NBA Trade Rumors: Kevin Durant unlikely to be traded before deadline
Whether or not he wanted to, Kevin Durant found his name inserted into trade talks at the deadline as a result of Kyrie Irving's recent move. After injuring his MCL on January 8th, Durant was forced to the sidelines as the rest of the Nets' roster continued to fight for the team's spot in the standings.
When Kyrie Irvin requested a trade from Brooklyn, there were reports that many teams were interested in how Durant felt about the situation. After Irving stirred up plenty of controversies to kick off the season, the team finally started figuring things out before Kevin Durant's injury.
As Ben Simmons continues to work through his struggles on and off the court, it sounds like Durant isn't going anywhere ahead of the trade deadline. According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, the general consensus right now is that Durant doesn't get moved until the offseason. He spoke on his Lowe Post podcast, saying:
“I’ve been saying since the James Harden trade, that it just feels like the inevitable end of this is that (Durant) asks for a trade a second time, having already done it for the first time. I just don’t know how likely that is, or when it would happen. "
"Around the league, I think there would be some surprise — even within the Nets — if it happened in the next few days. Because that’s an avalanche of stuff happening in a very short amount of time that all of the league needs to prepare for if it becomes a thing.”
Of course, if the team were to move Kevin Durant, there would be no shortage of potential teams interested.
Possible moves for Kevin Durant
While it sounds as though Kevin Durant isn't going anywhere quite yet, there has been some movement on a possible trade this offseason. As the Nets cling to the fifth-place spot in a stacked Eastern Conference, the team will need Durant back on the floor sooner rather than later.
With many teams having the assets and cap space to trade for Durant, the Phoenix Suns have emerged as possible suitors. The team has struggled this season on and off the court. Devin Booker's absence on the court has continued to hinder the team.
According to reports, Deandre Ayton wants out. After the team bounced back from the playoffs last season, Ayton admitted going into this year that he and head coach Monty Williams hadn't talked. That immediately signaled to analysts that the team wasn't in a good spot going into this season.
Whether it happens ahead of the deadline or during the offseason, it sounds as though the Suns are prepared to make a big offer for Kevin Durant. If a deal does happen, it will likely include Ayton, Jae Crowder, and at least one first-round pick.
For now, it sounds as though Durant will remain focused on returning from injury.