Reports: Kevin Durant Trade in Consideration for Clippers and Raptors

Amidst reports of Kevin Durant demanding a trade to Miami, San Antonio or Houston, two new teams are keeping tabs.

Reports: Kevin Durant Trade in Consideration for Clippers and Raptors

Kevin Durant (Image via FirstSportz)

There is a fair amount of NBA activity going on even as the Pacers battle OKC in the Finals. LeBron James is flirting with retirement, the Orlando Magic have made a win-now trade and front offices monitor more. Kevin Durant has reportedly been made available for trade by the Phoenix Suns, and he is causing some movement. The four-time scoring champion will be looking to join a team ready to go for NBA titles.

According to previous reports, Durant has specified three teams to be at the top of his list. This list has the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and the Houston Rockets. While Houston and San Antonio are in a good spot right now, Miami seems more removed from a championship. All three of these teams are in warm-weather regions, which is a common factor among previous older superstars to be on the move.

The Clippers are another warm-weather team reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation. Steve Ballmer has a big role to play in keeping the team competitive as it fights to gain foothold and a fanbase in LA. As they added Paul George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook fruitlessly in the past, another superstar in the twilight of his career is reportedly in their sights. At least, according to former insider Brian Windhorst.

Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors are another team monitoring Durant’s trade situation from Arizona. With Scottie Barnes developing into a franchise player, they need to pair him with a legitimate co-star. The former Executive of the Year capitalized on a lean market for Kawhi Leonard in the 2018 offseason. It seems that he’s looking to make another move to get his team back in the mix of title contention.

Both teams present interesting alternatives to Kevin Durant and the Suns. Phoenix is likely to want a good young player as well as draft compensation for this deal. The Clippers have neither of these assets, while the Raptors have both classes of assets at the moment. However, both teams are unlikely to be able to get his services without massively gutting their rosters and giving up hopes of championship contention.

What is the most sensible destination for Kevin Durant this summer?

Kevin Durant is one of the best plug-and-play forwards to ever play. He is a 6’11” small forward who can guard multiple positions and is a mismatch against practically any defender on the planet. He is still able to produce at an All-NBA level, as his 2024-25 season output proves. However, the Suns are above the second apron, which limits their roster flexibility as they’d have to pay Durant $54 million next year.

As mentioned before, Houston and the San Antonio Spurs are two destinations that Durant has angled for. Both teams present fascinating trade options for the Suns in their own way. The Spurs have the #2 pick in this year’s draft, while the Rockets have four of the Suns’ future first-rounders. Getting either of these assets, in addition to young role players, would relieve their cap situation and allow them to rebuild.

Kevin Durant is likelier to find success with the Spurs in the long term, given Victor Wembanyama and his GOAT potential. But the Rockets are currently a deeper team with a frontcourt that can hang with the best of teams. In theory, he can win a title with both teams – although the Rockets would need a point guard upgrade. But the Spurs seem to be the best current option, and San Antonio should be on top of his list.

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