On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Durant had conversations with Nets proprietor Joe Tsai and GM Sean Marks concerning the franchise’s route and skill to be a official title contender.
Primarily based on these discussions, Wojnarowski mentioned the Nets intend to construct round Durant and have little interest in transferring him forward of the commerce deadline. It is attainable that Durant advised Tsai and Marks that he would favor to be traded, as Windhorst’s feedback would possibly recommend.
In keeping with Windhorst, Brooklyn might need issue discovering an impression piece to construct round Durant. With Irving now not on the town, rival groups could also be hesitant to assist the Nets strengthen their roster.
“I am undecided groups actually need to do enterprise with them (the Nets) proper now,” mentioned Windhorst.
“There’s at the very least some groups which can be eager about seeing if they’ll get Durant. And (if I had been a staff), why would I assist the Nets do one thing to construct round Durant once I’m simply going to carry my property for Durant?”
Windhorst provides that groups not eager about buying and selling with the Nets now might maintain onto their property on the commerce deadline to arrange for a future Durant deal.
If different groups refuse to do enterprise with Brooklyn, the franchise might need no selection however to commerce Durant. Though it is unlikely he’ll get traded earlier than Thursday’s deadline, it will not be shocking if he requested one other commerce over the summer time.
Durant demanded a commerce within the offseason however rescinded the request earlier than the season started. The Suns, who coveted Durant after he requested out of Brooklyn, are ready to pursue him once more if he turns into out there, per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
Different groups will certainly inquire in regards to the two-time NBA Finals MVP’s companies. The Celtics, Raptors, and Warmth had been among the many groups eager about Durant in the course of the offseason.
An MCL sprain has saved Durant out of motion since Jan. 8, and at this level, there is no timeline for his return, Nets HC Jacque Vaughn advised reporters. Durant averaged 29.7 factors per recreation, taking pictures 55.9 p.c from the sector and 37.6 p.c from three-point vary earlier than getting injured.
After this season, Durant has three years and $153 million remaining on his contract. Regardless of being 34, he nonetheless has loads of high-level basketball left to play, and if he is traded, the Nets may obtain one of the important returns in NBA historical past.
