More Kevin Durant - Spurs Noise

Kevin Durant remains linked to the San Antonio Spurs as the NBA Draft approaches, so let's explore trade scenarios, extension options, and lineup possibilities if KD were to join the Spurs.

There continues to be noise linking the San Antonio Spurs to Kevin Durant.

Let’s review some links between the Spurs and Durant leading to the latest rumor.

• Kevin Durant’s 2016 Free Agency - Before Durant ultimately chose to sign with the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016, he had meetings with several other teams, including the Spurs, who were one of the teams that could secure a meeting with Durant. So there’s been some level of mutual interest between Durant and the Spurs going back to before the current core group of players were on the team, like Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle.

• February NBA Trade Deadline - ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported multiple times that the Spurs and Durant expressed mutual interest during the February NBA trade deadline. After the deadline passed, Durant ended up staying in Phoenix for the rest of the season. In episode 35 of The Spot Up Pod in late April, I looked into some early trade ideas for Durant to the Spurs.

• Latest Rumor - Longtime and very plugged into the Suns radio host John Gambadoro said in a recent radio show that someone close to Durant said the Spurs are an interesting option for Durant, with the ability to join a team that already has Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle on the roster. Gambadoro said he wasn’t reporting who would have to be involved from San Antonio’s side. Still, just looking at players on the roster, players like Harrison Barnes and a young guard like Devin Vassell might need to be included, along with draft picks. Gambadoro also said that if a trade is completed between any team, it would likely need to be completed before the June 25 Draft, so the Suns have a say in who they’re selecting with the acquired picks.

Now, before diving into some trade examples, Durant’s fit with San Antonio, and what an extension could look like, I want to emphasize that the Spurs won’t be the only team with interest in Durant. According to Shams, four to six teams have interest in Durant, and Durant and his agent will be working with the Suns this offseason to find his next team.