The NBA world continues to speculate about where Kevin Durant will play next season. With the 2024-25 season nearing its end, the Phoenix Suns have been one of the league’s biggest disappointments. As of now, they are on the outside looking in at the Western Conference playoff picture.
Since acquiring Durant and assembling an expensive, star-studded roster around him, the Suns have fallen short of expectations. This experiment isn’t working, and Phoenix is expected to make major changes this offseason—starting with Durant.
Reports dating back to the trade deadline suggested the Dallas Mavericks were among Durant’s potential suitors. However, despite their star power, one NBA insider now says the Mavs may not be as interested as previously believed.
Dallas Mavericks’ Interest in Kevin Durant Trade Is ‘Overstated’
The Mavericks made waves last month by trading their franchise star, Luka Dončić, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. With Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson already in the lineup, Dallas boasts plenty of star power. But like the Suns, they haven’t delivered results—both teams currently sit in the 10th and 11th spots in the Western Conference standings (the Mavericks are ahead by 2.5 games).
The Mavs’ struggles may have fueled speculation about their interest in Durant, but according to senior insider Marc Stein, their pursuit has been exaggerated.
“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. The Mavericks, based on my best read, are not currently planning for a three-star construction.”
REPORT: The Dallas Mavericks being known as a potential suitor for Kevin Durant has been “overstated”, per @TheSteinLine.
“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… pic.twitter.com/Ibwi4joHLN
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) March 10, 2025
Even if Dallas were interested, adding Durant wouldn’t solve their biggest issue—depth. The Mavs had just seven healthy players for their March 9 game against the Suns, with seven players out indefinitely, including Davis, Irving (who will miss the rest of the season), and centers Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.
While Phoenix hasn’t been hit as hard by injuries, its playoff outlook is even bleaker. The Suns started the season strong, with Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal leading them to a 9-2 record. But things unraveled quickly.
Phoenix has since slipped to a 30-25 record, sitting just behind Dallas for the final play-in spot. Now, Durant—the Suns’ strongest trade asset—could be the first to go.
ESPN’s Shams Charania: Durant’s Days in Phoenix Are Numbered
Rumors continue to swirl that the two-time NBA Finals MVP could soon part ways with the Suns. ESPN’s Shams Charania echoed that sentiment on NBA Countdown, stating:
“The stakes are high. Unless there’s a significant run into the playoffs for the Phoenix Suns, league sources believe that there will be real changes coming. From a roster standpoint, that likely starts with Kevin Durant.”
Durant is under contract through the 2025-26 season and is eligible for an extension. He can sign a two-year deal worth approximately $120 million, keeping him under contract through 2027-28.
But the odds of that happening seem slim. At this point, all signs point to Durant wearing a different jersey in the near future.