NBA rumors: Spurs could make another big splash this summer by trading for superstar

The San Antonio Spurs pulled off one of the biggest trades before the Feb. 6 deadline by acquiring De'Aaron Fox in a three-team deal. The deadline splash pushed the Spurs closer to contention, pairing a star alongside generational talent Victor Wembanyama.

San Antonio's odds of securing a spot in the Play-In Tournament shot up after the trade, but unfortunately, that optimism didn't last long. Wembanyama was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder after the All-Star break and ruled out for the rest of the season. Fox was ruled out for the rest of the season in mid-March due to a finger injury.

The Spurs will be a threat for years with Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, and their promising young players, led by Stephon Castle. The front office still has the assets to make other moves, including a potential Kevin Durant trade. Regardless of how you feel about KD playing in San Antonio, the reality is that the Spurs showed interest in him before the deadline.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Shams Charania said there was mutual interest between Durant and five teams at the deadline. The NBA insider said those teams were the Spurs, Rockets, Timberwolves, Heat, and Knicks. Charania added that he expects those squads to be "in the mix" for KD this offseason.

Spurs showed interest in Kevin Durant trade before deadline

You can't rule out San Antonio from pursuing Durant over the summer. The front office cashed in a few picks for Fox, but still has a chest of picks.

Durant has one full year left on his current contract ($54.7 million) and can control where he's traded because of his looming extension. A team won't push in their chips for him without knowing that KD wants to be there. Why would the Spurs not be on his list of preferred teams? Stars want to play with Wembanyama.

Trading for Durant would be risky for San Antonio because of the assets the team would have to give up. Durant is still playing at a high level, but he'll be 37 at the start of next season. The Spurs' title window with KD would be brief. They have the second-youngest roster in the league (Wemby is only 21), so it's not like San Antonio is in scramble mode to win a championship.

The offseason will give more clarity about which teams will strongly pursue KD. The writing has been on the wall that he'll be traded, especially if Phoenix misses the Play-In Tournament entirely. Durant is currently sidelined with a sprained ankle, which doesn't help the Suns' case, even though he's expected to return this season.

Who knows where Durant will end up? You can't deny his greatness, but the Spurs' timeline could be what keeps them from bringing the superstar to San Antonio. Time will tell.