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Raptors Refusing to Include Key Player in Kevin Durant Trade Talks: Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 7:30 PM ET

As the NBA enters the offseason the key storyline has been the next landing spot for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant.

Of course, the Suns are expected to move on from Durant this offseason as they try to rebuild their roster around Devin Booker and bounce back after another disappointing season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.

With Durant likely to be on the move, there have been many teams linked to the future Hall of Famer.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat have emerged as Durant’s preferred landing spots this summer.

The Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant's preferred trade destinations out of Phoenix, sources tell ESPN. Those across the NBA have been made aware in recent days that those are the three teams that Durant would commit to long-term. pic.twitter.com/Hqn5hDaWxC
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2025

Despite this, there have been other teams involved in trade talks with the Suns for Durant, including the Toronto Raptors.

For the Raptors, adding Durant next to their core of Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes could help them turn things around and contend in the Eastern Conference next season.

While that may be the case, a report that came out on Friday suggests that the Raptors may be out on the Durant sweepstakes as they are unwilling to include one of their key players in trade talks.

According to SportsNet’s Michael Grange, the Raptors are refusing to include center Jakob Poeltl in trade talks for Durant.

The Raptors are refusing to include Jakob Poeltl in a Kevin Durant trade, per @michaelgrange (https://t.co/1Z79at9cvU).

Without Poeltl, Toronto’s offer would need to be built around Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and the No. 9 overall pick in a multi-team framework. pic.twitter.com/lislijY9fN
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 20, 2025

This is a massive report by Grange and one that has a massive impact on a potential trade between the Suns and Raptors that would send Durant to Toronto.

Of course, the Suns struggled with their center position last season and there is no doubt that they would want Poeltl in a trade with the Raptors as he would be a massive upgrade to their frontcourt.

Poeltl is an elite rim protector and he has also improved offensively over the past few seasons, which would be a massive upgrade next to Booker in the starting lineup.

Despite this, it appears that the Raptors are unwilling to include the 29-year-old big man in trade talks, which may cost them a shot at landing Durant this offseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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