ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that the San Antonio Spurs are among the teams with “mutual interest” in Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant.
“Back at the NBA trade deadline, there was a list of teams that there was mutual interest with Kevin Durant,” Charania was discussing on “The Pat MacAfee Show” on Wednesday, March 3. “Those teams, from what I understand, are Minnesota, New York, Houston, San Antonio, and Miami.”
“Those are the types of teams that, from what I understand, had interest at the time, and I expect them all to be involved this summer. But the most important thing to watch for all NBA fans and fans of those teams is how their team performs in the playoffs.
Because it will determine who believes they are a Kevin Durant away.”
Durant turned down a midseason reunion with the Golden State Warriors, where he won two NBA championships and Finals MVP honors, to finish the season in Phoenix. But the Suns’ season took a turn for the worst. They are 1.5 games out of the play-in tournament, having the most difficult schedule remaining.
Durant and the Suns are set to split this summer.
Spurs’ new Big Three?
The Spurs’ timeframe was expedited by the midseason trade for De’Aaron Fox, Victor Wembanyama’s running companion.
However, injuries to both studs prematurely ruined the Spurs’ playoff hopes this season.
Wembanyama was ruled out for the rest of the season when a blood clot was discovered in his right shoulder in mid-February. However, the Spurs are confident about his long-term health and expect him to return to play next season, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
In contrast, Fox had surgery in March to repair an extensor tendon in his left fifth finger.
Spurs’ new big three?
The Spurs’ timetable was accelerated by the midseason trade for De’Aaron Fox, Victor Wembanyama’s running partner.
However, injuries to both stars prematurely ended the Spurs’ playoff chances this season.
Wembanyama was sidelined for the remainder of the season after a blood clot was discovered in his right shoulder in mid-February. However, the Spurs are optimistic about his long-term health and expect him to return next season, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
In contrast, Fox underwent surgery in March to repair an extensor tendon in his left fifth finger.
Suns to overhaul roster
The Suns began their arduous three-game road trip with a 133-123 loss to the Damian Lillard-less Milwaukee Bucks, without Durant, who stayed in Phoenix to rehab his sprained left ankle.
According to Tankathon, they are 1.5 games out of the play-in tournament and have the most difficult remaining schedule, meaning they are unlikely to make the postseason.
“So you look at this from a macro perspective,” Charania told viewers of “The Pat McAfee Show.” Mat Ishbia has proven to be aggressive over the last two and a half years. He is not spared any expense. He obviously demonstrates that, as an NBA owner, he is willing to take many swings. He intends to take millions of bat swings in an attempt to win a title.”
The Suns entered the season with high hopes for Year 2 of the Durant-Booker-Bradley Beal Big 3 experiment. With less than two weeks left in the regular season, they resemble a lottery team, with the exception that their first-round choice in this year’s draft will go to the second-place Rockets.
“From a wholistic perspective, there’s going to be changes coming to Phoenix, barring a miracle finish to the year,” says Charania. “There will be a lot of that. They’ll have to look at and analyze across the company from a roster standpoint. That will begin with Kevin Durant, maybe finding him a new home.
Unlike at the trade deadline, when he was nearly sold to the Warriors, the Suns and Kevin Durant would collaborate on any deal.”
It would be a full circle moment if Durant joined the Spurs and returned to Texas, where he attended college.
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