In a headline-grabbing twist that has NBA fans buzzing, the Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly making a bold push to land none other than Kevin Durant in what could be the most blockbuster trade of the offseason. But here’s the kicker—Minnesota is drawing a hard line on who they’re willing to part with, and it’s already raising eyebrows around the league.
While the Wolves are desperately eyeing Durant as their potential championship catalyst, the franchise has made it crystal clear that they won’t be sending just anyone to Brooklyn to seal the deal. According to a bombshell report by Evan Sidery of Forbes, Minnesota has identified two rising stars who are absolutely off-limits in any negotiations: Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid.
“No way we let those two go,” a source reportedly close to the Timberwolves’ front office said. “They’re part of the core we’re building around.”
That’s right. While the team has been open to the idea of swapping out established veterans, they’re standing firm when it comes to the youth movement that’s taken Minnesota from the shadows to the brink of greatness. McDaniels, in particular, has shown steady improvement over the past five seasons and is now viewed as a future All-Star in his own right. Reid, meanwhile, proved to be a playoff revelation, delivering clutch minutes and major energy off the bench.
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room—what about Rudy Gobert?
The towering four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year might seem like an automatic “keep,” but he could very well be the odd man out. Despite averaging a double-double through the 2024–25 season, Gobert’s impact dwindled significantly during the Western Conference Finals. As the Timberwolves weigh their options, many fans believe he’s the logical asset to ship out to make the numbers work in a Durant deal.
“If we’re being real,” said one Timberwolves fan in a viral post, “Gobert’s defense ain’t what it used to be. We need scorers, not just shot blockers.”
The situation gets even messier when considering that Minnesota already traded long-time centerpiece Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle, hoping to revamp their frontcourt. But now, reports suggest Randle himself could be moved again—this time as part of the package to bring Durant to the Twin Cities.
Randle’s inclusion would make sense financially, but at what cost? The Wolves would be giving up two major frontcourt talents in just over a year, and the chemistry they’re trying to build could be severely disrupted.
Still, the allure of pairing Kevin Durant with the explosive Anthony Edwards is too powerful to ignore. The dynamic duo could instantly transform Minnesota into a legitimate NBA Finals contender, making the West even more competitive. Edwards, already a fan favorite and media magnet, has shown he’s more than capable of leading a team—now imagine what he could do with KD alongside him.
“This could be special,” a former NBA coach told reporters. “Edwards and Durant could be the new Kobe and Shaq combo if they figure it out.”
But the Timberwolves are treading carefully. They know that while Durant brings superstar pedigree, gutting the rest of the roster would be counterproductive. The goal is to build—not just for one season—but for sustained success.
So where does that leave the Timberwolves?
In a high-stakes balancing act between going all-in and preserving the future. The Durant sweepstakes are in full swing, and Minnesota just made things infinitely more interesting by refusing to fold on their young stars. With the NBA offseason heating up, this is one saga you won’t want to miss.
Stay tuned—because this Timberwolves-Durant trade rumor just flipped the NBA upside down.
