Durant designated the Spurs as their first choice! The battle for 5 teams begins, and long contracts become the key to the transaction

NBA offseason news has exploded again! According to authoritative journalist Shams Charania, the Suns and Kevin Durant's agent Ritchie Kleiman has begun to screen out potential traders. A battle surrounding the superstar quietly began, with the Spurs, Rockets, Timberwolves, Heat and Knicks becoming Durant's main suitors.

Spurs lead, does Durant have a heart?

What is more worthy of attention is that Hoops Wire reporter Sam Amico previously quoted league sources and revealed that Durant himself has listed the San Antonio Spurs as his favorite destination. This news undoubtedly gave a shock to the trading market. The Spurs have superstars like No. 1 pick Xiuwen Ban Yama. If Durant joins, it will not only provide top-level combat power, but also become an excellent mentor for young core growth.

Long-term contracts become the "golden key" for transactions

Shams highlighted in the report that whether Durant can obtain a long-term contract will be a key factor in whether any potential transactions can be finally implemented. The superstar is about to turn 37 in September, with only the last year left in the current contract, and his salary is as high as $54.7 million in the 2024-25 season. For Durant, seeking a guaranteed long-term contract in his late career is an extremely realistic demand. For any team to receive a senior star, giving a long contract will inevitably be accompanied by huge risks. The years and amount of this contract will become the most core game point on the negotiating table.

Older and stronger, the top scoring efficiency is still

Despite getting older, Durant's performance in the Suns last season still proves that he is among the top scorers in the league. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, shooting as high as 52.7%, shooting from the three-point range of an astonishing 43.0%, and shooting from free throws of 83.9%. This efficiency order close to the "180 Club" is enough to covet any team that competes for the championship or is eager to break through. Durant announced on-field performance: there is still plenty of fuel in the fuel tank.

Multi-team game, the Suns are cautious in weighing the trade-offs

At present, the Suns are facing a difficult choice. Sending Durant away means a complete reconstruction, but the quality of future assets that are exchanged is crucial. The five intention teams have different situations: the Spurs have unlimited potential but take time to grow; the Rockets are also young and full of talent; the Timberwolves have just experienced a breakthrough season; the Heat have a tough culture and always long for stars; and the Knicks have a big market and rich trading resources. The chips each team can provide and the willingness to meet Durant's long-term contract needs will determine the final direction of this battle.