Kevin Durant's final three preferred destinations were reported to be the Spurs, Rockets, and Heat. He landed in one of those spots, but didn't seem thrilled about it. Durant was on stage at the Fanatics Fest in New York with Taylor Rooks when the news of his trade to Houston broke. The crowd let KD know what happened immediately, and his reaction to it was interesting.
Kevin Durant’s live reaction to news breaking that he’s been traded to the Houston Rockets: pic.twitter.com/dDOGh425LN
— Jonathan Macri (@JCMacriNBA) June 22, 2025
"We gon see, man. We gon see what happens." - Kevin Durant
That doesn't sound like a man who was traded where he wanted to be. Recently, reports revealed that the three preferred spots were really just one: San Antonio. He didn't get his wish, and it's never been clearer that those reports were accurate. One of the most prolific scorers in NBA history wanted to head to South Texas to play for Mitch Johnson. That's a win, in my book.
It's also hilarious because it's another illustration of a high-profile player not wanting to go to Houston, and instead preferring San Antonio. As a Rockets rivalry enjoyer, that pleases me. But what's done is done, and SA can look to improve their team in other ways, as Paul Garcia so graciously pointed out on social media after the trade went down.
For the Spurs, now that they’re not getting Durant, they have the following ways to upgrade the roster:
2nd pick in Wednesday’s draft (assumed to be Dylan Harper)
14th pick Wednesday (trade or draft someone?)
38th pick Thursday
$14.1 million NTMLE
$5.1 million BAE
— Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) June 22, 2025
The Spurs' timeline is still undecided
San Antonio will likely use every bit of those assets this summer, but how they use them still remains to be seen. Originally, the plan was to build slowly through the draft, but that was before Victor Wembanyama emerged as a top 10 player so quickly and certainly before the De'Aaron Fox trade.
Bringing in Fox was a clear indication that the Spurs were ready to hit the accelerator. When stars fall into your lap like the speedy point guard did, it would be foolish to turn him down. The same was the case for Durant. You just have to entertain it. They didn't overpay for the Sacramento franchise point guard, and they weren't going to do it for KD.
Exploring those possibilities was the right decision, no matter what the original plan was, and the way they both concluded was exactly how they should have in both scenarios. The Kings couldn't force SA to give up much, and they didn't. The Suns wanted Brian Wright to up his offer, and he said no.
But it tells you that the front office is willing to adjust the route on the timeline based on the information available. When the circumstances change, they'll move accordingly. That's encouraging. You don't want the organization to be rigid or stubborn.