Not so fast Kevin. Turns out, trading arguably the best player in the NBA is harder than anticipated. Why? Because teams are just like people. Always searching for the best deal. Until that deal comes along, they’ll pay with as many coupons as necessary to get that desired price. The problem is that the Brooklyn Nets refuse to move Durant for anything less than top dollar, and why should they? For a player just starting a four year extension, it makes no sense for the Nets to cave, no matter how much power the players hold in this complicated era of the NBA.
So the Nets and Durant may end up being together longer than they thought, at least according to ESPN senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski. He says the organization is “trying to create an outline” regarding the expectations for the clubs interested in making a move to acquire the former MVP. After Rudy Gobert was traded to Minnesota for a hefty amount of first-round draft picks, the Nets are commanding plenty in return.
The Nets currently have all the leverage and time on their side. Durant’s best chance to win is probably in Brooklyn, but if he wants a move, he’ll have to be patient and aware that the chances he ends up with one of his preferred teams is fairly slim. The idea of Durant sitting out a year at age 34 to prove a point also appears unrealistic. So many things can happen between now and the start of the regular season in October, setting up a fascinating offseason ahead.
Currently, the Suns, Heat, Raptors, and Warriors are teams that have been involved in trade rumors for Durant’s services.