Kevin Durant trade rumors: 5 teams who can trade for the Slim Reaper after Kyrie Irving's trade request, including LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors

Kevin Durant was reportedly surprised by Kyrie Irving's request to be traded by the Brooklyn Nets. KD demanded a trade in the offseason but the Nets refused to ship him without acquiring the kind of compensation they were looking for.

Durant and the Nets eventually settled their issues and informed everyone that they were moving forward with their partnership for the long haul. Five months later, Irving’s request to play somewhere else has put a wrench into Brooklyn’s carefully laid plan.

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𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐍𝐁𝐀

@_Talkin_NBA

"I'm told that the trade request surprised everyone in Brooklyn today, including Kevin Durant."

Woj on Kyrie Irving's trade request

#NetsWorld

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"I'm told that the trade request surprised everyone in Brooklyn today, including Kevin Durant."

Woj on Kyrie Irving's trade request

#NetsWorld https://t.co/DCYLjT5YYZ

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The Nets will be competitive with the roster they have, but they will not be title contenders without Kyrie Irving. With the situation staring him and Brooklyn in the face, teams could start checking on the former MVP’s trade availability.

Here are five teams who could try to lure KD out of Brooklyn:

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#5 Denver Nuggets

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Outside of Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets could entertain trading any player and first-round picks for the “Slim Reaper.” Michael Porter Jr. or Jamal Murray could be the centerpiece of Denver’s package that could also include Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Brooklyn gets Kevin Durant outside of their conference and gets a ton of draft capital for their rebuild. Denver will sacrifice roster depth to pull off the trade, but Durant is worth all of that.

Before the season started, the Nuggets were rumored to be seriously considering a trade for the "Slim Reaper." They might take a more aggressive approach this time.

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SiriusXM NBA Radio

@SiriusXMNBA

"Is there any way Denver...could get Kevin Durant?"

@TheFrankIsola and @Scalabrine break down what a trade would look like to send KD to the Nuggets

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"Is there any way Denver...could get Kevin Durant?"

@TheFrankIsola and @Scalabrine break down what a trade would look like to send KD to the Nuggets https://t.co/VmxTPUcKKg

Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant are perhaps the most fearsome duo in the NBA if the Nuggets can get away with it. They will be instant title favorites with KD in the lineup.

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#4 Golden State Warriors

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The Golden State Warriors did their due diligence in the offseason when Kevin Durant told Nets team owner Joe Tsai that he wanted out. Steph Curry was rumored to be open to the idea of reuniting with KD. Ultimately, the Warriors decided against it as they were unwilling to let go of their emerging young players.

The same young players the Warriors thought would make the leap this season have struggled. It may take longer before they reach their potential, which still makes them valuable trade assets.

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95.7 The Game

@957thegame

Do the Warriors have a role to play in Kevin Durant's future after Kyrie's trade request?

"Absolutely. If you're that front office and you see the flaws on this roster, you HAVE to make that call."

- @NickFriedell with @DamonAndRatto.

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Do the Warriors have a role to play in Kevin Durant's future after Kyrie's trade request?

"Absolutely. If you're that front office and you see the flaws on this roster, you HAVE to make that call." 🔥

- @NickFriedell with @DamonAndRatto. https://t.co/qVR7hVedfw

Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman, Moses Moody and even Draymond Green could be included in the equation. The Warriors also own several first-round picks in the next few years.

A rebuilding Nets team may just be the place for the aforementioned youngsters to bloom. They won’t be under intense pressure to keep up with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson’s timeline. Brooklyn can get rid of Kevin Durant's contract while amassing the picks to sustain the rebuild.

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