spurs appear to be the favorite, doubts linger, and the situation remains fluid with less than two weeks until the draft. As the Suns and Durant’s camp continue to sift through trade scenarios, the NBA’s offseason landscape could be dramatically reshaped by where one of the game’s greatest scorers lands next.