Report: Kevin Durant requests a trade out of Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kevin Durant has turned the NBA landscape on its side. Multiple reports have emerged that Durant has informed the Nets front office that he wishes to be traded.
Given that Kevin Durant still has four years left on his contract, whichever team acquires him will have his services long-term. On top of that, he is still one of the NBA's top talents. This past season, he averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists.
Acquiring Kevin Durant is not going to be easy. Most of the league will likely be lining up with their best offers to facilitate a deal. One team to keep an eye on is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
For years, the Thunder have been in a deep rebuild to stockpile a war chest of promising young players and draft capital. Following their selection of Chet Holmgren in the NBA Draft, OKC has multiple young pieces to help the franchise turn a corner.
As the Nets prepare to move one of the most valuable trade assets ever on the market, the entire roster will available to discuss in deals, sources tell ESPN. Teams have been calling on Durant, and the Nets will certainly look for a historic return on players and draft picks.
Sam Presti has collected assets to make a big splash, and this could be it. A reunion with Durant and this young nucleus would instantly put the Thunder back on the map.
Heat, Suns emerge as the frontrunners to land Kevin Durant
Along with requesting a trade, Kevin Durant also reportedly gave the Nets a shortlist of teams that he wishes to end up on. The most notable names were the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat.
Phoenix and Miami are among two of the teams that Kevin Durant has on his wish list, sources tell ESPN, but the Nets plan to move Durant where they can get the best possible deal. With four years on his contract, there's no shortage of teams willing to unload assets for Durant.
Both teams offer Kevin Durant a chance to compete for a title, and have the pieces to get a deal done. For the Suns, any trade would likely center around a Deandre Ayton sign-and-trade. Along with other young players and picks, the former No. 1 overall pick could be Kyrie Irving's new running mate in Brooklyn.
Ayton appeared in 58 games for the Suns this past season and posted averages of 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 63.4% from the floor.
The Miami Heat, meanwhile, have always been known to swing big moves, so they should be in the mix for Kevin Durant. With Tyler Herro fresh off the best season of his career, he will likely be the centerpiece of a return package. Duncan Robinson is another name to watch out for from a financial standpoint.
Pairing Durant with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adeybayo would give the Heat one of the top trios in the league. One thing is for sure, things are about to get crazy in the NBA.