After the Phoenix Suns fired head coach Mike Budenholzer, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Suns and Kevin Durant are expected to work together on a trade this offseason. Durant, 36, has one year left on his contract. He will make $54.7 million next season. 

The Suns almost traded Durant to the Golden State Warriors at the February trade deadline before Durant made it known behind the scenes that he didn’t want to be traded back to the Warriors, who acquired Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat after they found out that KD wasn’t interested in a reunion. 

The Warriors are not expected to pursue a Durant trade this summer since they got Butler, but according to NBA insider Marc Stein, three 2025 playoff teams and one historic franchise have already been linked to the Suns star. 

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant

Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Stein reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs are most likely landing spots for Durant. The Timberwolves, Knicks, and Heat are in the 2025 playoffs, while the Spurs missed the postseason again but have two All-Stars on the team in De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama.

“Minnesota, New York, Miami, and San Antonio rank as the most frequently cited potential Durant suitors,” Stein wrote. “League sources, in particular, have been pinpointing the Timberwolves and Knicks depending on how their postseasons play out.”

Durant turns 37 in the fall. He appeared in 62 games this season, averaging 26.6 points while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from 3, and 83.9% from the free-throw line. The 15-time All-Star is still one of the most electric scorers in the NBA. 

It will be fascinating to see where Durant is playing next season. The two-time Finals MVP hasn’t gotten back to the NBA Finals since leaving the Warriors in the summer of 2019.