Minnesota’s Bold Pursuit of a Superstar
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst has reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves are the most aggressive team pursuing Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant as the 2025 NBA offseason heats up. Following a disappointing 2024-25 season where the Suns missed the playoffs with a 36-46 record, Durant, a 15-time All-Star, is widely expected to be traded. Windhorst, on his Hoop Collective podcast, revealed that Minnesota made a serious attempt to acquire Durant at the February 2025 trade deadline, with sources indicating the team contacted other clubs to navigate salary cap constraints. With Durant’s $54.7 million contract in its final year, the Timberwolves see him as the key to elevating their roster around Anthony Edwards.
Strategic Fit: Durant as the Missing Piece
The Timberwolves, fresh off a second consecutive Western Conference Finals appearance but a 4-1 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, view Durant as the “alpha” needed to complement Edwards. Despite a 17-4 surge after March 1, Minnesota struggled with secondary scoring, with Julius Randle (18.9 PPG) unable to fully fill the void left by Karl-Anthony Towns’ trade to the Knicks. Durant, 36, averaged 26.6 points on 52.7% shooting and 43% from three in 2024-25, offering elite scoring and veteran leadership. His chemistry with Edwards, forged during the 2024 Paris Olympics, makes Minnesota an attractive destination, as Edwards has called Durant his favorite player. A proposed trade could involve Rudy Gobert ($35M), Donte DiVincenzo ($12.2M), and rookie Rob Dillingham ($6.3M) to match salaries, leveraging Minnesota’s newfound cap flexibility if Randle and Naz Reid opt out.
Challenges and Competition in the Trade Race
Acquiring Durant is not without hurdles. At the trade deadline, both Minnesota and Phoenix were above the NBA’s second apron, making a deal nearly impossible due to salary cap restrictions. Now, with Randle and Reid’s potential opt-outs, Minnesota could drop below the second apron, easing trade logistics. However, Durant’s no-trade clause and reported reservations about Minnesota’s fit—both on and off the court—could complicate negotiations. The Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs are also in the mix, with the Heat frequently cited as a top contender. Phoenix seeks a haul of players and picks, and Durant’s desire for a contract extension may limit suitors. Minnesota’s refusal to include Jaden McDaniels in talks further complicates the package.
Impact on the NBA Landscape
If the Timberwolves land Durant, pairing him with Edwards could create a lethal offensive duo, potentially pushing Minnesota past their Western Conference Finals ceiling. However, trading assets like Gobert could weaken their top-tier defense, a hallmark of their recent success. For Phoenix, moving Durant signals a roster reset after their superteam experiment failed. With trade talks heating up around the June 25 NBA Draft, Minnesota’s aggressive front office, led by Tim Connelly, is poised to make a bold move, but the outcome hinges on Durant’s preferences and Phoenix’s demands. This blockbuster could reshape the Western Conference in 2025-26.
