Report: Timberwolves Were ‘Serious’ About Trading For Kevin Durant

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Minnesota Timberwolves were “serious” about trading for Kevin Durant. 

The Timberwolves wanted to pair Durant with Anthony Edwards. The two NBA stars are close friends. 

“Minnesota’s own approach for Durant was serious enough, sources say, that the Timberwolves were calling rival teams over the final few days before the Feb. 6 deadline buzzer sounded,” Fischer wrote. “The Wolves were working the phones in hopes of finding avenues to get under the NBA’s second luxury tax apron and then be able to aggregate contracts, all with the intent of landing Durant and his $51 million salary this season next to his Olympic running mate Edwards.”

The Phoenix Suns didn’t trade Durant at the NBA trade deadline. Durant is making $51.2 million this season. He’ll make $54.7 million next season in the final year of his contract. 

The Golden State Warriors had a deal to acquire Durant from the Suns, but Durant made it known behind the scenes he didn’t want to play for Golden State again. 

During an interview with NBA reporter Malika Andrews of ESPN, Durant revealed why he blocked a trade back to the Warriors. 

“I just didn’t wanna get traded midway through the season,” Durant said. “It was nothing against my time with the Warriors. Or I heard it was because I don’t like Draymond (Green). At the end of the day, I just didn’t wanna move and I wanted to see it through with my team in Phoenix and see what we can do through the rest of the season. So I’m glad I’m still there.”

Durant played for the Warriors from 2016-17 to 2018-19. He led Golden State to two straight championships in 2017 and 2018, winning both Finals MVPs. 

In Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, Durant tore his Achilles. The Warriors lost to the Raptors in six games and Durant signed with the Brooklyn Nets in the offseason. 

Durant is a four-time scoring champion, a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP and a one-time regular-season MVP.

The future Hall of Famer has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Warriors, Nets and Suns.