Will Kevin Durant get what he wants?

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant will be traded this offseason. The question is, where will it be?

It has been widely reported that Durant has three preferred teams: the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Houston Rockets. However, ESPN’s Shams Charania has noted that the Suns have let it be known that they will "make the best deal for the franchise," indicating that Durant’s preferred trio may be on the outside looking in.

Given Durant’s age — he’ll be 37 when the new season tips off — it’s understandable that teams are not willing to mortgage their future for KD. 

The Suns have rejected San Antonio’s offer centered around Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes and pick 14 in the upcoming draft, preferring Jeremy Sochan and/or Stephon Castle in a deal. Miami doesn’t have anything that the Suns would want in a trade, short of Bam Adebayo, which isn’t happening.

For its part, Houston, which certainly has young talent to spare, as well as a bevy of Phoenix first-rounders, may have its sights set on Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, who might not even be truly available. It might also prefer to let its young team marinate for another season before making any dramatic decisions.

Complicating matters further is Durant’s extension eligibility, where he will expect every penny of a two-year, $122 million deal that he can sign on July 6. At his age and with a laundry list of lower-body injuries to his name, will there be a team willing to take on that risk?

So, will Durant get his wish? Or will his new home fall outside of his chosen three?

Minnesota is widely expected to be front and center in any Durant discussions. Julius Randle looked to be restoring his reputation before turning back into a playoff pumpkin. Do the Suns take a chance on him and possibly Naz Reid or Donte DiVincenzo? The Ringer’s Zach Lowe has mentioned on his podcast that there appears to be a lot of buzz around the Wolves moving for KD.

It has been reported that Toronto general manager Masai Ujiri is looking to make a splash and cash in on some of the young veterans he has acquired over the past two years. Brandon Ingram is somewhat of a Temu-Durant. Would the Suns take him, almost a full decade younger than KD, along with other players that fit with Devin Booker’s timeline?

As much as Nico Harrison has said that he is not trading presumed first overall pick Cooper Flagg, he has surprised us before, bringing in Kyrie Irving and getting rid of Luka Doncic. Whilst Flagg is a blue-chipper, will he be ready to compete at the highest levels before Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson begin to fade? Durant certainly gives the Mavs a high-octane quartet. Dallas has a bevy of bigs and wings to mix and match to Phoenix’s pleasure. It could also use those depth pieces, plus its pick in 2031 and the Lakers' 2029 pick, to try to get Durant whilst keeping Flagg.

The wild card is Detroit. With the East wide open next season, do the Pistons push in their chips and pair Durant with Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren? The Pistons have an intriguing combination of picks, veterans and prospects to dangle in front of Phoenix. Tobias Harris is still criminally underrated thanks to his previous contracts. Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland could give the Suns a nasty edge that they sorely lack. Jaden Ivey’s explosiveness could mesh well with Booker’s silky game.

Durant has his wish list, but he doesn’t hold the reins. As so often happens with KD, he might not get what he wants.