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Par Mathieu Seguin | Rédacteur sport
What if the Kevin Durant saga took an unexpected turn? Long seen as the one calling the shots in trade talks, the All-Star veteran is slowly losing his leverage. Behind the scenes, signs are emerging: some franchises no longer intend to bend to his conditions.
Kevin Durant had made his intentions clear in recent weeks. Among his preferred destinations, the Spurs stood out. The idea of teaming up with Victor Wembanyama was highly appealing to him, and reliable reports confirmed he was ready to commit long-term if traded there. San Antonio, armed with the No. 2 (and No. 14) picks in the draft, seemed well positioned to strike a deal… but the Texas franchise is not willing to give up everything.
Meanwhile, the power dynamics are shifting. Several teams have decided not to be intimidated by Durant’s preferences. They are reportedly now willing to trade for him without any extension promises — accepting the possibility of having KD for just one year. This bold stance is reshaping the trade landscape and could force Phoenix to rethink its priorities.
Kevin Durant as a one-year rental?
The situation is starting to resemble the Raptors’ gamble on Kawhi Leonard a few years ago — a move that ended with a championship. Some teams may now be hoping for a similar scenario, gambling on Durant and trusting they can convince him to stay. Here’s what one Spurs-connected reporter had to say.
@SpursReporter : “According to league insiders, everyone initially believed Kevin Durant held all the leverage in trade talks. He could dictate where he wanted to go by only agreeing to sign an extension with select teams, forcing others to back off. But that leverage began to slip after some teams entered the mix willing to trade for Durant without any long-term commitment—content to treat him as a one-year rental and try to convince him to stay later.”
Among these new contenders, the Timberwolves are frequently mentioned following their disappointing playoff exit. The franchise is reportedly eager to make a big move to support Anthony Edwards — and Durant would certainly be a massive addition. Rudy Gobert could be included in the deal.
In this shifting landscape, Kevin Durant no longer holds all the cards. If Phoenix receives a compelling offer from a team willing to take the short-term gamble, they may accept it regardless of Durant’s preferences. The power dynamic has changed, and Durant’s fate may no longer be entirely in his hands — unwelcome news for the star forward, who now needs a franchise to bet on him.
