Once you’re Kevin Durant and ready in the market, the remaining 29 teams will all be together for possible signings. The player proved himself in the league after playing 15-odd seasons and winning 2 NBA championships in the process. The Brooklyn Nets had a great chance to wield one of the most explosives they’ve ever had in their history, but unfortunately their injuries and availability of other superstars took their chances. As a result, 33-year-old Kevin is looking for a potential championship contender to partner with him in his pursuit of more NBA titles. No doubt the Nets phone will keep asking questions about Durant and his franchise demands, but Durant specifically named 2 teams he wants to play with next season.
Durant will come on a 4 year contract which is very attractive to franchises with ready Championship teams as they will easily put strong pressure in 4 seasons. Given the league’s rules, Franchises will try to keep an eye on cap areas, available roasting points, as well as tradable drafts to land in NE.
But the 12-time All-star will have plenty of suitors willing to sacrifice a pile of assets for him. The Nets will also have plenty of options and will definitely take their time as it can redefine their future. After going through Durant’s primary condition, rebuilding teams is out of the question – unless they’re the 3rd or 4th team in the trade, but they can’t take down Durant in any case. Here are the 5 teams that have a chance to pull out Durant this summer:
Kevin Durant conference Finalists look to Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are known for making surprise deals out of the blue, and you should never underestimate Pat Riley. Durant has reportedly put the Florida brand on his wish list and the Heat president knows the perfect ropes to do whatever he can to get his way. While Durant is not a free agent, the strength of a potential offer from Riley could make anyone happy with the outcome.
Miami has all but one of its first-round players in the next seven years – a 2025 (or 2026) pick to the Thunder is the team’s only future commitment. So it’s not impossible for them to put a number of draft picks in the mix, but draft compensation may not be at the center of a potential trade. Would have to add heat 6th man of the season Tyler Herro and perhaps star center Bam Adebayo are in the mix to make the trade happen. Brooklyn would need to vacate Ben Simmons at the same time, as teams are currently unable to roster two players in a Designated Rookie Extension acquired through trade. Bobby Marks of ESPN.
Phoenix Suns may have the last missing piece in Kevin Durant
The top-ranked team of the season had shown that they still have too deep a roster to include the absence of their star in some games. That’s exactly what Durant will hope to achieve – a strong support staff. He added the Suns to his wish list, but 2-time NBA ChampionThe Suns would have to part ways with some rotation stars and at least one superstar to sweeten the Nets deal.
Restricted free agent center Deandre Ayton will likely be the key piece of a signing and trading package. 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year Second Place A collection of Mikal Bridges and his draft picks. But the Suns would have to act quickly: Ayton wouldn’t be eligible for a potential trade if he signed an offer form with another organization.
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Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant have expressed their desire to play together in the past
Yes, the deal seemed a long way off, but Lillard and Durant have intended to play together in the past and may finally get their wish fulfilled. The Portlanders have little to offer other than Damian Lillard, but newest arrival Sharpe can’t be the only one making his way to Brooklyn for Durant. The Blazers would almost certainly have to kick breakout guard Anfernee Simons, too. Beyond Sharpe and Simons, Portland could also potentially add young guard Keon Johnson and/or winger Josh Hart, as well as future first-round players not in 2024 or 2026.
It would be helpful for the Blazers if they could add another “rebuild” team to assist with the trade. But for Kevin Durant only Damian Lillard wouldn’t be such an attractive prospect. They may even have to add a supporting star to keep the 4 goalscorer happy.
Trading between rivals in the city, the New York Knicks could come as a big surprise to Kevin Durant, too.
The New York Knicks could be another “unseen” franchise when it comes to the Durant swap. But Kevin Durant’s trade to the New York Knicks is worth its weight in gold. However, upon closer inspection, this is not as strange as it first seems. Knicks only about $30 million cleared in the cap area By trading Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks and Kemba Walker. They could bid on Evan Fournier or Derrick Rose to fit in the title slot with their away star Julius Randle.
The gap means the Knicks are rumored to sign Durant to RJ Barrett, Fournier/Rose, and free agent Jalen Brunson. The team could also use it to retain any of its stars, alongside young candidates Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, and Cam Reddish, with a series of picks the front office took in the last few drafts.
The Memphis Grizzlies could use the former Warriors star against them
This may be the surest trade-off between the teams discussed. The Memphis Grizzlies are a fascinating Kevin Durant trading partner. The Ja Morant/KD combo would be elite. The Morant, Durant, Jackson trio can be deadly. But to take the trade from the Grizzlies would be to betray a bunch of young talented rotational players.
A package deal consisting of Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane and perhaps Ziaire Williams in the 2021 first round or David Roddy in the 2022 first round could make it work. Will the Nets make the deal without getting Memphis’ biggest potential future star (apart from Morant)?
But if Durant is the core trade package for Jackson, Brooks and Bane, this would be a balanced deal on the list and work well for both sides. Ja and Kev might have a little extra workload.
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BREAK: Kevin Durant requests trade from Brooklyn Nets; The team finds a suitable destination
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