As the Phoenix Suns seem poised to trade Kevin Durant this offseason, plenty of teams are openly pursuing the superstar, although it wouldn’t be a shock if an unnamed team ended up landing him to cement their title hopes.
Kevin Durant is all but guaranteed to be traded this offseason, with the Phoenix Suns openly shopping the superstar.
Durant has listed the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Houston Rockets as his preferred destinations, although his tenure in Phoenix was not decorated enough for him to demand specific landing spots. Instead, the Suns are expected to simply trade him to the highest bidder.
Among those suitors are the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors, although a surprise team with a high-profile owner could get involved.
Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesWindhorst links LA Clippers to Durant
Steve Ballmer, since buying the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014, has long tried to field a competitive roster, and he has spared no expense. The Clippers finished last season as the fifth seed in the Western Conference, and Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac look the part of a championship core.
Durant only has one season left on his contract and could refuse an extension if the Clippers add him, although the league has seen teams go all-in on one year of a star, and they have seen it result in a title.
“This is somewhat reminiscent of what happened in 2018 when Kawhi Leonard was a free agent,” explained Brian Windhorst. “He had a list of teams he preferred to go to. He had one year left on his contract, and the Toronto Raptors were willing to roll the dice as a possible rental.”
The Raptors have made it clear that they are interested in adding a “big fish” this summer, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and Durant are the two highest profile targets they could land, although Windhorst suggested that Durant could reunite with a two-time teammate: James Harden.
“The Raptors are one of the teams lurking out there who may be willing to do this without knowing that they can keep Durant on an extension and basically potentially be a rental,” he continued. “And I think there are a couple of others, including the Los Angeles Clippers.”
Of course, after the Brooklyn Nets superteam of Harden, Durant, and Kyrie Irving collapsed, Durant admitted that he was “pissed” and allowed Harden to be the last pick in the 2022 NBA All-Star draft, although they have seemingly buried the hatchet.
The framework exists for the Clippers to build a title core without giving up a true centerpiece, although matching Durant’s massive salary will be tough.
Brian Windhorst says the Clippers are a potential Kevin Durant suitor:
“You don’t see Toronto on Durant’s list, but the Raptors are one of the teams lurking out there… And I think there’s a couple others, including the Los Angeles Clippers… This is still wide open. Maybe… pic.twitter.com/0bC8VG3Fwh
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) June 15, 2025
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Trade proposal lands KD in LA
While the Clippers have the means to match Durant’s salary, they are still hampered by the Paul George trade and only have limited draft capital. On top of that, it is impossible for them to keep all of their core players while matching Durant’s salary.
While the Durant trade situation can be compared to the Leonard one in 2018, the San Antonio Spurs owed Kawhi only $23.1 million, or 21.2% of the salary cap. Next season, Durant is owed 35.4% of the salary cap, to the tune of $54.7 million.
As a result, the Clippers have to pick between Powell and Zubac in the deal, and with a core of Leonard, Harden, and Durant, it’s not a hard choice.
Full Mock Trade Details:
Clippers receive: Kevin DurantSuns receive: Norman Powell, Drew Eubanks, Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2025 pick no. 30, 2030 first-round pick
The Clippers can add a 2031 pick swap to sweeten the deal. While this package looks paltry, especially compared to the four picks traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Desmond Bane, all four players will have their contracts expire before or at the same time that Bradley Beal is off the books, allowing the Suns to retool their roster in free agency around Devin Booker in 2027.
By then, Booker will be 30, still in his prime, and the Suns will have assets to compete in the West.
The Clippers, meanwhile, get one season to either win or entice Durant to stay for another two seasons, ending his career across town from his longtime rival, LeBron James.