Toronto Raptors a potential suitor in Kevin Durant trade, per report
The Toronto Raptors could emerge as a suitor in a trade for Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, NBA insider Marc Stein reported Friday.
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The Toronto Raptors could emerge as a suitor in a trade for Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, NBA insider Marc Stein reported Friday.
According to Stein, teams around the league have characterized the 36-year-old’s departure in the coming weeks as an “inevitability.”
Toronto will likely prioritize negotiations with the Milwaukee Bucks should Giannis Antetokounmpo become available, Stein said. However, Antetokounmpo would cost more in a trade given he’s six years younger and has two years remaining on his contract compared to Durant’s one.
The insider added the Raptors are likely feeling some pressure to be more competitive in a lesser Eastern Conference this season, especially given their splash addition of Brandon Ingram at the trade deadline.
What would a Raptors package for Kevin Durant look like?
Durant’s hefty salary of $54.7 million requires roughly the same amount to come back in any potential deal.
Toronto, which holds the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, can nearly get there by putting R.J. Barrett with Jakob Poeltl to get to $47.2 million. Young wing Ochai Agbaji could be the finishing touch with his $6.4 million.
Barrett had been included in trade talks with the New Orleans Pelicans before the Ingram deal materialized differently, according to Stein.
Durant’s desire to play in Toronto would have to be factored in, as Phoenix is expected to work with his camp to find a suitable landing spot. But there’s a recent key example of the Raptors not minding a one-year rental with dealing for Kawhi Leonard, Stein noted.
Durant averaged 26.6 points on 52.7% shooting (43% from 3) with six rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in his 17th season. He missed the 2024-25 All-Star Game, marking his first time absent from the showcase since his second NBA season (2008-09).
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Comments
23 Comments
The Suns aren’t going to get back what they gave up for Kevin Durant now that he’s three years older since they acquired him. He’s going to be 37-years old by the time training camp starts.
If he’s okay with playing in Toronto, Barrett and Poeltl (plus the #9 pick and Agbaji) would actually be a pretty good return for KD. Barrett is a better scorer than you realize and he averaged 21 PPG last season. That’s more than what Mikal and Cam J gave their respective teams last season. The Suns could also use a Center like Poeltl who does a lot of dirty work in the post.
Agree. I can't imagine that Toronto would give that much away for Durant. Barret, a #9 pick and a decent center? May be about as good as the Suns can do.
What makes anyone think that KD wants to play in Canada?