After three controversial years in Brooklyn Kevin Durant has already seemed to be fed up with his situation.
Written by: Riya Kalra
7 July, 2022
It’s official. Kevin Durant has reportedly requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, showing possible interest in other NBA teams. Durant expressed interest in being traded a day after the NBA free agency opened up, with Kyrie agreeing to wrap up his 4-year, 141M contract.
Why does Durant Want to be Traded?
In the past, Durant stated in an interview that he felt as if his teammates were relying too much on him, and Durant wanted to be able to maximize his potential by being part of a more skilled team. Durant said this during an interview with Warriors forward Draymond Green when talking about why he left Oklahoma to head to Golden State. Perhaps this is a similar scenario with the Nets. Though Brooklyn also has Kyrie Irving, Durant and Irving only played 44 games together in their entire career with the Nets. And before Harden was traded to the 76ers, the Big Three had only played 16 games together, going 13-3. Post-trade with Philadelphia, the Nets were still expected to make it past the first round of the playoffs, and perhaps even travel to the Eastern Conference finals. But in the first round of the playoffs, Brooklyn was swept by Boston and their young core- Tatum, and Brown, along with the help of some veterans, Horford and Smart. Being swept by the Celtics may have made Brooklyn a questionable place for Durant to stay. Even with Durant playing well in that series (26.3 PPG, 6.3 APG, and 5.8 RPG), the Nets still managed to struggle with other players not providing Durant with the full support he needed.
Potential Teams Durant has Expressed Interest in…
1. Miami Heat
Durant has shown interest in being traded to Miami. Miami is a strong team with loads of potential, unfortunately, they weren’t able to carry that potential past the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Heat lost to the Celtics. Though Jimmy Butler led Miami through most of the playoffs, the Heat have more than enough stars to support Butler and Durant next season- Victor Oladipo (two-time All-Star and former All-NBA selection), Kyle Lowry (six-time NBA All-Star former All-NBA Third Team), Tyler Herro, P.J. Tucker, Bam Adebayo, and Duncan Robinson. The Heat winning the 2020 NBA Finals demonstrates this team's motivation and drive to reach the finals again, and by adding Durant to their starting lineup, Miami will have a solid lineup going into the 2022-23 season.
What Would Miami have to Offer to Brooklyn for Durant?
Miami would have to trade for Durant- but who are they willing to give up? Miami could offer future draft picks to the Nets, however, the Heat don’t necessarily have many draft picks to give. Miami traded their 2023 draft picks already, but they could offer their 2024 1st and 2nd round draft picks, and maybe throw in a few players such as Herro and some money to secure a trade for Durant. Miami will have to play this game right if they want to acquire Durant.
2. Phoenix Suns
The Suns are another prospective team that Durant may be interested in. Given Durant’s commentary on why he left Oklahoma for Golden State, it’s also probably similar to the Nets and the Suns. The Suns have proven themselves the past season by having the best record in the entire NBA, with a strong team. Phoenix has Chris Paul and Devin Booker, and though those two may be the stars of the team, the rest of the team always contributes to the playmaking- Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, and Mikal Bridges are a few of the many key players who have helped Booker and Paul make the playoffs (though Ayton ane Bridges are reportedly free agents). If Booker, Paul, and Durant have those players supporting them throughout the 2022-23 season, they are ready to go for the playoffs.
What Would Phoenix have to trade to Brooklyn to obtain Durant?
If the Suns want Durant on their team next season, they will have to establish a trade soon, and fast, as many teams are interested in Durant and the Nets can trade him to any team. Brooklyn may be willing to trade him if the offer is good enough, even if Durant isn’t happy with his new team. The Suns don’t want to be in a position where they will be forced to trade either Paul or Booker, since both those players have been key throughout the 2021-22 season. For the second time in NBA history- the Suns walked away with any draft picks in the 2022 NBA draft. In the 2023 draft, Phoenix is expected to have round 1 and 2 draft picks, they could offer that along with Crowder, who would be a great defensive addition to the Nets. Phoenix will have to make some tough and important decisions in order to attain Durant for next season.
What Does Durant’s Departure Mean for the Future of Brooklyn?
The future of the Nets looks uncertain. Will Kyrie Irving be able to carry the Nets to and through the playoffs next season? Additionally, given that Irving’s contract with Brooklyn expires next year, that’s another star player gone. Brooklyn has to build chemistry between their players as well. Though Irving only played partially last season due to his refusal to get the Covid-19 vaccine, when he and Durant played together, it was just them two passing with each other. The rest of the team helped, but there was no clear bond established. This may be a stretch- but the Nets have to create a team that interacts like Boston. Ime Udoka and Brad Stevens have managed to create a young powerhouse- Smart, Horford, Tatum, Brown, and Williams/White have managed to take the floor utilizing communication and determination. The young Celtics’ values consist of winning and working together as a team, which seemed to work pretty well until they lost the NBA finals to the Warriors. Even the Warriors have had a hard time building team chemistry, the team is aging with new players coming in, a hard combination, but Boston has somehow managed to make it work. The Nets need to acquire some draft picks and will have to trade for all-star players, and eventually make their team appealing enough for free agents like Deandre Ayton to join.
Bottom Line
Kevin Durant is a valuable player that many teams in the NBA would trade for. However, some teams Durant may want to go to do not have enough to offer to him or feel as if they are fine with or without Durant. So who knows, Durant may just end up staying in Brooklyn next season, or the Nets can trade Durant for a mega-deal and Durant may end up unhappy and unsatisfied next season (and those to come). And in regards to Brooklyn, many qualified free agents are looking for new teams as well, so I would keep my eyes peeled for potential.
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