A summer shake-up appears imminent for Kevin Durant, as trade rumors intensify following a disappointing season in Phoenix.
After two-and-a-half years failing to return the Suns to title contention, marked by early playoff exits and a miss entirely last season, Durant is reportedly ready for a fresh start.
ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that Durant has communicated to teams around the league his three preferred destinations for a long-term commitment: Miami, San Antonio, and Houston.
Notably, each of these cities-Miami, TX (Rockets), and San Antonio-are based in states with no income tax, a financial perk that could enhance his take-home pay significantly.
In response to social media chatter and a playful jab about loyalty from Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports, Durant kept things concise and unfazed: “Great post kellan lol.”
Drafting Durant’s Next Home
Durant‘s next move will determine more than just his career trajectory-it could realign power within the NBA landscape.
With a championship-ready culture, Miami presents a logical fit. Despite recent playoff disappointments, its player-first ethos and strategic roster could stabilize a Durant-led squad. Plus, the tax benefit sweetens the deal.
Pairing Durant with the sensational Victor Wembanyama offers high upside. The Spurs’ abundance of draft capital gives Phoenix leverage to land a strong return.
However, balancing championship urgency with a rebuild timeline remains a challenge .
Houston Rockets, coming off a strong 52-win season and deep first-round run, could take a big leap with Durant.
His relationships with head coach Ime Udoka and staff add appeal. But Houston must carefully weigh the cost in young assets like Jalen Green or Jabari Smith Jr.
While Durant prefers these three, Phoenix has signaled it will pursue the highest offer from any of six to eight interested teams, including contenders like Minnesota, New York, and Philadelphia.
Durant enters the final year of his contract at $54.7 million, which means any new team can offer a two-year extension beginning July 6 worth up to $122 million-or $124 million six months later.
Although 37, Durant remains a top-tier scorer. Last season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks, while maintaining elite shooting percentages: 49.7% on jumpers, 53.1% midrange, and 43% from beyond the arc.
However, per advanced metrics Durant‘s age shows: he ranked 29th in BPM, 32nd in EPM, 48th in RAPTOR, and 84th in Win Shares per 48 minutes-a sign of his evolving role as primarily a scorer rather than an all-terrain superstar.
Phoenix has already initiated trade conversations, hinting that a deal could materialize within days-possibly before the June 25 NBA Draft.
With Durant‘s preference on record and the Suns emphasizing value, multiple suitors are positioned to make compelling offers.
As franchises craft proposals and Phoenix weighs all options, Durant‘s next chapter may define his legacy for years to come.
Superteams have risen and fallen before-and a move this summer could shift the balance once more.
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