RealGM Basketball Wiretap

15 June 2025

• Wolves Not Including Jaden McDaniels In Kevin Durant Trade Talks

  The Phoenix Suns are moving forward with trade discussions for forward Kevin Durant. Several teams are involved, with Durant having given Phoenix preferred teams that include the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat.

  The Minnesota Timberwolves have engaged in talks for Durant, but have held back on offering forward Jaden McDaniels. That means either Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle would need to be involved in the deal for salary-matching reasons. In that case, Donte DiVincenzo, or a package of the Wolves young players would need to be added into the deal.

  Including Randle in a trade is complicated, because he has a $30.9 player option for next season. In order to trade the veteran forward at that figure, Minnesota would need him to pick up his option prior to a deal. As a free agent, working out a sign-and-trade for Randle in a Durant deal could be complicated, as the Suns are an apron team and unable to acquire a player via sign-and-trade.

• Suns Accelerate Kevin Durant Trade Talks With Rockets, Heat, Wolves Most Engaged

  The Phoenix Suns are intensifying Kevin Durant trade discussions with a deal expected before the NBA Draft. Three franchises have emerged as the primary contenders: the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

  According to Shams Charania, the Suns have received interest from six to eight teams but have focused recent conversations on the three frontrunners. Serious negotiations have developed over the past 48 hours with multiple offers on the table.

  Durant's contract situation adds complexity to potential deals. The superstar is entering the final year of his current deal, earning $54.7 million in 2025-26 before becoming a free agent.

  Durant's expiring contract opens possibilities for both contending teams seeking a championship rental and franchises willing to offer long-term extensions. This dynamic mirrors the Toronto Raptors' successful 2018-19 gamble on Kawhi Leonard, which resulted in an NBA championship.

  Teams pursuing Durant must weigh the risk of a one-year commitment against the potential reward of adding a generational talent. His unrestricted free agency status in 2026-27 could attract unexpected suitors willing to make short-term moves.

  "There is some serious traction on conversations, on trade scenarios," Charania said on the Pat McAfee Show. "They've had about six to eight teams reach out. There's been interest. There's been some offers. There's been some negotiation."

  The Suns appear motivated to complete a trade quickly, potentially before the NBA draft on Wednesday, June 25.

  "But really in the last 24 to 48 hours, I'm told, the focus of the Suns' conversations has been on a few of the teams," Charania added. "The Houston Rockets, the Miami Heat, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Those are the three teams right now where a lot of the focus lies."

• Kevin Durant Meets With Suns To Consider Trade Options

  The Phoenix Suns have met with Kevin Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, multiple times over the past week as they work through various trade scenarios. The parties are expected to work together on finding his next

  The Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks are amongst the teams who have made inquiries on Durant. Several wild card suitors have also emerged over the past week. Talks are expected to escalate leading to the draft.

  Durant is on a contract worth $54.7 million for the 2025-26 season. Durant's desire for an extension as part of a deal could be a critical component of the trade. Durant will be eligible to sign a two-year contract extension on July 6 worth as much as $112 million, or he could sign a two-year extension worth up to $124 million if he waits six months.

  The Golden State Warriors nearly traded for Durant before he expressed his desire to finish the season with the Suns.

• Knicks Denied Permission To Interview Chris Finch, Ime Udoka

  The New York Knicks have been denied permission to interview Chris Finch and Ime Udoka. The Knicks formally requested interviews for both head coaches. Finch will remain entrenched with the Minnesota Timberwolves, while Ian Begley first reports that Udoka will remain with the Houston Rockets as has been widely expected.

  The Knicks could request permission for other head coaches currently employed by other teams. The Knicks have been strongly linked with Jason Kidd, but have yet to request permission from the Dallas Mavericks.

  New York is searching for a new head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau shortly after the Eastern Conference Finals.

  Finch was hired by the Wolves in 2021 and have reached the Western Conference Finals in two straight seasons. Finch previously coached Karl-Anthony Towns with the Wolves.

  Udoka was hired by the Rockets in 2023 following his suspension by the Boston Celtics. Udoka led the Celtics to the Finals in 2022, which was his lone season as head coach of the franchise.

• Knicks Interested In Chris Finch

  Chris Finch is a candidate of interest for the New York Knicks' head coaching vacancy. Gersson Rosas, who now works for the Knicks, hired Finch as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2021. The Knicks presumably would have to send some sort of compensation to the Wolves to let Finch out of his contract.

