No extension? Deciphering the latest Kevin Durant-Timberwolves rumors

Is Minnesota's dream of adding the 15-time All-Star over?

May 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Kevin Durant attends the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A plethora of reports came out on Saturday night implying that the Timberwolves could be out of the running for Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant. Could it all be a smoke screen from Durant and his team?

As recently as Saturday afternoon, Minnesota sounded like the favorite to strike a deal for Durant, but only a few hours later, it came out that his preferred landing spots include the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.

According to National NBA Insider Brett Siegel and a few other reports, the Wolves are not interested in giving Durant a long-term extension. To put on our tinfoil hats, could a deal have been close? And Durant is using his leverage to get Minnesota to change its mind on a potential extension? We'll likely never know, but it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly discussed trading for Kevin Durant without signing him to a long-term commitment deal

Likely why Minnesota in no longer a finalist for his next preferred team

(via: @BrettSiegelNBA) pic.twitter.com/XA2dfGWtgA

— Wolves Lead (@TWolvesLead) June 15, 2025

The buzz seemed to be building between Minnesota and Durant throughout the week, and then it all evaporated on Saturday night. There's likely a reason why, and the holdup from the Wolves on a contract extension could be a realistic possibility. Reports have indicated that Durant would like to sign a two-year, $120 million extension this offseason.

Related: Reports: Timberwolves suddenly 'unlikely' to trade for Kevin Durant

Durant is 36 going on 37 years old, and a long-term contract could be a tough spot for whatever franchise he does sign a multi-year deal with. He's making $54.7 million in 2025-26, and Minnesota already has plenty of money committed to Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, a player who's reportedly 'untouchable' in trade discussions.

Will Minnesota budge, and offer Durant a long-term extension? Would he even want to come to the Timberwolves? We'll likely get answers soon, but the Durant saga seems to have a different headline every few hours.