Familiar rival likely to be involved in Kevin Durant trade talks this offseason

The Phoenix Suns might be going nowhere fast, but at least they don't have to deal with trade rumors for superstar Kevin Durant for another few months. Talk of the 36-year-old leaving The Valley really heated up in the days leading up to the trade deadline, with the Golden State Warriors emerging as the most likely landing spot.

Durant's lack of interest in going back to San Francisco is why any potential deal ultimately fell through, with Jimmy Butler instead heading to the Warriors. He's settled in well there, and on some nights so far has looked like exactly what the Suns have been lacking for much of this season. He plays with intensity, and Stephen Curry looks revitalized playing next to him as well.

Durant had another suitor that could make another play for him.

It was mentioned as more of a surprising afterthought than anything else once Durant ended up staying in Phoenix, but the Minnesota Timberwolves were rumored to be interested in adding the star. The main stumbling block there was the fact that they - much like the Suns - are in the second apron, which makes doing deals of any kind more difficult.

It was never revealed what Durant thought about the proposed interest, although we do know he enjoyed playing next to Anthony Edwards at the Olympic Games in Paris last year. It is well known that Durant is the idol of Edwards too, so you can bet he would love the chance to spend some time with him before Durant decides to call it a day.

But as Jake Fischer of The Stein Line has pointed out, it may be that the Timberwolves go back and try to prise Durant away from Phoenix again this summer. The most ironic part of all of this? Their logic for doing so would be the exact same as why the Suns went and got Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in the first place, even if that hasn't gone to plan.

It was Mat Ishbia who bought the franchise and immediately set about making the kind of splashy move that acquiring Durant was in order to make a statement. The Timberwolves look like they are close to resolving their own ownership issues, and what better way to put all of that behind them than adding a massive name in Durant to pair next to Edwards?

With the Suns at 27-30 - and having appeared to show a willingness to move Durant at the deadline for the right offer this season - this could actually happen. Better yet, it would suit both parties as well. The Suns desperately need to shake up their roster, and they're not going to trade Devin Booker and can't move Bradley Beal.

Ending the Durant era is the only way to get some flexiblity back into their bleak future, although a third team would likely have to be involved to make the money work. Adding to the equation is the fact Durant will also be entering the final year of his current deal next season as well. Perhaps a sign-and-trade could also be the solution then?

No matter what way you look at it though - and with more Timberwolves talk emerging even after the deadline - they are the most likely next destination for Durant right now. That's if he moves at all - and although he truly seems content in The Valley - another mediocre season is not what the front office had in mind. Moving Durant to a rival who swept them in the playoffs though? That would sting.