© getty
NBA Rumor: Dallas Mavericks interested in Kevin Durant
With their trade on Wednesday night, the Houston Rockets showed obvious interest in a trade for Kevin Durant, but they are apparently not the only team interested in the Phoenix Suns superstar. According to Brandon Robinson, the Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls are also in the game with a “certain level of interest.”
A few hours after the Rockets trade, Suns owner Mat Ishbia himself spoke out: “Phoenix loves Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant loves Phoenix, we will play for the championship this year because we have the team for it.”
If a bidding war does occur, the Mavericks would likely have a tough time against Houston or Chicago. Dallas only has two first-round picks available until 2031. To outbid their competitors, they would probably have to part ways with Dereck Lively II after his outstanding rookie season. That seems unlikely.
According to Brian Windhorst (ESPN), the Rockets are considering paying an even higher price. Houston could therefore get Alperen Sengün in a trade for Durant, the 21-year-old made a huge step in his third season and played almost at All-Star level with 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists at 53.7 percent from the field in 63 games.
Sengün is entering the final season of his rookie contract and will likely be given an expensive contract extension in the near future. Durant is still under contract for two years, during which he will earn $51 and $54 million. The 35-year-old was traded from Brooklyn to Phoenix in February 2023 for five first-round picks and Mikal Bridges.
2024-06-26 15:52:00
#NBA #News #Rumors #Dallas #Mavericks #face #bidding #war #Kevin #Durant
