It’s been established that the Minnesota Timberwolves had interest in Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant. Chris Haynes reported that the Timberwolves tried to get him in a “last-ditch effort” but couldn’t get a deal done.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto added more details on the Durant trade discussions. Among them was that Anthony Edwards was understandably not discussed, but the Timberwolves refused to include another player in trade talks.
“The Timberwolves aggressively pursued Durant in trade talks before the deadline and are expected to circle the wagon again this summer, but were unwilling to part with star guard Anthony Edwards and versatile forward Jaden McDaniels in discussions, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.
The Timberwolves clearly value their wing versatility, though it’s hard to see how they could complete a deal without using a contract like McDaniels’s. He is in the first year of a five-year, $131 million contract, while Durant is in the third year of a four-year, $194 million contract. McDaniels’ deal would greatly help match Durant’s salary in a swap.
The other obstacle is that the Timberwolves are above the NBA’s second tax apron, which means they can’t aggregate contracts in a deal unless the trade brings them below it. The Suns are also above the second tax apron, and if trading Durant is in their plans, their goal might be to get below it, too.
McDaniels’ inclusion might be the one caveat if these two revisit trade talks this offseason. Minnesota is clearly serious about winning a title. Durant gets them closer to that goal, but reaching it requires giving up valuable assets. Parting with McDaniels would be tough, but it might be worth it.
MORE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES NEWS
Nuggets predicted to acquire $46 million Timberwolves NBA champion in major offseason deal
Timberwolves already predicted to move on from Rob Dillingham in major move for $194 million superstar
