Things have been slow to this point in the offseason for Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant after previously requesting a trade from the organization back in June, but it appears that one new team is surprising getting involved in a potential trade scenario for the 12-time All-Star.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Memphis Grizzlies have recently made inquiries about trading for Durant.
The Grizzlies have five first-round picks to theoretically utilize in a Kevin Durant trade, but sources say that they will not make Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane available. More details: https://t.co/v0E9k9pA4s https://t.co/rqj9nZaxwI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 22, 2022
This is certainly very surprising considering the team seems to consider Ja Morant an untouchable type of player moving forward, but Charania reported that the team has thrown around the idea of a trade package centered around a number of future first-round picks.
They reportedly do not “seem inclined” to throw young players such as Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane in a potential package returning to the Nets.
Many around the NBA world are intrigued by the possibility of this trade considering how well the Grizzlies played last season, shocking everyone to go from the bottom of the Western Conference a year prior to becoming a top contender this past year.
Warriors-Grizzlies on Christmas Day might end up as appointment viewing 👀 🍿 https://t.co/UjvcoQwEVg
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) August 22, 2022
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) August 22, 2022
https://twitter.com/SalmanAliNBA/status/1561716067524902912
Grizzlies trying to get Kevin Durant. That could be very very interesting pairing him with Ja Morant and a solid head coach. I’m not mad at it.
— Trav ‘97 🇹🇹🇭🇹♒️🗽 (@travbryanmusic) August 22, 2022
If the Grizzlies do trade for KD, he might get a @MemphisZoo giraffe named after him just like Ja.
I say make it happen @KDTrey5
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) August 22, 2022
It seems like these talks between Memphis and Brooklyn are in the early stages, and other teams may still be out in front of any potential trade talks.
The Boston Celtics are still reportedly the frontrunners to land Durant, along with the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat who have also expressed interest this offseason.
Durant notably still has four years left on his contract with the Nets, meaning that the Nets organization still has all the leverage to try and get the best return in a potential trade.
There are still a number of interesting potential landing spots for Durant, but given the lack of action from teams around the league to make the plunge on Durant, it seems plausible that he could remain in Brooklyn for the 2022-23 NBA season next year.
