The Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as a suitor for Kevin Durant, and pairing him with Anthony Edwards would immediately make the Wolves an even more dangerous team.
Kevin Durant is expected to be the biggest name on the trade block this offseason, barring a massive announcement from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is yet to ask for a trade.
The Phoenix Suns, after it became apparent that their big three of Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker would not find success, started shopping Durant, although they were unable to get a deal done before the 2025 trade deadline.
The San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat have all been linked to Durant, although pairing him with Anthony Edwards on the Minnesota Timberwolves makes the most sense.
In the 2024 NBA playoffs, Edwards and the Wolves sent Durant and the Suns packing in the first round, and Edwards was seen talking trash to the legend.
That seemed to set the stage for beef, although during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where both Durant and Edwards were stars for Team USA, it was clear that they had nothing but respect for one another, and both are pure hoopers.
“USA basketball was an incredible time for them,” outlined Jay Williams. “You saw their bond continue to mature. Anthony Edwards does not call any player in the world his favorite player. He’s one of the most competitive dudes you’ve ever met. He’ll call KD that.”
Edwards and Durant, despite both receiving their fair share of criticisms for the way they carry themselves, do not care about the spotlight or being marketable; they just want to play basketball.
On the same team, they could feed off of one another.
“KD and Ant-Man make the most sense, right?” echoed Marcus Morris. “They’re both two players that just talks about ball. All they want to do is hoop. Forget all the other stuff. It’s just about basketball.”
In a small market with minimal distractions, the pair could make a push for the first Finals appearance in Timberwolves’ history. Markieff Morris agreed with his brother and Williams, saying they would “for sure” win the West if they added Durant.
Getting Durant to the Wolves is a massive effort, since KD is owed $54.7 million next season and the Wolves will need to match it.
The Suns have reportedly set the asking price at a young player, matching salary, and three first-round picks for Durant, although they will likely bring that price down, which is good, since the Wolves traded most of their picks for Rudy Gobert.
In order to make a deal work, Minnesota would have to be willing to give up some key players, although if Julius Randle opts into the last year of his contract, things are easier.
“They have Julius Randle, a couple other guys are making a significant amount of money that you can match that up with,” Morris explained.
Zach Lowe cooked up a trade that would send Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, and Rob Dillingham to the Suns for Durant, although it stands to reason that the Wolves wouldn’t eagerly give up Gobert, Edwards, or Jaden McDaniels.
If Randle is added to the trade package, the Wolves could easily make it work.
Full Mock Trade Details
- Timberwolves receive: Kevin Durant
- Suns receive: Julius Randle, Mike Conley, Donte DiVincenzo, Terrence Shannon Jr.
In this deal, the Suns miss out on landing any draft picks, although they get win-now players like Conley, Randle, and DiVincenzo, who could perhaps make a playoff run alongside Nick Richards, Booker, and Beal.
The Wolves, meanwhile, have to be confident in Rob Dillingham’s ability to run point for Durant, Gobert, Edwards, and Jaden McDaniels.
This trade opens up the possibility to re-sign Naz Reid, although other teams like the Spurs and Detroit Pistons will still be able to offer more money, although the Wolves would emerge as title frontrunners, even with their depth slashed.
