The Kevin Durant trade sweepstakes are starting to get momentum ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft as three teams are at the top of his list. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Heat, Spurs and Rockets are Durant’s preferred trade destinations. Charania reports that Durant would sign long-term extensions with each of those franchises.
Durant, 36, is on an expiring $54.7 million deal. So teams looking to trade for the All-Star could be looking to keep him beyond just the 2025-26 season. Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season in 62 games, so even though he’s getting older, it’s clear he can still impact the game at a high level.
Charania originally reported several teams were hoping to trade for one of the best scorers of all-time. He also reported that the Suns "have made clear to six-to-eight seriously interested teams that they will make the best deal for the franchise." So, Durant could still end up on a separate team outside of his preferred list.
The Heat could make a big swing if they landed Durant, though it could get costly. Miami was mediocre last season, finishing 37-45 after trading Jimmy Butler midseason. While they showed some life to earn the No. 8 seed in the playoffs by getting through the play-in tournament, all they got was a sweep at the hands of the No. 1-seeded Cavaliers in the first round.
While there have been other trade rumors, where Durant ends up is the big early question mark of the offseason. He’s still shown to be a game-changing player, so contending teams could view him as a potential last piece.