The latest twist in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes seems to have the Timberwolves on the outside looking in as teams are assembling their best offers to entice the Suns to deal the 36-year-old former MVP.

A future Hall of Famer, Durant has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists with the Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Suns. He won two championships and two Finals MVPs with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, the Timberwolves won’t trade Jaden McDaniels to get Durant.

The Miami Heat are competing with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets as the top teams favored to acquire Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant. Unsurp

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, one that took on a somber tone as athletes and teams grappled with the shooting of two Minnesota state legislators and their spouses.

If a Kevin Durant trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves is to materialize, 24-year-old Jaden McDaniels will not be part of the deal.

Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly taking a firm stance on a key young player in the Kevin Durant trade discussions

Meanwhile, Minnesota adds Durant to Anthony Edwards to form a lethal one-two punch, with a chance to retain upcoming free agents Julius Randle and Naz Reid. The Timberwolves would be top-heavy, especially if Nickeil Alexander-Walker departs in free agency as expected, but it would be quite difficult for anyone to get stops against that offense.

Kevin Durant would have placed the Knicks among his top preferred destinations, but the team didn’t want to trade for him, according to a report from veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein. "New York made it clear that it’s decided against pursuing a trade for” him, Stein reported.

The New York Knicks are passing on pursuing Kevin Durant this offseason. Craig Carton, Danny Parkins, and Mark Schlereth ask if this is a mistake by New York, and if the Minnesota Timberwolves are a better destination.