Amid all the trade deadline drama involving the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, particularly their deal centered around Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant emerged as the biggest storyline in the NBA.
At one point, it seemed highly likely that the Phoenix Suns would trade Durant back to the Golden State Warriors, where he won championships in 2017 and 2018. As discussions intensified between the Suns and Warriors, a framework was reportedly in place that would have sent Andrew Wiggins to the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler to Phoenix, among other assets, according to league sources who spoke with ClutchPoints.
While negotiating the potential Durant deal, the Suns were also in discussions with multiple teams about moving veteran center Jusuf Nurkic, who was ultimately traded to the Charlotte Hornets.
Upon learning that the trade between Phoenix and Golden State was nearing completion, Durant quickly put an end to negotiations for two key reasons. Besides not wanting to return to the Warriors—despite maintaining a strong relationship with Stephen Curry—he was unwilling to be traded midseason.
“At the end of the day, I just didn’t want to move,” Durant told Malika Andrews of ESPN. “And I wanted to see it through with my team in Phoenix and see what we can do through the rest of the season, so I’m glad I’m still there.”
Regarding his future with the Suns, Durant insisted that he never requested a trade, stating that whether he remains in Phoenix is ultimately a decision for the front office to make in the offseason.
Since the trade deadline, the Suns and Durant have remained in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Many around the league believe that Phoenix will be open to trade discussions for the two-time Finals MVP once the season ends, especially given their current position outside the Western Conference playoff picture.
Despite turning 37 by the start of the 2025-26 season, Durant remains at the peak of his career and is still one of the league’s top scorers. Any team acquiring him would immediately boost its championship odds, making a potential blockbuster trade a move that could shift the league’s power balance.
Phoenix appears ready to move on from Durant, and multiple teams are already keeping a close watch on the situation. However, a reunion with the Warriors seems unlikely, particularly after Golden State acquired and extended Butler. Other teams, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Minnesota Timberwolves, also lack the necessary assets to realistically pursue Durant.
If the Suns do trade Durant, they won’t do so at a discount. Any team seeking to acquire one of the greatest scorers in NBA history must present a strong offer. As of now, five teams are emerging as the frontrunners in a potential blockbuster trade for Durant this offseason.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are a team to watch as the offseason approaches. While their season has been tumultuous, with Gregg Popovich absent and Victor Wembanyama dealing with a blood clot in his shoulder, they are well-positioned for rapid growth.
San Antonio holds its own 2025 first-round pick, projected to be in the top 10, as well as the Atlanta Hawks’ first-round pick. This gives them the ability to add two talented young players in the top 15 of this year’s draft while also leveraging assets like Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell in a potential trade for Durant.
With Wembanyama evolving into an MVP-caliber talent and De’Aaron Fox as his running mate, Durant could be the final piece needed for the Spurs to become a serious threat in the Western Conference.
Though trading Johnson and Vassell would be costly, acquiring Durant could be a franchise-altering move. Of course, such a trade would likely depend on Durant committing to the Spurs long-term in pursuit of another championship.
A core of Durant, Wembanyama, Fox, Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, Chris Paul, and two first-round picks could put the Spurs in contention with the league’s best.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Last season, the Thunder finished with the best record in the Western Conference. This year, they could enter the playoffs as the top overall seed in the NBA.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has elevated this young OKC squad into a legitimate title contender, yet many believe they still need one more key piece. Could Durant be that missing link?
As the greatest player in Thunder history, a return to Oklahoma City to potentially win a championship alongside Gilgeous-Alexander would be a full-circle moment for Durant. After all, he originally left the Thunder to win two titles with the Warriors.
However, Durant’s critics would undoubtedly question whether he was simply taking the easy path again. There’s also the lingering question of whether Thunder fans would welcome him back after his controversial departure in 2016.
Regardless, Oklahoma City remains a team to watch in any major trade talks. With a stockpile of draft picks, they have the assets to pull off a blockbuster move whenever they choose.
Houston Rockets
Among all potential suitors, the Rockets appear to be the most aggressive in positioning themselves for a Durant trade this offseason.
With young talents like Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green as potential centerpieces in a deal, along with other intriguing assets such as Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and 2024 first-round pick Reed Sheppard, Houston has plenty to offer. However, it is unlikely they would part ways with rising star Amen Thompson.
Additionally, the Rockets control several of the Suns’ future first-round picks. If Phoenix opts to rebuild by trading Durant, regaining their own picks could be an appealing option.
Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has exercised patience in targeting star players since trading James Harden in 2021. Adding Durant to their young, talented roster could provide the offensive firepower needed to become a serious contender in the Western Conference.
Miami Heat
Whenever a star becomes available, Pat Riley is usually involved. With the Heat recently trading Butler to the Warriors, they now have more flexibility heading into the offseason.
Terry Rozier will be entering the final year of his contract, and Andrew Wiggins—acquired in the Butler deal—could be a valuable trade asset. The Heat also own first-round picks in every year except 2027.
Would this be enough to land Durant? While Wiggins holds immediate trade value for Phoenix, other pieces like Rozier and young forward Nikola Jovic might not be as enticing as what other teams can offer.
Following the collapse of trade talks between the Suns and Warriors, Miami was among the teams that expressed interest in Durant. Reports even suggested that Durant was “open” to the idea of joining the Heat, even if he had no interest in returning to Golden State.
If Miami truly wants to land Durant, they may need to go all-in by offering a package centered around Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and future draft assets.
Dallas Mavericks
Despite Kyrie Irving suffering a torn ACL, the Mavericks still make a lot of sense as a potential destination for Durant. However, Irving’s injury complicates matters, as he is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2025-26 season.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison has been clear about his desire to win a championship in the near future. With Anthony Davis and Irving already in place, adding Durant would create a formidable trio.
That said, making the trade financially feasible would be difficult. Since Irving is likely to opt into his player option, Dallas has minimal cap flexibility and would likely be operating above the first tax apron.
A Durant trade would almost certainly push them into the second apron, meaning they would need to part with key role players such as Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford. While reuniting Durant and Irving in Dallas is possible, the chances of such a deal happening have diminished following Irving’s injury.
