Report: Mavericks’ Trade Interest In Kevin Durant ‘Overstated’

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks’ trade interest in Kevin Durant has been “overstated.”

The Phoenix Suns are expected to trade Durant this offseason. 

“Dallas has been repeatedly described as a potential Durant suitor, before the deadline and since, but I continue to hear that reports of its interest have been overstated,” Stein wrote. “The Mavericks, based on my best read, are not currently planning for a three-star construction. Securing Kyrie Irving‘s future as their backcourt anchor after stunningly surrendering Luka Doncic is a priority — Irving holds a $44 million player option for next season — and it is likewise obvious that Dallas would have to gut its depth to make a competitive trade offer for Durant.”

Durant will make $54.7 million next season in the final year of his contract.

One of the top scorers in NBA history, Durant doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, but he and the Suns are expected to work together on a trade so he can land somewhere he wants to be. 

“The race is on leaguewide to try to properly project whether he’s staying in the desert or likely to be made available to trade suitors after the season in the wake of the Suns’ serious talks with Golden State that forced Durant himself to intervene last month to avoid becoming a Warrior for the second time,” Stein wrote. 

Durant is a four-time scoring champion, a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP and a one-time MVP. The swingman has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Suns.

The San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat will pursue a Durant trade this offseason, an NBA source told Hoops Wire. 

A future Hall of Famer, Durant has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists.