NBA Insider Reveals Realistic Kevin Durant Trade Scenario for Timberwolves

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Kevin Durant, Minnesota Timberwolves
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The Minnesota Timberwolves once again got within sniffing distance of the NBA Finals this season, but couldn’t seal the deal for the second-straight year. Now, with new ownership expected to take over by the end of this month and confirmation in hand from president of basketball operations Tim Connelly that he’s sticking around, attention has shifted to supplementing the roster for 2025-26.

And since the moment that their latest playoff run came to an abrupt halt, the Wolves have made their plan A offseason blueprint pretty clear. Connelly and his front office have their target set on trading for former MVP and 10x All-NBA selection Kevin Durant.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant playing together on Team USA at the Olympics.
Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images

Minnesota has been interested in Durant going back months, and reportedly got very close to completing a deal right before the NBA Trade Deadline. The moment their season ended, they were back on the KD trail.

And since the Timberwolves + Kevin Durant steam heated back up this week, there are a lot of people in the basketball world who think the Wolves will be the team to bring the KD trade drama in Phoenix to an end.

Bobby Marks lays out Kevin Durant trade blueprint for Minnesota Timberwolves

One of those experts is former NBA GM – turned ESPN insider and cap guru, Bobby Marks, who concocted a beautiful trade scenario for Durant that aired on SportsCenter Friday morning.

The best part: It doesn’t include Jaden McDaniels — who has reportedly been off the table during these discussions — or rookies Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr. Instead, Marks has the Minnesota Timberwolves giving up only Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo and Mike Conley, three of their worst playoff performers in 2025.

“I look at it as when you have ‘win now’ players and players like Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, and certainly Donte DiVincenzo. Then you have that draft pick that we talked about, the 17th pick in the draft. That’s the only pick they’re allowed to trade. That accomplishes a lot of what Phoenix is looking to do. Remember their owner said, Mat Ishbia, that they don’t want to rebuild. So you get three quality players. You get a first round pick for Kevin Durant. The two names not mentioned is Julius Randle and Naz Reid. Both players have a player option. They are not allowed to be traded as part of this deal.”

Bobby Marks – ESPN

The Minnesota Timberwolves don’t need to trade for Kevin Durant because he’s Anthony Edwards’ favorite player. Though that doesn’t hurt, they should trade for him because his addition could be the key piece that puts them over the top.

If Connelly is able to land Durant for the three players Marks mentions, it’d be a huge win. We all know what Gobert offers defensively, but his impact is forever limited in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Conley is 37 years old and his play fell off a cliff this season.

While DiVincenzo brought a toughness and leadership quality to the Wolves that showed late in the regular season, he completely tanked when they needed him the most, in the playoffs.

Related: Minnesota Timberwolves *Almost* All In on Kevin Durant…

Including the 17th overall pick may be a tough pill for the MN Timberwolves to swallow, but for a return like Durant, it’s one they should stomach — especially when they get to keep both of last year’s first rounders. Let’s be honest, there is nothing certain about the NBA Draft, when picking in the teens.

Is Kevin Durant worth chasing?

We don’t know that the Wolves will rise to the top of Kevin Durant suitors, when this dust finally settles. But one thing is for sure. The KD smoke isn’t clearing out of Target Center any time soon. Not unless a deal gets done.

Kevin Durant isn’t a spring chicken anymore. But at 36 years old, he is still playing at an incredibly high level, averaging 26.6 points per game on 52.7% shooting in 62 games last season. His 43% from deep was his best in a season since 2020-21.

Durant has dealt with a few injuries in recent years. In fact, he’s played 55 games or less in three of the past five seasons. That said, he remained relatively healthy the last couple years, playing 75 games in 2023-24 and 62 games in 2024-25.

Related: Minnesota Timberwolves Among Teams to Deny New York Knicks

Entering the final year of a four-year contract, KD has played for four different teams during his 17-year NBA career, including the Thunder (9), Nets (3), Warriors (3) and Suns (3). Hopefully, the Minnesota Timberwolves are his fifth.

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