Timberwolves Remain in Hot Pursuit of Kevin Durant, Despite What He Wants

The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to get a better handle on their future, as we inch dangerously close to the end of the 2024-25 NBA Finals and start of the upcoming NBA Draft, which tips off on June 25, just 9 days from today.

The Thunder and Pacers are tied 2-2 going into Monday night’s game five matchup back in OKC. But really, the headlines the last week have belonged to Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns and the teams chasing after a trade for the 10x NBA All-Pro.

Late last week, the Minnesota Timberwolves surged back to the front of the KD sweepstakes, taking over as (-130) favorites to land the 37-year-old 17-year NBA veteran who averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season, along with 1.2 blocks (62 games).

Kevin Durant doesn’t want to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves?

Over the weekend, however, Shams Charania (ESPN) threw cold water on Wolves fans hopeful to reel in the biggest fish of the 2025 offseason, when he reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves were not included in Durant’s list of preferred teams.

Instead of playing with his young protege Anthony Edwards in the Land of 10,000 Frozen Winter Lakes, something he has previously shown interest in doing, Durant reportedly now prefers Houston, Miami or San Antonio, supposedly because those teams are more open to a post-trade extension.

Then Monday afternoon, according to Shams, Durant is doubling down on his new mission to avoid Minnesota. “I’m told told Durant has no desire to be in Minnesota with the Timberwolves.”

Shams: "I'm told Kevin Durant has no desire to be in Minnesota with the Timberwolves"

No KD-Ant duo anymore pic.twitter.com/4SxnaO3LLc

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 16, 2025

Despite what Kevin Durant may or may not want. As of 12:30 this afternoon at DraftKings, the Timberwolves remain odds-on favorites to win the KD sweepstakes, though they have slipped to +160. Meanwhile, KD’s preferred destinations — Miami (+240), then Houston (+350), and finally San Antonio (+400) — remain behind the Wolves.

How is that possible? Would the Suns really trade Durant outside of where he wants to go? Mat Ishbia claims that Phoenix will trade KD to a team that isn’t on his three-team list, and I can’t imagine he’s changed that thinking in the past 24 hours, given what was reported Monday morning on ESPN’s Get Up.

Timberwolves pursuing Durant most aggressively

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst (ESPN), the offers on the table from KD’s preferred list of teams have not “gotten Phoenix excited, to this point”. On the contrary, Windy goes on to explain that “Minnesota…has been the most aggressive team in these trade talks.”

He also notes that the Raptors and Clippers are trying to make a push for Durant too, which makes it seem like all three teams (TOR, LAC, MIN) are offering more than what the Heat, Rockets and Spurs are. But make no mistake, says the trusted reporter, Minnesota have been the most aggressive.

"There are people in this league who believe that Jalen Williams can have a Scottie Pippen-like career." 👀 @WindhorstESPN is looking to see if the J'Dub-SGA duo can take over in Game 5 😤 pic.twitter.com/UOs1Dc5p80

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 16, 2025

“From what I understand, the three teams on Durant’s list — Miami, San Antonio and Houston — have not made offers that have gotten Phoenix excited, to this point — ‘to this point’ is very important. Minnesota was aggressive at midseason and Minnesota, from what I understand, has been the most aggressive team in these trade talks.

I do think Toronto is lurking out there. Toronto is making the No. 9 pick in this draft, in addition to some players, available in multiple difference scenarios. And, I think the LA Clippers are lurking out there, as well. But I would say right now, if I had to pick a favorite, I definitely think Minnesota is the team that’s been most aggressive.”

Brian Windhorst – Get Up (ESPN)

You can’t help but think that a multi-year extension would seal this deal for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Knowing how badly they want Durant, and how much they are obviously willing to offer Phoenix to get him here, it’s difficult to imagine why they are not willing to sign him long-term.

Related: Kevin Durant Trade Expected to Happen Sooner Than Later

In fact, wouldn’t they want to extend him shortly after executing the trade, in order to bring his $50+ million cap hit down to a more manageable number? My guess, is we will soon find out more about why the Wolves do not want to extend Kevin Durant, if they trade for him… or if that is actually the real reason he doesn’t want to come here.