Veteran swingman Kevin Durant could be nearing the end of his tenure with the Phoenix Suns. This summer, if Durant is put on the trade block, several teams are expected to show interest, starting with the Lakers, Rockets, Spurs, and Heat.
"The San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat will pursue a Kevin Durant trade this offseason," wrote Hoops Wire.
Durant, 36, is one of the best scorers in the NBA and he's also one of the most accomplished as a 2x champion, former MVP, and 15x All-Star. After being drafted by the Thunder in 2007, Durant rose to stardom as a 7-foot sharpshooter and took his talents to various teams, including the Warriors and Nets.
Currently, Durant is on the Suns and he was happy there. However, reports indicate that he has lost trust in the team over his recent involvement in trade rumors. Now, a Durant trade is more than viable in the offseason and it could launch a massive bidding war.
The Lakers arguably have the most to gain from adding Durant. At 36, Durant has a very narrow title window and the Lakers are one of the few teams aligned with his timeline.
They may not have enough assets to acquire Durant, but if the Lakers are willing to give up Austin Reaves it could be enough to get a conversation started.
At 4th in the West, the Houston Rockets may only be one piece away from title contention and Durant fits the bill. His shooting and scoring ability would be a huge boost for the Rockets and help them become a more potent offensive team.
They would have to give up a massive haul for Durant but the Rockets might feel more incentivized to sacrifice their assets if they make a deep playoff run this year.
The Spurs will be the youngest team in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes but they have a lot to gain from his services. As Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox grow together, Durant could be their go-to scorer and mentor that helps them take that next step as a team.
It's no secret that Durant has a great appreciation for Wemby and the basketball dou could wreak havoc with a coordinated inside-outside attack. But after giving up much of their assets at the deadline, it remains to be seen if they'll have enough to make a compelling offer.
Finally, the Miami Heat are the only Eastern team in the Durant chase and they almost got him this season before negotiations with the Suns fell apart. As the only team Durant had eyes for this season, it makes sense that they are expected to pursue him this summer.
With averages of 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 53.2% shooting this season, Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the league right now and his longevity is impressive.
Even at this stage of his career, Durant could thrive in the right situation but it remains to be seen how the summer plays out. If Durant stays loyal, the Suns will keep building around him but if not then several teams will be ready to make their best trade offer.
