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Suns Asking Price for Kevin Durant Revealed for Timberwolves
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- Suns Asking Price for Kevin Durant Revealed for Timberwolves
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The 2024-25 Minnesota Timberwolves are on a roll, riding high on a five-game winning streak that has them just 0.5 games behind Golden State for the 6th seed in the Western Conference, and 5.5 games behind 2nd seed Denver , who they will play on the road Wednesday night .
Thus, it might be a bit early to start thinking about what projects to be a very intriguing offseason for this organization. Nonetheless, there are some bits of news that need to be addressed, no matter the time of year, especially when it addresses rumors of a possible Kevin Durant trade .
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Kevin Durant is easily one of the greatest scorers the game has ever seen, and there's no doubt he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer. For the past year — in large part thanks to his budding relationship with Wolves superstar Anthony Edwards — there has been chatter of a possible match between the Suns and Timberwolves, as trade partners in a deal that would include Durant.
How much will Kevin Durant cost the Minnesota Timberwolves in a trade?
Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
In fact, post NBA trade deadline reports revealed recently that Minnesota got closer to trading for Durant earlier this month, than what was originally thought. We know KD wasn't happy about being kicked around in trade talks, even using his no-trade clause to veto a deal that would have landed him back in Golden State.
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But on Monday, Suns insider Duane Rankin (The Arizona Republic) , reported that Durant has all but accepted the reality of an offseason trade this summer/fall. Then, Rankins revealed Phoenix's "ideal" asking price for Kevin Durant, when that time comes — (3) first round picks and a young player
Sources informed The Arizona Republic that Durant's camp was upset Phoenix put him in trade talks before the 2025 deadline last month as he rejected a move back to Golden State where he won back-to-back NBA titles and finals MVPs.
However, between the Suns having already looked to move Durant, him publicly saying he understood it and his camp taking issue with those talks, it's hard to see him staying in Phoenix beyond this season.
Sources informed The Republic the most ideal return on a Durant trade is regaining three first-round picks and a young player as part of a multi-team deal tied to getting under the second apron.
Whoa… that's a lot of draft picks
Three first round picks seems like an awfully steep price to pay for a 36-year-old former MVP, especially when you consider the lack of future draft capital the Minnesota Timberwolves have at their disposal:
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2025 1st Round Pick— from Detroit (protected 1-13)
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2026 1st Round Pick Swap— Jazz
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2028 1st Round Pick
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2030 1st Round Pick Swap— Spurs .
The Timberwolves have a shot at making this deal happen, maybe by including a young player like Terrance Shannon Jr, Rob Dillingham , or Jaylen Clark . But if the Suns stick to their guns, I can't imagine a scenario where Kevin Durant lands in Minnesota for three first round picks, plus more.
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Still, seeing Kevin Durant finish his legendary career in Minnesota would be something special. Even at this stage in his career, his box scores have yet to slow down. KD is still putting up 26.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
Pairing Anthony Edwards with his basketball idol would give the MN Timberwolves one of the best frontcourts in the league and put them in the conversation for the 2025-26 NBA Finals. So… stay tuned.
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