The Minnesota Timberwolves' pursuit of Kevin Durant has been well-documented. A recent report from trusted NBA insider Jake Fischer indicates the Wolves are one of two frontrunners in the Durant sweepstakes.
“Things are obviously fluid at this stage, but the two teams most frequently cited as potential landing spots for Durant entering Saturday's business, league sources say, were Minnesota and Miami,” Fischer reported on the Stein Line (subscription required).
ESPN's Sham Charania expressed a similar sentiment on Friday, listing the Wolves, Miami Heat, and Houston Rockets as the three main suitors for Durant.
"The focus of the Suns' conversation has been on a few of the teams and here they are: the Houston Rockets, the Miami Heat, and the Minnesota Timberwolves."@ShamsCharania discusses the three teams in talks with acquiring Kevin Durant 👀 (via @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/X24C4o1Hvh
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 13, 2025
Based on these reports, the Wolves, alongside the Heat, are the two most likely landing spots for Durant, with the Rockets as another clear possibility. It appears that talks with the San Antonio Spurs, who were previously considered the favorite to land KD, have fizzled out at least for now. Additionally, Shams mentioned that a deal could be done within the next few days. For the Suns, they are likely focused on getting a deal done before the draft.
However, The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski reported that the deal isn't close right now despite ongoing discussions between Phoenix and Minnesota, but things can change fast. Overall, the Wolves seem to be one of the most likely landing spots for Durant.
The Wolves could have the best offer for Durant
The package is worth considering in Durant trade talks. Based on how conversations are moving and Durant's somewhat low value, the most likely possibility is that the Wolves' offer will be centered around Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo. Minnesota would also likely include young talent such as Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., and their draft picks this year. This could mean that Dillingham or the 17th overall pick gets moved, or maybe it's a combination of Shannon and the 32nd overall pick. Fischer noted the possibility of Gobert being traded but also said a deal would be verbally agreed upon but not official until the start of free agency since both teams are currently in the second apron.
Whatever the case is, the framework is certainly there, and the Wolves would crucially be able to retain Jaden McDaniels. However, Julius Randle's future with the team would be up in the air. Undoubtedly, though, the duo of Anthony Edwards and Durant would have championship-level upside. Durant would provide some much-needed shot creation next to Edwards, and the Wolves would move closer to winning a title.
From the Suns' side, the Wolves' offer may be the best they'll get. Gobert provides some much-needed rim protection and fills a clear position of need. Additionally, landing some form of young talent is ideal for Phoenix. Unless the Heat offer Kel'el Ware, which feels unlikely given his stellar rookie season, their offer won't compare from a young talent or positional need standpoint.
A deal centered around Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Duncan Robinson, and the 20th overall pick pales in comparison to Minnesota's offer. Now, if the Heat are willing to include the 20th overall pick with additional draft capital or even someone like Ware, things could get interesting. Having future draft capital is Miami's major advantage over Minnesota.
The Rockets remain the biggest wild card in the Durant sweepstakes. At face value, they could outbid any team. However, it's unclear what they are willing to offer, and Fischer notes it's believed they are only willing to go so far. If the 10th overall pick and future draft capital isn't on the table, suddenly their offer isn't that enticing. Furthermore, Jalen Green doesn't fill an area of need for the Suns.
Ultimately, it's unclear if the Wolves will be able to land Durant. However, they seem like one of the most well-positioned teams to trade for KD and are one of the clear frontrunners. This situation will be worth continuing to monitor, and a deal could be finalized sooner rather than later.