  Finch signed a four-year extension with the Wolves in June 2024 following their appearance in the Western Conference Finals. Karl-Anthony Towns played for Finch during their time together with the Wolves.

  New York is searching for a new head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau despite their appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals.

• Wolves Open To Roster Shakeup Despite Continuity Preference

  Tim Connelly expressed willingness for the Minnesota Timberwolves to make significant roster changes while emphasizing his preference for team continuity. The executive detailed the organization's approach to navigating luxury tax restrictions and potential moves ahead.

  Connelly has had a shift in philosophy since joining Minnesota compared to his tenure with the Denver Nuggets. His Nuggets' teams emphasized draft-based development around core players like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The Timberwolves have pursued blockbuster trades including deals for Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle.

  "Given my druthers, I'm always kind of airing on the side of continuity," Connelly said. "Patience in professional sports is largely nonexistent. Those organizations that can show patience tend to have a really high level of success. But patience shouldn't lead to risk aversion."

  The franchise remains prepared to maintain its current core if major moves prove too costly. Connelly emphasized Minnesota won't execute trades simply for change's sake. The trade of Karl-Anthony Towns only materialized when New York made Donte DiVincenzo available.

  "There's something that if we have to shake it up and make us a better team, we're certainly open to that... It took us a while to get acclimated [after the Towns trade] and we look forward to returning the core next year and hopefully go a bit further," Connelly said.

  The Wolves have been linked with a trade for Kevin Durant at the deadline, something that could be possibly revisited this offseason as remains on the block.

  Minnesota operated above the second apron luxury tax threshold this season. The designation created significant roster-building restrictions including trade aggregation limitations and frozen draft pick usage.

  "You can dip your toe in, but you don't want to be there too consistently because it just gets so punitive," Connelly explained. "It's not just super expensive."

  The organization aims to retain key free agents Randle, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker despite financial constraints. Connelly expressed optimism about re-signing targets given their contentment with the franchise.

  "What's neat is the players are all very happy here," Connelly said. "They love the coaching staff, they love the teammates, they love the community."

• Tim Connelly Expects To Remain With Wolves Long-Term

  Tim Connelly expects to remain as president of basketball operations of the Minnesota Timberwolves for the long-term now that Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez will take over as controlling owners in the upcoming weeks. Connelly moved an opt out in his contract from the 2024 offseason to this one as Lore and Rodriguez battled for control with Glen Taylor.

  "Super happy here," Connelly said. "It's been great, not just as working with the team, but this whole community really feels like home. I think you guys are stuck with me."

  The Wolves hired Connelly away from the Denver Nuggets during the 2022 offseason, shortly before the team traded for Rudy Gobert. Minnesota has reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the past two seasons.

  Connelly was hired by the Nuggets to replace Masai Ujiri in 2013 after serving as assistant general manager of the then-New Orleans Hornets.

• Timberwolves Contacted Eastern Conference Team To Help Facilitate Potential Kevin Durant Trade

  The Minnesota Timberwolves contacted at least one Eastern Conference team about helping to facilitate a deal between them and the Phoenix Suns involving Kevin Durant, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  It was reported earlier this week that the Wolves' interest in trading for Durant at the deadline was more serious than previously assumed.

  It remains uncertain whether the Wolves would revisit a Durant trade this summer, though discussions may not happen until Giannis Antetokounmpo's situation is resolved.

  Nickeil Alexander-Walker is set to be an unrestricted free agent and could draw interest from the Magic.

  Naz Reid and Julius Randle both hold player options, with Reid expected to decline his and become a free agent.

  With Tim Connelly expected to discuss a new deal, the team is expected to remain aggressive in building around Anthony Edwards.

• Naz Reid Expected To Decline $15M Player Option

  Naz Reid is expected to decline his player option worth $15 million and become a free agent, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  Reid averaged 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds this season.

  Wolves' teammate Julius Randle also has a player option heading into the summer, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be a free agent.

  The Wolves plan to be aggressive in upgrading its roster over this offseason.

  The team was previously linked with a move for Kevin Durant at the deadline.

• Magic Potentially Interested In Nickeil Alexander-Walker

  Nickeil Alexander-Walker is expected to generate the most external interest among Minnesota Timberwolves players who could hit free agency this summer, a group that includes Julius Randle and Naz Reid.

  Alexander-Walker is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

  The Magic have registered interest in adding Alexander-Walker, according to Marc Stein.

  The Wolves are looking to keep its roster largely the same for next season.