Spurs leap to top of Kevin Durant’s wish list in stunning trade twist

Kevin Durant wants to play for the Spurs. Point blank, period. The Athletic's Sam Amick and Jon Krawczynski just dropped the latest deets (paid) in the KD trade saga that's engulfed the league almost as much, if not more so, than the NBA Finals have. According to the insiders, a clear number one preferred landing spot has been revealed.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been aggressive in their pursuit of Durant. They've apparently made four-time Defensive Player of the Year and/or Julius Randle available in a potential deal. Phoenix is said to desire players who can help them win now. That makes Minny's package a favorable one.

This article basically tells us that a deal for the Slim Reaper would already be done if it weren't for one reason. KD doesn't want to be there, and the Timberwolves' front office doesn't want to do a major deal for a guy who doesn't want to be there. The other thing that's clear is that Durant could easily be a member of the Silver and Black if San Antonio really wanted to commit.

The Spurs has never had so many choices

San Antonio has gone from a city that struggles to attract stars to one that turns them away. Potentially.

The Spurs have made an offer to Phoenix, but the Suns weren't moved by their offer. "To this point, league and teams sources said, the Spurs, Rockets, and Heat have not come forward with offers for Durant compelling enough to get the Suns to bite," the Athletic article reads.

It's why they're so focused on Minnesota. The Timberwolves are desperate to win a championship, and they're willing to make radical changes to do so. They did it when they traded away Karl Anthony-Towns despite making the conference finals last year, and now they're trying to do it again after reaching the same point and failing again this postseason.

The Suns are hoping Durant changes his mind, but I doubt that will happen. Besides the obvious benefits of playing in San Antonio over Minnesota, such as weather, food, and a lack of state income tax, there are legitimate basketball reasons to consider as well.

The Timberwolves don't have a real point guard. They've tried to use Anthony Edwards as a primary playmaker, but that takes away from his game. Mike Conley is too old to give them what they need, and Rob Dillingham isn't ready for the job. Trading Rudy would also mean they lose their shot blocker.

This roster needs more scoring, but adding KD would compromise it in other places without necessarily addressing the thing they need most.

The Spurs have a shot-blocking center in Victor Wembanyama and a veteran point guard in De'Aaron Fox. As far as roster construction goes, the pieces fit together better in San Antonio. The thing the Silver and Black need more than anything is a shooter who can reliably space the floor, and Durantula fits that mold better than anyone.

If the Phoenix Suns aren't stubborn, it could just be a matter of time before KD joins Wembanyama in San Antonio. It would be the second time in less than a year that they added a special talent to the roster by doing nothing other than existing with an alien on the team. What a time to be a Spurs fan.