Kevin Durant to Timberwolves Trade: Full Story 2026

Kevin Durant, 37, is being heavily linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves in multiple trade proposals this offseason after a turbulent 2025-26 season with the Houston Rockets ended in a first-round playoff loss. The Wolves have been pursuing Durant since 2025, when they believed they had a deal in place before he vetoed it. Houston has not officially made Durant available, but the internal dysfunction around him has made a second consecutive trade a realistic possibility.

Last summer, Tim Connelly put together a serious package for Durant: Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, Terrence Shannon Jr., and the 17th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Reports said the Wolves were convinced they were hours from getting it done. Then Durant said no. Darren Wolfson of KSTP reported Durant vetoed the trade with reservations about head coach Chris Finch. Durant ended up in Houston, signing a two-year, $90 million extension with a 2027-28 player option.

When the Wolves were trying to pull off the Durant deal, Anthony Edwards could have picked up the phone and personally recruited his self-described favourite player. He did not. Edwards stayed uninvolved, telling Durant to 'do what you do.' A 22-year-old superstar personally asking his idol to come play alongside him is a very different conversation than a front office running through contract figures. That dynamic has shifted now after Durant watched Houston fall apart.

On paper, Durant delivered. He appeared in 78 games, his most since 2013-14, averaging 26.0 points and leading Houston in scoring, minutes, FG%, 3P% and true shooting. Off the court, things got messy. In February 2026 an X account widely believed to be Durant's surfaced criticising teammates Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun. The Athletic called it a significant distraction that was never truly resolved internally. Durant did not deny the account. The Rockets then lost to the Lakers in the first round with Durant missing five of six games to knee and ankle injuries.

Edwards is 24 and one of the most exciting players in the NBA. What he does not have is a reliable second scorer who takes pressure off him in the playoffs. The Wolves' loss to the Spurs in six games exposed the same offensive limitations that have haunted them for three years. They defend with anyone. They struggle to manufacture buckets when defences key on Edwards. Durant solves that overnight.

The simplest version, circulated by Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, sends Julius Randle, the No. 28 pick in the 2026 draft, and a sweetener like Terrence Shannon Jr. or Joan Beringer to Houston for Durant. A more elaborate four-team construction adds Dallas and Chicago: the Wolves get Durant, the Mavericks get DiVincenzo, Leonard Miller, a sign-and-traded Anfernee Simons and two firsts, and the Bulls get Randle and Fred VanVleet. Durant is making over $54 million, so the salary math almost requires multiple teams.

Kevin Durant to Minnesota has been a storyline for two years. Last summer, the Wolves thought they had it. Durant said no. He went to Houston, and Houston turned into exactly the kind of situation you would want to leave. Now the offseason is here again. The Wolves are going to make the call. The only question is whether Durant picks up.