“There’s no market for KD this morning, there’s no market for Kyrie” - Colin Cowherd believes NBA is moving on from era of high-maintenance players, says it’s good for the game
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving's situation at the Brooklyn Nets has raised a lot of questions. The main debate is regarding the power that players currently possess in the league.
NBA analyst Colin Cowherd recently spoke about how player empowerment in the league is diminishing, with franchises keen to build around superstars who don't come with much baggage.
On the Herd with Colin Cowherd, the analyst stated that the lack of interest from teams in Durant and Irving is an example of diminishing player power.
"What I think is happening is we're pivoting out of an eight-year, 10-year deal here that I don't think was good for basketball. There's no market for KD this morning, there's no market for Kyrie," Cowherd said.
Colin Cowherd explained that teams want to build around trustworthy players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steph Curry.
"But this kind of chemistry puncturing, walking on eggshells, hyper-high maintenance, I think people around the league are going - I want Giannis, I want Steph, I want Dame, I want Chris Paul I want Jimmy Butler.
"Butler's had his issues but he shows up and works hard and demands it from his teammates. We're pivoting to the kind of basketball you can put your arms around and embrace. I like the pivot of the NBA," Cowherd concluded.
"We're pivoting to the kind of basketball you can put your arms around and embrace."
@ColinCowherd explains why the market has shrunk for KD, Kyrie and Westbrook https://t.co/vF8WswVeAx
Is the NBA moving on from high-maintenance players?
Kevin Durant, LeBron James and several other players have been considered high-maintenance due to demands they place on franchises. Their desire to win titles is no secret and they force the franchise to pull in the same direction.
Giannis Antetokounmpo might not seem like a high-maintenance player. But the Milwaukee Bucks still faced pressure in trying to appease their superstar and surrounding him with better players. Antetokoumpo could have walked away in free agency but decided to stay with the team.
"The league is in trouble [if Kevin Durant teams up with Jimmy Butler in Miami]."
— Jalen Rose
#NBATwitter #HEATCulture https://t.co/uHL7JlIhl7
All things considered, the NBA will always have high-maintenance players. It is up to the franchises to keep them happy so that they can produce on the court and win NBA championships.