As NBA teams prepare for the upcoming offseason, the future of Kevin Durant remains a hot topic. The 36-year-old, a 15-time All-Star and two-time Finals MVP, is reportedly seeking a quick departure from the Phoenix Suns. Under the direction of new general manager Brian Gregory and head coach Jordan Ott, the Suns seem willing to facilitate Durant’s exit.
Despite pairing Durant with All-Star Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Suns finished last season with a disappointing 36-46 record, missing even the Western Conference play-in tournament. This underperformance, coupled with coaching instability—Phoenix having gone through four head coaches in four years under owner Mat Ishbia—has fueled speculation about Durant’s trade prospects.
Spurs Unwilling to Part with Valuable Draft Assets
Among the teams linked to Kevin Durant—such as the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, and L.A. Clippers—the San Antonio Spurs have emerged as hesitant trade partners. Despite the potential appeal of a pairing between Durant and their young All-Star center Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs believe the asking price is too steep.
On a recent episode of The Zach Lowe Show, analyst Kirk Goldsberry explained the Spurs’ position, stating,
“I know our friends in San Antonio think the price is too high. The original discussions including the No. 2 pick and/or Stephon Castle are not going very well, I can tell you that.”
—Kirk Goldsberry, NBA Analyst
Stephon Castle, the Spurs’ promising rookie guard, was recently named Rookie of the Year, making him a critical part of the team’s core. San Antonio is reluctant to give up the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, despite the interest in adding a veteran star like Durant to strengthen their frontcourt alongside Wembanyama.
Potential Draft Prospects Encourage Spurs’ Cautious Approach
With the No. 2 draft pick highly valuable, San Antonio appears more inclined to bet on the future potential of top prospects such as Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, Baylor’s V.J. Edgecomb, and Texas guard Tre Johnson, rather than trading them for an established but aging star. The Spurs, additionally holding the No. 14 pick, retain flexibility in the draft and roster development.
Besides draft capital, the Spurs’ roster features other young talents like Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan, providing a solid foundation that the team seems reluctant to disrupt for Durant’s services at this stage.
Ongoing Negotiations Amid Unclear Trade Outlook
While a deal involving Durant and the Spurs has not materialized due to perceived high costs, discussions are not necessarily finished. Phoenix’s openness to moving Durant and the Spurs’ roster situation suggest trade talks could resume as the offseason progresses. However, the Spurs’ strategy of prioritizing their promising draft prospects and young players indicates a cautious stance on making a big trade that would include key assets such as Stephon Castle and the coveted No. 2 pick.