Talks between Durant’s business partner, Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, and the Phoenix Suns have intensified during the past week, according to Charania.
They are “sifting through trade scenarios” after meeting “multiple times over the past week.”
According to insiders, the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks are the key teams who have shown interest in Durant. According to sources, Durant has received approaches from a number of wild-card suitors in the last seven to ten days,” Charania reported.
Jimmy Butler left the Heat at the trade deadline, leaving them without a true star. According to Charania’s April report, they were among the teams Durant shared interest in.
The Heat Are Pressed to Trade Kevin Durant
Stephen A. Smith of ESPN has urged the Heat to get Durant after their disappointing season finale. In the first round of the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Heat.
Smith stated on ESPN’s First Take that “[the Heat] need all the help they can get.” Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo are tough, they can play defense, and they need a top option. All they require is a top choice. Jimmy Butler wasn’t that person.
KD is that. He will give you twenty-seven per night.
The Heat might entice the Suns with a package that included draft capital, Terry Rozier and Duncan Robinson’s expiring salaries, plus young center Kel’el Ware and Andrew Wiggins. The Heat can use two second-round picks and three tradable first-round picks (2030, 2032, and this year’s 20th first-round pick via Golden State Warriors) in any June transaction.
It would be intriguing if Heat president Pat Riley grants the two-time NBA Finals MVP a two-year, $112 million maximum extension, something Butler did not receive, which prompted his trade demand, if they are successful in acquiring Durant.
Durant is on the last year of his current four-year, $190 million contract and is due $54.7 million next season.
Pat Riley Is Willing to Trade for an Elderly Star
Riley brought up the Golden State Warriors’ successful gamble on Butler as an example of a team that pursues an older player.
Riley stated at his season-ending press conference, “I think if you look at the Warriors, with Draymond [Green], Steph [Curry], and Jimmy, you’ve got three 35, 36, 37 guys.” “This is the ideal moment for them.
“I believe that even though an aging great player may not be able to lead a team, they can still perform well in the playoffs.” I noticed something really special about that team, even though Steph’s injury would impact them [the Warriors] a little. For us, I still believe that an older player can play if their name is correct and their contract is appropriate. Take a look at LeBron James.
This September, Durant will turn 37, yet he remains one of the league’s best players. With 62 games played, the 15-time NBA All-Star averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
Durant’s remarkable accomplishment despite his advanced age was emphasized by Charania. According to ESPN Research, he averaged at least 25 points, 50% shooting, and 40% on 3-pointers for three consecutive seasons, the longest sequence in NBA history. He is the finest option to age gracefully in today’s game because he shot a league-best percentage of midrange shots (53.1%) and jumpers (49.7%).
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