The list of suitors for Kevin Durant is said to be narrowing, but a surprise team might make a last-ditch effort to acquire the 15-time NBA All-Star.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said during the Sunday morning edition of “SportsCenter” that the Toronto Raptors remain a team to watch in the Durant sweepstakes. While Toronto is not one of the three teams with which Durant reportedly says he would sign an extension, they may be willing to risk acquiring him as a one-year rental.
Windhorst compared the situation to when the Raptors traded for Kawhi Leonard when the two-time NBA was on an expiring contract in 2018.
“Once again, you don’t see Toronto on Durant’s list, but the Raptors are one of the teams lurking out there, who may be willing to do this without knowing that they can keep Durant on an extension, and basically potentially be a rental,” Windhorst said, as transcribed by Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report. “And I think there’s a couple others, including the Los Angeles Clippers, and potentially even the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is still wide open. Maybe Durant gets what he wants, maybe he has to accept something else.”
Durant does not have a no-trade clause. The Suns are said to be working with him to find a deal that is suitable for both Durant and the team, but it remains to be seen if they would turn down the best offer just to grant K.D. his wish.
The Raptors finished 30-52 this season and well outside the play-in tournament. They have rebuilt their roster in recent years, but they made a big move to acquire Brandon Ingram at the trade deadline in February. Ingram then signed a 3-year, $120 million extension with Toronto.
The Raptors have also been linked to another star player this offseason, so they seem serious about making a big splash.
