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Shams Charania Reveals Four 'Wild-Card' Teams Tried Trading for Kevin Durant

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 2:32 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks.

Durant lands with one of the teams he wanted to play for.

According to Shams Charania, who broke the Durant trade on ESPN, four "wild-card" teams tried to trade for Durant as well.

"The Suns engaged in serious talks to move Durant this week, primarily focused on the Heat, Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, sources said," Charania wrote. "Several other wild-card suitors emerged as well -- including the Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets, sources said.

"But with Durant on an expiring, $54.7 million contract and eligible for a new two-year extension after the trade, the league's market for him clearly showed his ability to dictate whether he wanted to play for a franchise long term."

The Rockets were the second seed in the West this season. They lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs in five games.

Durant, 36, has one year left on his contract. He turns 37 in September. The NBA legend averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Suns this season while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line.

Durant began his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He played with Russell Westbrook and James Harden in OKC.

With Durant now in Houston, KD, Westbrook and Harden have played for the Thunder and Rockets.

Durant is a two-time Finals MVP. He has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 1,123 NBA games.

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

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