The Phoenix Suns are widely expected to trade Kevin Durant in the very near future, and a new suitor may enter the mix for the two-time NBA Finals MVP.
A report earlier this week said the Suns have mostly been in contact with five teams about a potential trade centered around Durant. Those teams are the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks.
According to a story from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst that was published on Friday, there is at least one other team to keep an eye on in the Durant sweepstakes — the Los Angeles Clippers.
James Harden has a player option for the 2025-26 season, but the belief is that he will either opt in or sign a new deal with L.A. It is unclear how much the Clippers would be willing to give up for Durant, however. Phoenix would likely want center Ivica Zubac, and adding Durant would give L.A. a trio of aging stars in Durant, Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
Durant is set to make $54.7 million in the final year of his deal next season. He will be eligible for a two-year extension worth up to $112 million if he signs a new deal this summer. If Durant were to wait six months after being traded, he would become eligible for a two-year deal worth up to $124 million.
Given that he will turn 37 in September and has dealt with a major injury in his career, Durant might prefer to sign the extension as soon as possible. That could become a factor in trade discussions.
Durant continued to play at an elite level this season with 26.6 points per game. There have been rumblings that he has his eye on one specific Western Conference team, but the idea of playing for the Clippers in their new state-of-the-art arena might appeal to him.
