Nets star Kevin Durant requested a commerce in June. It’s now August and he’s nonetheless no nearer to being moved.
Now a report Tuesday claims Durant goes to sit down down face-to-face with Nets proprietor Joe Tsai this week, a gathering that ought to no less than supply a modicum of readability shifting ahead — be it a reconciliation or a breakup.
“What I’m listening to is that KD goes to fulfill with the proprietor this week,” a supply advised Heavy Sports activities. “He’s going to go on to the proprietor, Joe Tsai, someday this week. We’ll see how that works.”
The Nets declined touch upon the report.
Durant requested a commerce on June 30, the day after Nets level guard and longtime pal Kyrie Irving — with whom he’d arrived as a package deal deal in 2019 — opted into the ultimate yr of his contract. It was additionally days earlier than Durant’s personal four-year extension, which he signed final summer time, kicked in.
So far, Durant has by no means overtly defined why he turned disgruntled and desires out of Brooklyn. It’s additionally unclear whether or not the assembly can be to reiterate and reinforce his need to go away, or to precise adjustments he desires to be made with a view to keep.
“I don’t know,” the manager advised Heavy Sports activities. “I do not know what’s going to return of that assembly. There are some issues that KD is sad about, and I’m undecided any of that will get fastened right here. However perhaps it does.”
Tsai and Nets common supervisor Sean Marks had agreed to work with Durant and enterprise companion Wealthy Kleiman to hunt buying and selling companions, however to this point there was no actual traction in a market skewed by the Jazz’s haul in return for Rudy Gobert, primarily 5 first-round draft picks.
The Athletic reported every week in the past that Durant nonetheless desires to be traded. The Put up had reported that there had been contact between Durant’s camp and the Nets entrance workplace, albeit unclear whether or not it was the star or Kleiman, and unsure at what degree of the group. Now these talks could possibly be a tête-à-tête between the 2 events concerned.
Although Durant was largely considered as being on his method out within the days after the commerce request, The Put up has reported that the scenario is trending towards the four-time NBA scoring champ nonetheless being in Brooklyn for coaching camp. The Heavy Sports activities report backs that up, with one other NBA supply betting the Nets will maintain each Durant and Irving.
Durant is a two-time NBA Finals MVP and 12-time All-Star. Regardless of being 33, he’s much more impactful a participant for the Nets than something they will get in return — and thus far, the affords have clearly been underwhelming. Durant has 4 years left on his contract, and a historical past that claims he loves taking part in and hates sitting out. To suppose he’ll maintain out indefinitely if not traded strains credulity.
The Nets reportedly have requested for the likes of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Cities in return for Durant, and lately rejected a proposal of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and a first-round choose from Boston, in accordance with The Athletic.
Brown — who was drafted by former Celtics boss Danny Ainge, not present GM Brad Stevens — was Boston’s finest participant within the NBA Finals and has simply two years left on his contract. He was already thought-about a flight threat, and after he responded on social media to his identify arising in commerce rumors, there's a notion across the league that the revelation of Boston purchasing him might plant seeds of discord.
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