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Three NBA teams locked in for Kevin Durant long-term

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 6:06 PM ET

He has an expiring $54.7 million remaining on his contract with the Phoenix Suns, but Kevin Durant wants out.

The 15-time NBA All-Star wants to win a third championship. Durant, 36, is one of the all-time great scorers in league history and a two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. He is a future Hall of Famer, but which franchise gives Durant the best opportunity to capture another title? Three teams are locked in on wanting to make a long-term deal with Durant.

San Antonio, Houston, and Miami are the franchises via ESPN’s Shams Charania.

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

Durant is on an expiring $54.7 million deal for 2025-26, and the Suns have made clear to six-to-eight seriously interested teams that they will make the best deal for the franchise – even outside of his preferred list of Miami, San Antonio and Houston. https://t.co/rz2Imn2lnU

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2025

The Spurs are in the best situation with young stars like Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox.

Gregg Popovich left San Antonio in great hands before he retired, and adding Durant could be the final piece necessary for a championship. Houston made the Western Conference playoffs, but lost in the first round to Golden State. The Rockets have quality pieces — including Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet, and Dillon Brooks — but Durant would put it over the top.

The Miami Heat have Pat Riley, Erik Spoelstra, and a winning culture. Durant joining Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo would be good too. We will see where he ends up, but Durant has a market of three teams that want him.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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