A recent report from Jarred Weiss of The Athletic revealed the Brooklyn Nets hope to avoid a no show on Kevin Durant situation and drive the market for him prior to the team’s training camp.
Durant requested a trade just before the start of the 2022 NBA free agency and had Phoenix and Miami as his preferred destinations. The Raptors and lately Celtics also have involved in the superstar forward sweepstakes.
“In the aftermath of Charania’s report, several league sources who spoke with The Athletic believe the Nets are looking to drive the market and avoid the kerfuffle of Durant no-showing for training camp. Toronto has thus far kept Scottie Barnes out of a Durant deal, just as the Celtics are making Jayson Tatum untouchable,” Weiss reports
There is no doubt that Kevin Durant has received a lot of attention due to his trade request from the Brooklyn Nets. Despite being under contract for four more years, the Nets would want to avoid a Ben Simmons-esque situation with Durant.
The Nets are, of course, demanding a king’s ransom for the coveted superstar forward. They want a huge number of future first-rounders along with young players and at least an All-Star caliber player.
Kevin Durant, a top-tier superstar in the league, can be the No. 1 offensive player on a championship team. However, teams are reluctant to give up their future for just one player.
Durant averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists for the Brooklyn Nets this past season.