Fresh Update on Kevin Durant Trade as Suns Shift Stance Amid Timberwolves Warning

Shams Charania made it clear that Kevin Durant has three preferred destinations amid his escalating trade rumors – Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. All three organizations are in constant conversation with the Suns, hoping to acquire the two-time champion. But there is a looming possibility that none of these franchises land Durant despite his clear desire of long-term commitment, as three wildcard teams could shock everyone with a last-minute move!

According to veteran reporter John Gambadoro, “if the Heat, Rockets, and Spurs do not up their current offers, Suns will not trade Durant to either of those destinations.” That’s a massive change in their stance because Miami and Houston were initially their primary focus amid these trade talks. As much as the Phoenix team wants to respect KD’s preferences, they also hope to get some valuable assets in return that take them a step closer to their championship dream. And John’s update suggests that the current offers might not satisfy the Suns’ expectations.

So, where could Durant land if not on these three teams? Reports suggest that wildcards like Clippers, Raptors, and Timberwolves appear willing to roll the dice for a rental on Durant. Per Shams, 7-8 teams have approached the Suns to inquire about Durant so far. Of course, Timberwolves are one of them, who have had their eyes on the two-time champ since the February mid-season trade window. They have been in constant pursuit of KD despite his reported lack of interest in moving to Minnesota.

Clippers also have Durant on their radar, as Gambadoro said last week, “I think the Clippers might have some interest as well.” Of course, they, too, have been looking for a superstar since the departure of Paul George to potentially form a new Big Three with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Durant could be exactly what they need. Meanwhile, Raptors have been in search of a big-name player since Kawhi Leonard led them to a championship six years ago.

This won’t be surprising if either of these three teams makes Phoenix an offer they cannot refuse. But as Timberwolves emerge as potential candidates once again, does acquiring Durant really fix their issues?

WARNING: Kevin Durant might not be the solution to Timberwolves’ problems

Sure, adding a superstar like KD would make any team better, at least on paper. If the Timberwolves manage to pull it off, they will have the lethal duo of Durant and Anthony Edwards leading the charge, along with a deep roster. Sounds like instant title contenders, right? But adding KD might not be a fix to their problems. Following their back-to-back West Finals exit, media veteran Bill Simmons bluntly highlighted what the team truly needs, “I think (Edwards) needed a (expletive) point guard.”

As valuable as Mike Conley has been for the Wolves, Father Time is starting to catch up. The 37-year-old just had the worst statistical season of his career, averaging 8.2 points. Those numbers went down significantly during the playoffs. It’s clear that he can no longer carry the load for 30+ minutes every night. Simmons further emphasized on the point by highlighting Conley’s disappointing performance in the OKC series, “He looked like he was 50 years old.” Going against elite defenders like Lu Dort and Alex Caruso exposed Conley’s glaring weaknesses.

So, Wolves need a true point guard more than they need Durant. They need someone who can make plays for Ant-Man and Julius Randle, taking the pressure off them to run the offense all the time. Moreover, acquiring Durant would put the Wolves in a major financial pickle. Right now, they are a second apron team, and are heavily restricted on the moves they can make. Durant’s $54.7 million salary for next season only makes the situation worse. As much as the world wants to see KD and Ant-Man play together, it might not be what the Wolves need to accomplish their championship dream. It might be time to pull back and focus on other options. Do you agree?