Kevin Durant's stint with the Phoenix Suns is seemingly at its fag end. The star forward could exit the franchise as early as during the offseason. While Durant, 36, is in the twilight phase of his career but the player still carries a distinct skillset for which many franchises would still be willing to break their banks and acquire his services. One of the sides to which he has been heavily linked is the Dallas Mavericks.
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Kevin Durant to Dallas Mavericks: Overstated
The Dallas Mavericks took the leap of faith by trading star player Luka Doncic during the trade deadline of February, and ever since then they have been struck by ill fate. Mavs have suffered countless injuries and are looking for answers as two of its main men- Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving- are out nursing their respective injuries. Thus, the arrival of KD could bring a quick solution and hence the speculations of trade stemmed.
However, in a major revelation, an NBA insider has claimed that Dallas are currently not seeking the services of Kevin Durant.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks trade interest in Kevin Durant has been “overstated.”
“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.”
Kevin Durant, one of the NBA's all-time top scorers, is set to earn $54.7 million in the final year of his contract. Although his deal doesn't include a no-trade clause, Durant and the Suns are likely to collaborate on a trade that allows him to join a team of his choice.
“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.