Kevin Durant is one of the best NBA players in history.
He is on an expiring $54.7 million deal for the 2025-26 season, and the Phoenix Suns have made it clear to six to eight interested teams that they will offer the best deal for the franchise.
Durant wants out of Phoenix and has listed his preferred destinations.
This trade could happen sooner rather than later. On Friday, June 13, Shams Charania stated on the Pat McAfee Show, “I think there’s some motivation with some teams, potentially even sooner than seven days; maybe in the next few days, we could get some Kevin Durant trade actions,” Charania said on McAfee. “There is some serious traction on conversations on trade scenarios with the Suns.”
According to Shams, Durant’s preferred destinations are the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, or San Antonio Spurs.
Kevin Durant Prefers To Land With The Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Or San Antonio Spurs
Shams states, “People across the NBA have been made aware in recent days that those are the three teams Durant would commit to with a long-term extension.”
Shams continued, “Once he is traded, Durant will be eligible to sign a two-year contract extension July 6 worth as much as $122 million. If he were to wait six months after the trade, he could sign a two-year extension worth up to $124 million.”
Those three destinations are not a coincidence. Florida and Texas do not have state income tax, which means Durant would keep more of his money.
The Rockets and Spurs are both exciting, young teams as well. Durant would be a significant boost to their team, depending on what they would have to give up to acquire him.
Houston finished second in the Western Conference this season. Durant would help them go further in the playoffs. The Rockets lost in seven games in the first round against the Golden State Warriors.
San Antonio has a lot of promise as long as Victor Wembanyama is healthy.
Miami is in the Eastern Conference, which is an easier path than the West. Jayson Tatum could miss all of next season or at least most of it, leaving the East wide open for the Heat if Durant joins.
Despite Durant being 37 when next season begins, he still averaged 26.6 points per game this season.
Best Landing Spot For Durant To Win Another Title
While Kevin Durant may want to go to the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, or San Antonio Spurs, these teams may not be his best option if he wants to win another title.
Durant would keep a lot more of his money if he went to a team in Texas or Florida, but the New York Knicks may be his best chance of winning another title.
The Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals but lost in six games against the Indiana Pacers. If the Knicks can have a trio of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Kevin Durant, this would be the best team in the Eastern Conference in the 2025-26 NBA season. Depending on what the Knicks have to give up, it may be worth it to get another scorer to help Brunson.
Durant is still a bucket machine, and Brunson would help him be successful.
The East is wide open in the 2025-26 season, especially with Tatum’s injury. Kevin Durant would have to pay a high state income tax, but the Knicks may be his best path to winning another Championship.
