Multiple Teams Reaching Out to Nets About Kevin Durant Trade

Jim Parsons February 7, 2023 in Featured, NBA Tagged Kevin Durant, Top Story - 2 Minutes

Following a trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, news started to circulate quickly that Kevin Durant might be the next player to be sent out of Brooklyn. Over the offseason, Durant had requested a trade and then rescinded it. Now, with Irving gone and the Nets’ future uncertain, teams are calling to see if Durant is available.

NBA trade insider Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted on Tuesday, “In aftermath of Kyrie Irving trade, the Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Durant are having ongoing conversations on the direction of the franchise, but the organization has thus far told inquiring teams that they’re not planning to trade him before Thursday’s deadline.” He added that Durant was interested in potentially moving to the Phoenix Suns over the summer, “but so far the Nets haven’t shown a willingness to move him to Phoenix or anywhere else, sources tell ESPN.” The Suns were considered an immediate favorite to land Durant if he gets moved here over the next couple of days.

Durant had interest in a deal to the Suns over the summer, but so far the Nets haven't shown a willingness to move him to Phoenix or anywhere else, sources tell ESPN. There have been a number of teams reaching out to Brooklyn on Durant. https://t.co/xYvo5rGZCY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2023

There have been a number of teams reaching out to Brooklyn on Durant. Brian Windhorst reports: “The league right now and the top agents are waiting for clarity from Kevin Durant. One of the biggest questions that has happened in the last 3 days: ‘What do you think Kevin is feeling?'” He mentioned both the Toronto Raptors and Suns could be bidders here.

There isn’t clarity on what is going to happen with Durant. Teams are simply waiting to see what happens over the next 48 hours. Stephen A. Smith is among many fans saying that all of this drama surrounding Durant is his own fault. “I love Kevin Durant. Superstar. But feeling sorry is not the appropriate words that I would apply to him. This is of his doing: You left Golden State to come to Brooklyn to join Kyrie [Irving].”

The Nets remain active ahead of the trade deadline. They are finalizing a trade to send forward Kessler Edwards and cash to the Sacramento Kings, sources tell ESPN. The Nets save a total of $8M in salary and luxury tax and open up a roster spot. Edwards still has to approve the trade because he has a “one-year Bird Rights restriction” in his deal.