The NBA world was shocked on Thursday by the news that Kevin Durant had told the Brooklyn Nets that he wants to be traded despite having four years left on his contract. The news comes just days after Kyrie Irving opted into his player option for next season.
Kevin Durant has requested a trade out of Brooklyn, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, NBA teams are lining up to get a chance to trade for the former NBA MVP and two-time NBA champion.
As the Nets prepare to move one of the most valuable trade assets ever on the market, the entire roster will available to discuss in deals, sources tell ESPN. Teams have been calling on Durant, and the Nets will certainly look for a historic return on players and draft picks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
“As the Nets prepare to move one of the most valuable trade assets ever on the market, the entire roster will [be] available to discuss in deals, sources tell ESPN,” wrote Woj. “Teams have been calling on Durant, and the Nets will certainly look for a historic return on players and draft picks.”
While there are quite a few teams that would love to trade away their future for the chance to have Durant for the next four seasons, it appears that the All-Star has a list of preferred teams that he would appreciate being traded to.
Phoenix and Miami are among two of the teams that Kevin Durant has on his wish list, sources tell ESPN, but the Nets plan to move Durant where they can get the best possible deal. With four years on his contract, there's no shortage of teams willing to unload assets for Durant.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
“Phoenix and Miami are among two of the teams that Kevin Durant has on his wish list, sources tell ESPN, but the Nets plan to move Durant where they can get the best possible deal,” wrote Woj. “With four years on his contract, there’s no shortage of teams willing to unload assets for Durant.”
On Monday, as the league prepared for Kevin Durant to potentially request a trade during the Kyrie opt-in saga, Phoenix and Miami were often mentioned as the All-Star's perceived favorite landing spots.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 30, 2022
According to one NBA insider, Durant’s ultimate preference is likely to be Phoenix.
Brian Windhorst:
"Kevin Durant is going to try to force himself to Phoenix.”
(h/t @_Talkin_NBA) pic.twitter.com/FThsQdMmH8
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 30, 2022
Given that the Suns are coming off back-to-back fantastic seasons that ended just short of a championship, it stands to reason that they could see Durant as the missing piece there.
However, you could say the same about the Heat and the idea of Durant paired with Jimmy Butler certainly raises some eyebrows in the Eastern Conference.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.