Kevin Durant Next Team Odds: Where Will KD Play Next?

The Golden State Warriors may have captured the NBA title, but the entire basketball world is rightfully fixated on former Warrior Kevin Durant

Nearly one year after inking a four-year, $194 million extension, Durant has reportedly asked the Brooklyn Nets for a trade. KD’s request comes shortly after Brooklyn’s first-round exit to the Boston Celtics and the ensuing trade drama surrounding teammate Kyrie Irving.

While 29 other teams would love the idea of a 12-time All-Star suiting up for them in the fall, not every team has the pieces necessary to convince Brooklyn to pull the trigger. With that said, here are the teams with the best odds of becoming KD’s next home.

Brooklyn Nets (+100)

It’s not the most exciting option by any means. But according to the latest odds, Durant has a higher likelihood of staying with the Nets than he does going to another team.

Although Brooklyn is willing to trade Durant, the team is reportedly asking for a massive, franchise-defining return. Even for a player as good as Durant, not many teams want to trade a plethora of young talent and picks for a soon-to-be 34-year-old just three years removed from an Achilles tear.

There’s also the possibility that the Nets convince Durant that his best bet is staying. If he stays, there’s a higher probability Kyrie stays too. Those two with Ben Simmons, Joe Harris, Seth Curry, T.J. Warren, and more can still be a title threat if healthy.

Two weeks ago, it seemed impossible for the Nets to keep KD. Now, it’s a coin flip on whether he’s traded.

Phoenix Suns (+150)

Since word leaked that Durant wanted out, the first team to everyone’s minds was the Suns. And if he does move on from Brooklyn, they remain the likeliest option.

Durant “has his heart set on Phoenix” according to the latest reports, and for good reason. Despite a second-round exit, the Suns finished with a league-best 64-18 record. Adding Durant to a team with All-Stars Devin Booker and Chris Paul would give the Warriors and every other team a serious run for the title.

Adding Durant without parting with Booker will likely require a third team like the Indiana Pacers to join the mix. With Indiana reportedly willing to offer restricted free agent Deandre Ayton a hefty contract, the Suns could acquire Durant, flip Ayton to Indiana, and send Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and a collection of first-round picks to Brooklyn. The Nets could also receive Myles Turner and another piece or two from the Pacers.

The Nets are under no obligation to trade Durant to any team besides the one offering up the best package. But that team could still be Phoenix, which would certainly please the former MVP.

Toronto Raptors (+300)

In the summer of 2018, the Raptors shocked the NBA world when they acquired the disgruntled Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs. The move paid massive dividends, as Kawhi led Toronto to its first title a year later. Could the Raptors be planning the sequel in 2022?

Following a down year, the Raptors finished as the five-seed in the East, four games ahead of Durant’s Nets. A big reason why is their impressive collection of young talent led by Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes. While Barnes is a huge part of their future, he’s also their greatest trade chip.

The 20-year-old Barnes could be the best player Brooklyn receives for Durant when you factor age and potential. However, the Raptors could be hesitant to trade him along with more players and picks. Instead, Toronto may want to dangle Pascal Siakam, an All-Star caliber forward who’s 28 years old and is under contract for two more years at $72 million.

Toronto has Barnes, Siakam, Gary Trent Jr., OG Anunoby, Thaddeus Young, and Precious Achiuwa to entice Brooklyn (assuming Fred VanVleet is off the table). It’s just a question of how much the Raptors want Durant without selling the farm for him.

Miami Heat (+1000)

If a trade to Phoenix doesn’t materialize, Durant’s second-best option is a team that came within one win of an NBA Finals appearance.

The Heat are a fascinating team. Miami earned the top seed in the East thanks to a combination of veterans like Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry as well as younger players like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Beyond them, the Heat have incredible depth featuring the likes of Max Strus, Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin, and Victor Oladipo.

Miami would also certainly offer a package built around Tyler Herro, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. However, the Nets are reportedly insisting for Bam Adebayo in any return. It’s also worth mentioning that Brooklyn can’t have Adebayo and Simmons on the roster together due to an NBA rule forbidding teams from having two designated rookies.

Unless the Heat can add a third team to help keep Adebayo in town while still adding Durant, their chances aren’t as strong as they were a week ago.

New Orleans Pelicans (+1200)

Of all of the “favorites” to land Durant, the Pelicans stick out like a sore thumb. But it’s unwise to rule out New Orleans so hastily.

The Pelicans have an intriguing core comprised of Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Zion Williamson, the latter of whom missed the entire 2021-22 season. With Durant joining Zion and either Ingram or McCollum, New Orleans has a chance to shoot up the standings.

There’s a good chance the Nets would want Ingram, a former All-Star who’s still just 24 years old, in any Durant deal. That might be a deal-breaker for New Orleans, especially since it would also part with any combo of Jaxson Hayes, Herbert Jones, and rookie Dyson Daniels.

If New Orleans gets the sense that Williamson will want to stay if Durant is in town, it may be more obligated to strike a deal. However, giving up Ingram might be too much to stomach.

Other Possibilities

Golden State Warriors (+2000)

Boston Celtics (+3000)

Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers (+6000)