Appearing on NBA Today on Wednesday (video link), ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said the Nets have been been “really turned off” by the offers they’ve received for Kevin Durant thus far.
“If some of the trade packages that have been floated to me are true, I agree with them, I think that they should expect more for Kevin Durant with four years left on his contract,” Windhorst said. “But the other teams in the league just don’t believe that the Nets have a lot of leverage here… and the offers they are making are reflective of that belief.”
As Windhorst details, the Nets are acting as though they’re fine with holding onto Durant into the season if acceptable offers aren’t presented. As of yesterday, Windhorst said that he wasn’t “sensing any traction” on a potential trade.
A source tells Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca that Brooklyn has an “unreasonably high” asking price for the star forward, and the Raptors have been unwilling to include Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes or the maximum amount of first-round picks in any Durant offer to this point. The two sides have had preliminary discussions regarding Durant, but nothing serious.
Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports that there has been talk during Summer League indicating that the Suns have been reluctant to include Mikal Bridges in a package for Durant, which is part of the reason why there has been no headway on a deal. Those around the league refer to Bridges as the “key piece” in any offer.
Frankly, if those rumors are true, it sounds like Windhorst might be right about the lack of suitable offers for Durant.
If Bridges hasn’t been included, then the Suns aren’t serious about acquiring Durant at this stage. Bridges is a high-quality role player and a very good defender, but Durant is an all-time great.
The Raptors have other possible pieces to dangle, like Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr. and Precious Achiuwa — so their reluctance to include Barnes or the full complement of future first-rounders is more understandable. I don’t include Fred VanVleet in that group because I don’t think Toronto would consider moving him — he’s too important to the team’s culture, plus his on-court production improves nearly every season.
Even if he’s entering his age-34 season, Durant performed at an MVP-caliber level when he was healthy last season, averaging 29.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 6.4 APG on .518/.383/.910 shooting in 55 games (37.2 MPG). He’s a 12-time All-Star, a four-time scoring champion, has been named to 10 All-NBA teams, is a former MVP and a two-time Finals MVP — a résumé doesn’t get much more stacked than that.
Durant and Kyrie high jack free agency day and then both end up playing for Brooklyn, would be kinda funny, and kinda lame, but Brooklyn should absolutely hold out for the right offers
The key part of that last paragraph was the when healthy part. At age 34 given his recent injury history, and the fact that this would be the the third franchise he’s left I’d be hesitant to make a massive offer too.
Makes sense now why the Warriors are getting involved in the discussions, would Wiggins be the best player the Nets can get back right now?
they can’t trade for wiggins with Simmons on the roster
True, so best player back is whatever Wiggins is worth on the open market…Yikes!
Wiggins to Toronto
Wiseman + Moody + Birch + OG + Brooks +3 picks from Warriors to the Nets
Warriors receive Durant +
Sure, if Joe Lacob was an idiot.
And if Masai was smoking crack.
OG is way better than Wiggins, younger, cheaper, and has more upside.
You’re the one smoking crack, mate. Wiggins clearly the better player. OG is 5 full seasons in, a bit late to be talking about “potential.”
KD has four years left on his contract and that’s nice, but he has been injured a lot the last couple of years and is getting older. So while he is a top elite talent, there is a reason his trade value is not what BKN expects.
Teams are low balling them and BKN are kinda expecting too much for KD. Their asking price, from the reports that they are expecting multiple picks and 2 all-star players or something like that, is madness. A team with those kind of assets will never give them for KD and a depleted team.
4 years. Per recent history, time enough for him to demand at least one more trade.
This article is GARBAGE. the nets hold all the cards. KD is 34, it’s not like he will sit out and forfeit the money(that hurts his Legacy. He is signed for 4yrs. Nets will call his balk unless the deals improve.
I agree. Brooklyn knows they will have a lineup featuring KD, Kyrie and Ben Simmons with Seth Curry and Joe Harris as shooters. Nic Clayton protecting the rim. They are gonna go all in one last time at winning a title. If they stay healthy, I wouldn’t bet against them.
Sorry, it is hard to get people to buy in hard to players under contract for their age 35+ years. Even for all time talents.
95% of all NBA greats were shells of their former selves by age 35 if they lasted that long. Which is fine, unless you are trying to build a winning roster around the guy without future picks to trade or some of your other good assets you had for your team you had to move for the big cap space that great will chew up for several years.
Can’t imagine how people still don’t want to buy yet?
Knicks willing to give 4 firsts for Mitchell but KD can get that?
Mitchell is 8 years younger and not coming off back to back season where he’s missed significant time
Nets hold leverage to a certain point. His value declines the longer they hold on to him. That’s all. Like KD will still play he isnt Ben Simmons. He wants to be in record books. He played for teams doing nada in OKC too, he will still get his.
