The 5 most probable destinations for Kevin Durant this summer

The Phoenix Suns are on the brink of missing the 2025 NBA Playoffs with the highest payroll in league history. The team's bold trade for Kevin Durant hours after Mat Ishbia took control of the franchise has been an unmitigated disaster, and now the league's worst-kept secret is that the team's superstar will again be on the hot seat when their season ends.

The Suns will trade Durant in the offseason, as reported by ESPN's Brian Windhorst. NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed that the Suns and Durant will work together on any potential trade to a contender. The franchise attempted to negotiate with him at the deadline, but Durant essentially vetoed a return trade to the Golden State Warriors because he had no interest in rejoining his former team.

Durant's time in Phoenix may have been a failure, but for the most part, he held up his end of the bargain. He remains an elite player despite turning 37 before the upcoming season. Furthermore, he is set to extend his contract, which will impact the bidding much like it did in the Jimmy Butler trade to the Warriors. The playoffs will ultimately determine which teams are desperate enough to go after KD, but there are already some easily identifiable suitors who might be interested.

5. Oklahoma City Thunder

Returning to the team that drafted him was a wonderful move for LeBron James' legacy. Durant coming back to the Thunder after his unceremonious exit could provide a similar feel-good narrative. My guess is that the Thunder would only consider bringing Durant back if they don't win the championship this season. OKC has never won a title, and even though this team has a long window of contention ahead of them, they shouldn't get too comfortable. The Thunder's biggest issue heading into the playoffs is secondary scoring after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. What better way to relieve the pressure off SGA than by adding Durant? The Thunder can outbid any team if they truly desire with numerous future draft picks at their disposal. Swapping Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort for Durant is a feasible deal, salary-wise.

4. Detroit Pistons

Detroit has a great collection of young players they could involve in this trade and hold all their future first-round picks beyond this year. Durant would fit perfectly alongside Cade Cunningham as a secondary scorer and spacer, and we've already seen him dominate the East in Brooklyn. The Pistons currently hold a protected playoff spot after winning only 14 games last season. This is no longer the most desperate franchise in the NBA, and I would say Durant to Detroit is a tremendous fit for both the player and the team.

3. Miami Heat

The Heat always pursue superstars under Pat Riley's guidance, and Durant remains a superstar even as he approaches 37 years old. Miami's long-term prospects have had a slight upswing this year, with Tyler Herro becoming an All-Star shooting guard. Bam Adebayo has had a down year, but he's still at his best. Adding Durant gives us a pretty attractive big three in the East, especially in how Miami can develop role players.

2. Houston Rockets

The Rockets' post-James Harden rebuild is officially over. Houston has surged in the standings this season in Ime Udoka's second year as head coach with a deep roster of young, athletic players who play hard as hell every night. The only thing missing for Houston is a go-to player in crunch time, and that's where Durant fits in perfectly even at his age. Durant still has offensive prowess, and even if he can't do it every night as he ages, he would still be a specialist spacer for Amen Thompson. The arms race in the West never stops, and Houston needs a bold move for a star if they want to keep up.

1. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks just made one of the worst trades in NBA history by sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. If Nico Harrison wants to save face, he needs to make another bold move, and Durant is a perfect player to pursue. Adding Durant to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis would be a 'big three' of centerpiece future Hall of Fame members at point guard, small forward, and center. All three are at the twilight of their careers and ready to focus solely on chasing championships. After trading Doncic, the Mavericks couldn't resist giving Durant the extension he desires.

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