The NBA is in the middle of the Finals, but surprisingly, the spotlight has shifted to a major trade rumor that appears to be close to materializing. The trade centers around Kevin Durant, who is entering the final years of his storied career. Some of the game's all-time greats are inching toward retirement, and Durant is no exception.
Durant has been in meetings with the Suns as both sides work to finalize a potential deal. After Phoenix failed to make the Play-In Tournament last season, Durant is reportedly ready for a fresh start in a new uniform. The question now is: which team will offer the most to get him?
“The Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant's business partner, Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, have met multiple times over the past week and are sifting through trade scenarios, sources told ESPN on Wednesday,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.
Three teams are currently pursuing Durant with full force.
“The Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant's preferred trade destinations, sources told ESPN on Saturday night. People across the NBA have been made aware in recent days that those are the three teams Durant would commit to with a long-term extension,” Charania wrote.
If Durant ends up in Miami, he could receive the extension money the team chose not to give Jimmy Butler.
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“So if Miami, then Durant would get the extension money that didn’t go to Butler. If,” South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman wrote.
Miami Heat President Pat Riley stood firm on his decision not to extend Butler, which sparked some tension.
“No, I’m not going to apologize for saying no on the contract extension when we didn’t have to,” Riley said. “And I don’t think I should. I will always say that to the players, if I was coaching, ‘Keep your mouth shut, and I’ll see you next training camp.’ And you get back on the court.”
Now, the money Butler hoped for—but didn’t receive—could become the very thing that makes Kevin Durant a member of the Heat for the rest of his career.