Following the completion of the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to Dallas, the Nets and star forward Kevin Durant are having conversations about the franchise’s direction, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
While Durant’s future has been a popular topic of speculation around the NBA since Irving asked to be traded last Friday, there are now just 48 hours to go until the 2023 trade deadline and there has been no indication that KD will follow suit and submit a trade request of his own.
In fact, the Nets have been telling teams that they don’t plan to trade Durant this week, sources tell Wojnarowski, who adds (via Twitter) that multiple clubs have reached out to inquire.
Durant, of course, asked the Nets to trade him last summer, but after the front office unsuccessfully sought out a suitable deal for the better part of two months, he rescinded that request and he and the team agreed to “move forward” with its partnership.
Because Durant and Irving are known to be close and originally came to Brooklyn together in 2019, rival teams have been keeping a close eye on how Durant handles Kyrie’s departure. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on SportsCenter on Monday that Durant was “upset” when Irving asked for a trade, though Windhorst admitted he wasn’t sure whether the 34-year-old’s alleged displeasure was directed more at Kyrie or the Nets (hat tip to RealGM).
There has been a sense that if Durant asks out again, it’s more likely to happen in the offseason than right away. Even then, the Nets would be under no pressure to immediately grant the former MVP’s request, given that he’s under contract through 2026. Durant’s long-term deal and lack of leverage was thought to be a primary reason why Brooklyn opted to keep him this past offseason.
Having acquired two veterans – Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith – in the Irving trade who are capable of contributing immediately, the Nets are believed to be focused on remaining in contention in the short term and are reportedly scouring the trade market for upgrades to their roster.
I understand the Nets not rushing into a trade, but it’s not like they’re going to win the championship this year. The organization is a mess right now. They fired their head coach 10 games into the season and just traded one of their top two players. Also, it’s not like Durant is getting any younger and he’s also susceptible to injury. Why risk him getting hurt again in the second half of the season, which would deplete his trade value, instead of just cutting your losses now while the phones are ringing??
If they can trade for DeRozan or Lavine, they instantly become contenders again. All they need is one more guy
I think they could have a championship team or at least strong contender. DFS and Royce O’Neal are really strong 3 and d guys and Durant’s like the best scorer in the league. If Cam Thomas is for real they will surprise.
I Agree, if KD comes back like before they can make some real noise IMO. They are better defensively and slightly worst on offense. If they get lucky with the matchups I can see this roster reaching ECF.
Not to mention that Claxton has metamorphosized into one of the best defensive Centers in the league. Seriously, where did that come from?
BKN won’t deal KD now. The kind of haul they’re expecting can only be had in the offseason. Whether they get that haul is a different issue, but they owe it to themselves to go through the process with the greatest number of suitors. KD’s contract with 3 years left is one of the best assets to hit the market in the past 5 years, tempered only by the player’s history, which to date hasn’t hurt the value of other players so much.
Exactly, plus maybe they play well enough that he wants to stay anyway.
Maybe KD won’t ask to be traded at all because the toxic headache is gone.
Cameron Thomas > KD
Looks like we have a true student of basketball in our midst.
I keep it one hundred.
For sure man. I would put Cam Thomas right up there with Kobe.
Will probably be better than Kobe by tomorrow.
You sir keep it one hundred.
Cam’s time to shine. And shine he shall.
Trading Ben Simmons might be the better option. If they can find someone willing to take him and offer something halfway decent, I would take it. Esp if it’s an expiring contract.
Same w Joe Harris. Like if Pat Bev + Westbrook and a 1st is on the table, I think I’d take that deal. That would put them under 100M going into the offseason.
Why would the Lakers take that deal? Simmons is the exact opposite of what they need, and while Harris is a good 3 and D guy, he’s nowhere near his peak at this point. Taking on two massive contracts, one of which is a negative asset at this point, makes no sense considering where they are.
Who in their right mind would trade anything for Ben Simmons? The guy is toast
I could see a team like Charlotte taking a chance on him as good defender, potential center (where Charlotte is weak af), and good player in the fast break (in theory). Michael Jordan doesn’t want to rebuild. Simmons for Gordon Heyward might be a feasible deal, but I personally doubt it.
No one is willing to take Simmons with 2 years left and around $78M left without major assets in return. Just a bad contract.
The Brooklyn Nets are a better team without Kyrie’s dissension. Now I’m nervous about the Nets. Spencer Dinwiddie is back. And Cam Thomas will get a chance he should have had last year and this but didn’t.
I mean, they won like 18 of 20 before KD got hurt.
Now, you’re nervous?
Think that makes sense.
They aren’t likely to receive a huge offer at the deadline. The best time to trade is in the offseason with FA and the draft closer and teams having finishing the playoffs and teams desperate to upgrade.
As for finishing the season they still have a strong enough team to make the playoffs.
I like the blend of Dinwiddie Simmons KD DFS and Claxton, especially when you have good bench players like Seth Curry Cam Thomas TJ Warren and Royce ONeale.
I’d like to see them somehow try get Naz Reid. Think he’d be the perfect centre partner to Claxton. I think moving to a younger line up would be a smart decision in case KD does demand he wants out
I have a bad feeling Simmons ends up in Toronto as part of a vanvleet swap. It depends if the nets are willing to give up enough draft capital to get rid of Simmons. They are all in now with KD so they might as well push their chips in
Simmons for a toonie, a two four and a timbit, straight up eh?
Simmons and Barnes would be a terrible mix on offence
Worse than vanvleet and Barnes on offense? I would welcome having two guys with strong slash and pass tendencies
Much worse FVV atleast attempts outside shots. You need shooters around slashers like these two guys.
Toronto I believe need more of a lead guard that can ball handle and shoot the three. Provide a large chuck of the offence so Scottie and Siakim can be the sidekick/2 way beast they are.
I’d be using FVV and OG to get that third star to pair with Scottie and Siakim. Someone like SGA, Tyrese Maxey, Bradley Beal or Jamal Murray.
Both SGA and Murray are from Canada which could help, SGA is less of a shooter and his value would be sky high. Murray would be a great addition, Denver would have interest in FVV and OG too. Tyrese would be hard to steal away cause he’s still on his rookie deal, you have to include Tobias then that’s two of the Sixers top 6 which makes it a hard sell. Lastly Bradley Beal, however he’s got a massive contract and hasn’t been playing even close to to deserving of that money. So for all these reasons I’d probably try chase Jamal the hardest.
Jamal and Bruce Brown for FVV, OG Anunoby, 2023 first round pick (currently 9th) and 2 second round picks
Toronto lines up
Jamal GTJ Barnes Siakim Precious
Flynn Brown Thad Boucher
If I was Sean Marks, I’d rather have Dinwiddie than FVV. The Gap between what they bring to the table on the court, is much, much less than the Gap between theie trade markets. Also, Dinwiddie has no problem being a ‘role’ player, Even if his averaging 18-20+ a Game, or Even coming off the bench. I don’t see VanVleet as more than an undersized scoring PG, who can create his own shot, and can hit Big shots.
KD is signed. So there is no need to trade him now. Nets will get more. Trade him before the draft or at the draft. If you are going to do it. Me I’d still be talking to Suns about Ayton, Bridges, Crowder and picks.