Amid the Phoenix Suns’ escalating trade rumors, a dark horse team has emerged in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, which could be one of the superstar’s top preferred trade destinations.
The New York Knicks are gaining steam as a potential suitor after their Eastern Conference Finals exit. However, an upstart Western Conference squad could also reportedly jump into the mix and satisfy Phoenix’s diminishing asking price.
Spurs Named as Sleeper Team To Acquire Kevin Durant From Suns
On June 1, NBA insider Marc Stein reported on his Substack that “Phoenix is likely to move on from Durant” after its disappointing 36-46 season. Stein added that the organization will “explore its Durant trade options this offseason — in collaboration with the future Hall of Famer and his business manager, Rich Kleiman.”
The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, meanwhile, noted on June 3 that the Suns are “aggressive in pursuit” of trading the two-time NBA champion and “regaining full control of their draft capital.” The league insider added that they “have gradually lowered their asking price for Durant” since the season’s end, naming the Houston Rockets as a team in contact.
Forbes’ Evan Sidery relayed intel from Suns insider John Gambadoro on X about Durant’s early offseason mindset. Per Sidery’s tweet, Durant and Phoenix could have mutual interest in a deal sending him to the San Antonio Spurs.
“Keep an eye on the Spurs, as they could be one of Kevin Durant’s top preferred trade destinations, per @Gambo987,” Sidery wrote. “San Antonio can put together an appealing offer that satisfies the Suns’ desires of young prospects and draft capital in a Durant deal.”
Keep an eye on the Spurs, as they could be one of Kevin Durant’s top preferred trade destinations, per @Gambo987 (https://t.co/pXHRiiV37d).
San Antonio can put together an appealing offer that satisfies the Suns’ desires of young prospects and draft capital in a Durant deal. pic.twitter.com/tgnoJk3mb5
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 4, 2025
Durant landing with the Spurs would unite him with arguably the league’s brightest young talent, center Victor Wembanyama, and star point guard De’Aaron Fox. Meanwhile, as Sidery mentioned, the franchise has several young pieces (Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan) it could package to match the 15-time All-Star’s salary. It also holds the No. 2 and No. 14 picks in this year’s NBA Draft.
Across 62 outings this past season, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. He is set to enter the final year of his four-year, $194,219,320 contract, earning a hefty $54,708,609 salary next season. His acquisition would make him the highest-paid player on San Antonio’s budding roster, composed of multiple value contracts.
However, the Spurs are reportedly seeking to accelerate their ascension up the West standings. As such, the 36-year-old could be the ideal veteran addition to vault San Antonio back into playoff contention following their 13th-place finish in the conference with a 34-48 record. Despite its storied history, San Antonio last qualified for the postseason in 2019.
