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After nearly trading superstar Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, the Phoenix Suns are nearing a new destination for the 15-time All-Star with the draft approaching.
The Houston Rockets have been heavily linked to the Suns in Durant trade talks for several reasons.
Rockets coach Ime Udoka has a relationship with Durant dating back to their days with the Brooklyn Nets. Udoka was also Boston’s coach while the Celtics discussed potentially trading Jaylen Brown in a package for Durant.
Udoka’s fondness for Durant is profound. The question is, where does Rockets executive Rafael Stone fall on that spectrum?
Houston has Phoenix’s No. 10 overall pick in this draft class and control of the Suns’ top selection in 2027 and 2029. Gathering some of those draft assets back in return for Durant would greatly appeal to Phoenix, league sources told HoopsHype.
The Rockets also have several young, talented players that could help the Suns compete with Devin Booker in his prime.
The Rockets, however, have been unwilling to part with 22-year-old First Team All-Defensive selection Amen Thompson in trade talks, league sources told HoopsHype.
It’s believed that Houston would also not want to part with 22-year-old All-Star Alperen Sengun in talks for Durant.
In a potential trade with the Suns for Durant, Houston could include guard Jalen Green and his $33.33 million salary for the 2025-26 season. With guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal already on the roster, having failed to trade Beal as the Suns attempted to before the trade deadline, Phoenix has done background on Green to gauge his value around the league in case Green is acquired, and it’s worthwhile to flip him again via trade, league sources told HoopsHype.
Houston also has two forwards, former No. 3 pick Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, who are notable trade candidates that are rookie-scale extension-eligible this offseason. If they don’t agree to a new deal, they’ll enter the final season of their contracts before being eligible for restricted free agency and pay raises in the summer of 2026.
Speaking of former high draft picks, Former third overall selection Reed Sheppard was limited to only 12.6 minutes in 52 games during the regular season. With Houston looking to retain Fred VanVleet, Sheppard won’t have an immediate pathway for significant playing time.
Similarly to Sheppard, Rockets swingman Cam Whitmore is another talented young player whose playing time is limited due to the excessive depth on the roster and could be a trade candidate.
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There’s also mutual interest between the San Antonio Spurs and Durant in a partnership.
After drafting franchise pillar Victor Wembanyama, the plan was always to be competitive by his third season. That time has arrived. The Spurs began that process earnestly by trading for De’Aaron Fox, who’s expected to agree to a long-term extension with the Spurs this summer.
San Antonio also drafted Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, whom the Spurs want to keep out of Durant talks. In addition, the Spurs have the No. 2 pick where guard Dylan Harper – the consensus second-best player in the draft among NBA executives – will be available for the taking.
San Antonio’s No. 14 pick via Atlanta is seen as obtainable on the trade market by rival NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype.
In general, rival executives believe Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan could be obtained on the trade market.
Would the Spurs part with 24-year-old swingman Devin Vassell in Durant discussions?
Armed with draft pick flexibility in the coming years, San Antonio has the future assets on paper to get a deal done for Durant if they desire.
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Elsewhere, the Minnesota Timberwolves – who were said to be the strongest pursuer of Durant ahead of the trade deadline – remain in the mix to acquire the four-time scoring champion to pair him with fellow Team USA Olympian Anthony Edwards, who’s looked up to him.
Timberwolves rising 24-year-old forward Jaden McDaniels was off limits at the trade deadline, as previously reported in March on HoopsHype, and that remains the case now.
Phoenix is looking for an upgrade at center, which Minnesota can offer in Rudy Gobert. Theoretically, parting with Gobert would open up more playing time at center for former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid, who views himself as a starter and is a priority for the Timberwolves to retain this summer, as previously reported on June 4th on HoopsHype.
Julius Randle, meanwhile, has a $30.94 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Randle was previously discussed in a potential trade package for Durant before the deadline along with guard Donte DiVincenzo, sources told HoopsHype and as reported in March.
Another item worth monitoring is whether or not former No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham would be a trade asset Minnesota would be willing to part with after playing 10.5 minutes in 49 regular-season games and 5.3 minutes in three playoff games against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Regarding the Miami Heat’s interest in Kevin Durant, the franchise was interested in acquiring him before the deadline and remains interested in reuniting him with fellow Olympians Bam Adebayo and coach Erik Spoelstra.
The Suns have done background work on Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, league sources told HoopsHype. Wiggins is owed $28.22 million this upcoming season and would likely be a part of any Heat trade package for Durant.
A key factor in Miami’s chances of landing Durant could hinge on whether the franchise is willing to part with talented 21-year-old big man Kel’el Ware, who’s of interest to Phoenix.
The Los Angeles Clippers have also lurked with interest in Durant.
The Suns have done background work on Clippers guard Norman Powell and gauged his value across the league in case Phoenix and Los Angeles ever agreed on a Durant trade, league sources told HoopsHype.
Phoenix would assuredly try to pry Clippers 28-year-old starting center Ivica Zubac, who averaged 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds, in any talks for Durant, league sources told HoopsHype. The Clippers, however, highly value Zubac and would be reluctant to part with him.
Powell is one of several potential trade candidates if the Clippers ultimately try to win the Durant sweepstakes. Others include Bogdan Bogdanovic and Derrick Jones Jr. The Clippers can theoretically dangle one unconditional first-round pick (2031) and two swaps (2030 and 2032).
You can find a deep dive on the offseason for the Clippers, including James Harden’s upcoming free agency, by checking out this June 4th story on HoopsHype.
Lastly, Toronto has been quietly trying to make a swing for a star player of Durant’s caliber, and the Raptors are expected to gauge the trade market on swingman RJ Barrett this summer, league sources told HoopsHype.