Bit of a conflict for KD playing well though, better he plays, the more likely he’s traded, but the fewer resources that team will have to win. I would be surprised if he played as well or as often for the Nets this year as he has in the past.
I think he’ll still ball out.
Is OG Trent Achiwua, 3 firsts and 2 pick swaps not enough? Because I don’t see a team giving much more unless the Nets would do Siakam and a few picks straight up lol
Siakam and Barnes for KD would work. Toronto would not need to include picks.
TOR will never do that trade, they want KD to compete for a championship, that trade doesn’t achieve that.
Agreed. KD is exceptional, but has peaked. Siakim is great and improving even still, while Barnes’ potential is MVP potential.Two greats over 1 exceptional in a team game for me. I’d prefer to keep this young, exciting, and developing roster. The Kawhi experience proved the technique can work, but it would be WAY more satisfying to win the next ring based on long-term internal development.
If I am the raptors and I want to compete. I need siakim,trent,Barnes,and OG to go along with durant. If you trade any of them it is pointless. Vanvleet I am not sure about some days
You listed 3 forwards. Raptors can move 2 of those 4, add Durant, and be improved. The loss of picks is troubling tho, and Im not sure Masai wants a “hired gun” legacy.
Four YEARS left on a contract that no one held a gun to his head to sign. If he wants to leave the Nets now, who’s to say that he won’t want to force his way off the NEXT team that employs him.
Sac
Part of this might be related to the rumor that KD isn’t talking to his agent right now. If a team like TOR can’t get assurance KD would actually want to play there then I understand the reluctance to make a heavy offer.
I just don’t think Phoenix has the juice to get it done. Even if they include Bridges…. then it’s KD, Booker, and a 37 year old Paul? He probably has a better chance winning in Brooklyn.
Finally, as I said in a previous post, talking about “4 years of KD”, is nonsensical when he’s requesting a trade before his extension even kicks in. The nature of KD’s request may have deflated his market value more than anything.
If you had your choice who would you take as your centerpiece for KD if the Warriors dont go crazy and give them Wiggins, Pool, Kuminga and Wiseman.
Maxey, Bridges, Barnes, Herro, Ingram
Basically is a if you had a franchise who you selecting 1st… Ingram makes the most, but apparently his deal is not subject to the Two Rookie Max rule?
Who would have figured acquiring Ben Simmons would have this much impact on the KD trade offers… Wiggins (nope)… Bam (nope)… Ayton (nope)…. So many great centre pieces of possible trade packages “void”…
It is pretty hilarious like they may move him just to get a better player for KD.
Agreed. KD is exceptional, but has peaked. Siakim is great and improving even still, while Barnes’ potential is MVP potential.Two greats over 1 exceptional in a team game for me. I’d prefer to keep this young, exciting, and developing roster. The Kawhi experience proved the technique can work, but it would be WAY more satisfying to win the next ring based on long-term internal development.
Funny, a poster with the same name posted similar earlier.
The amount of years left on KDs contract doesn’t really matter if KD is already choosing to not respect his contract. Any team acquiring him has to treat him like someone who will be a free agent in 12 months. Because who knows if he will ask for a trade again with his new team.
Kd farted
BKN is a dumpster fire no matter who comes and who goes. Can’t see any star players WANTING to go there, and if they get traded against their will, how much more willing to play will they be than KD is now.
55 games a year is probably the best you can expect for the next 4 years. Nets act Durant is in his prime. Great player but with a limit as he winds down.
I don’t know why people keep saying the Nets will just keep KD, because he has 4 years left, if they don’t get what they want… Are y’all new to basketball? KD will be traded for whatever the Nets can get (which won’t be nowhere near what they’re asking) probably before the season starts or early on when KD is half assing it or sitting and saying he’s injured. This has been the M.O. for every player that’s requested to be traded for years now. It doesn’t matter if he has 4 years left. The Nets have no leverage and that’s why teams are not even offering anything close to what the Nets are asking… Because every team knows the Nets have no leverage.
Then there’s also the fact that teams will be hesitant to offer much unless they know KD is fine playing there. Toronto could probably give the best deal even without Barnes but I doubt KD wants to go there. The Nets are gonna get hosed and it’s kinda funny. I never seen a “super” team implode like they have, starting with Harden last year.
Its totally understandable. Why would any team trade the farm for a player who has shown that they will force their way out if things don’t go as planned? The 4 years means nothing if you only get a year out of it. Brooklyn was his choice destination and they gave him what he wanted, if it couldn’t work there…