Sources: Spurs Saving Assets To Pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo, Were Never That Interested In Kevin Durant

NBA legend Kevin Durant wanted to get traded to the San Antonio Spurs this offseason. The Phoenix Suns knew that and tried to help Durant land with the Spurs, who also knew that Durant wanted to play for them. 

However, the Spurs “were never that interested” in Durant, sources told Hoops Wire. San Antonio, sources said, never made a trade offer to Phoenix for Durant, who wound up getting traded to the Houston Rockets. 

Why would the Spurs not want to trade for Durant? Well, for starters, he turns 37 next season. Secondly, the future Hall of Famer hasn’t had any postseason success since leaving the Golden State Warriors in 2019. 

Durant won one postseason series with the Brooklyn Nets and one playoff series with the Suns. He’s been swept in the first round of the playoffs twice since leaving the Warriors, who won the 2022 title without Durant. 

The Spurs are content with the roster they have going into next season. The team is headlined by Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson, Luke Kornet and rookie Dylan Harper, the second pick in this year’s NBA Draft. 

San Antonio is saving all of its assets for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources said. Antetokounmpo remains open-minded about leaving the Milwaukee Bucks, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN. 

“Giannis Antetokounmpo is open-minded and considering other options outside of Milwaukee,” Charania said on the Stephen A. Smith Show. “He has not requested a trade yet, but he remains open-minded, from my understanding. 

“One thing about Giannis is that he always plays things close to the vest. The moment he feels like in Milwaukee they’re not competing for a championship, he’s going to look around. He has said that on the record.”

If Antetokounmpo ever requests a trade from the Bucks — whether it’s this offseason, next season or next offseason — the Spurs have a bevy of draft picks they can offer to Milwaukee, plus salary filler such as Harper, Johnson, Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Sochan.