The Minnesota Timberwolves had stronger interest in acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns at the trade deadline than previously assumed. The cap machinations required to consummate a trade were extremely challenging as two second apron teams, but the impending free agencies of Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker could change the equation.
“It became clear to me in talking to the parties involved just how serious the Wolves were about trying to trade for Kevin Durant at the trade deadline,” said Brian Windhorst on Friday’s Hoop Collective Podcast.
“At the time, the Wolves were not playing their best basketball. They subsequently finished the season, I think, 18-5 and got to the Western Conference Finals. So I don’t want to make it implied that their mindset is still where it was in February.”
“Also, it would have been an extraordinary series of deals to be able to [make the trade],” interjected Tim MacMahon.
“Which is why they didn’t do it. But the point is this wasn’t just we’re not doing anything on trade deadline day. They made some sort of progress. Getting it done was impossible. They were two second apron teams. But after these guys opt out, they won’t be a second apron team.
“I’m not arguing that Durant is going to end up in Minnesota… If you look at Tim Connelly, he made the big [Rudy] Gobert trade. He made the big trade of KAT for Julius Randle and DiVincenzo.”
The Wolves certainly hope to keep some combination of Randle, Reid and Alexander-Walker could be retained, but there is also a path of revisiting a trade for Durant this offseason.