NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket as Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns defends during the second half at Barclays Center on April 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
According to multiple reports, Brooklyn Nets‘ superstar Kevin Durant has officially requested a trade from the organization.
With Durant’s request triggering even more craziness to an eventful NBA offseason, wherever the 12-time All-Star lands will have a magnitude effect on the league. As one of the best players in the association with four years remaining on his contract, a deal for Durant should return the largest package ever in terms of value.
While the former MVP will have a list of preferred destinations, it’s important to note that Durant does not have a say on where the star forward gets moved. The Nets will operate patiently as they receive a boatload of calls regarding potential frameworks of deals.
More than half of the league should be interested in acquiring a player of Kevin Durant’s caliber, but some organizations are more realistic landing spots depending on assets that include All-Star-worthy players, promising talent, and a plethora of draft picks. In the wake of Durant’s monumental trade request, let’s examine five potential suitors for the two-time Finals MVP.
NBA Trades: 5 suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets:1. Phoenix Suns
Initially, the Phoenix Suns should emerge as a legitimate threat to acquire Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. It’s been widely reported that Phoenix is one of Durant’s preferred teams, but the Nets don’t have to honor his preferences, even though they’re expected to honor his trade request.
Brooklyn should send Durant to an organization that’s willing to give up the most to absorb him, and while the Suns are interested in the 33-year-old star, they could also entice the Nets with a historically substantial package.
The Suns would be more than willing to sign and trade Deandre Ayton to Brooklyn in the midst of the drama surrounding the former first-overall pick and the franchise. In addition to Ayton, Phoenix could offer valuable producers such as Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, salary fillers if needed, and a wide range of draft picks.
To their advantage over some other teams, the Suns possess all of their own first-round picks moving forward. Since they’ll be able to include as many as four first-round draft picks in a potential deal, along with pick swaps. Phoenix could construct a loaded trade package in an effort to win the Durant sweepstakes.
An offer of Ayton, Bridges, Johnson, four first-round picks, and pick swaps could be an intriguing option for the Nets to consider. Brooklyn would want Devin Booker to be involved most of all, but the three-time All-Star reportedly signed a four-year, $224 million maximum extension with the Suns that makes him ineligible to be traded until the 2023-24 season.
Even without Booker included, the Suns could still push through on a deal with a variety of other promising assets. As the Phoenix Suns continue to chase its first NBA championship in franchise history, sacrificing essential parts of the roster to form a monstrous trio of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant for years to come could be well worth it.
Brooklyn Nets</a>‘ superstar Kevin Durant has officially requested a trade from the organization.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Durant has requested a trade out of Brooklyn, sources tell <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@TheAthletic <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Stadium.
<p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1542580983739858944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>June 30, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>With Durant’s request triggering even more craziness to an eventful NBA offseason, wherever the 12-time All-Star lands will have a magnitude effect on the league. As one of the best players in the association with four years remaining on his contract, a deal for Durant should return the largest package ever in terms of value.</p>
<p>While the former MVP will have a list of preferred destinations, it’s important to note that Durant does not have a say on where the star forward gets moved. The Nets will operate patiently as they receive a boatload of calls regarding potential frameworks of deals.</p>
<p>More than half of the league should be interested in acquiring a player of Kevin Durant’s caliber, but some organizations are more realistic landing spots depending on assets that include All-Star-worthy players, promising talent, and a plethora of draft picks. In the wake of Durant’s monumental trade request, let’s examine five potential suitors for the two-time Finals MVP.</p>
<h2>NBA Trades: 5 suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets:1. Phoenix Suns</h2>
<p>Initially, the Phoenix Suns should emerge as a legitimate threat to acquire Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. It’s been widely reported that Phoenix is one of Durant’s preferred teams, but the Nets don’t have to honor his preferences, even though they’re expected to honor his trade request.</p>
<p>Brooklyn should send Durant to an organization that’s willing to give up the most to absorb him, and while the Suns are interested in the 33-year-old star, they could also entice the Nets with a historically substantial package.</p>
<p>The Suns would be more than willing to <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"http://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/14/nba-trades-deandre-ayton-phoenix-suns-2/">sign and trade Deandre Ayton</a> to Brooklyn in the midst of the drama surrounding the former first-overall pick and the franchise. In addition to Ayton, Phoenix could offer valuable producers such as Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, salary fillers if needed, and a wide range of draft picks.</p>
<p>To their advantage over some other teams, the Suns possess all of their own first-round picks moving forward. Since they’ll be able to include as many as four first-round draft picks in a potential deal, along with pick swaps. Phoenix could construct a loaded trade package in an effort to win the Durant sweepstakes.</p>
<p>An offer of Ayton, Bridges, Johnson, four first-round picks, and pick swaps could be an intriguing option for the Nets to consider. Brooklyn would want Devin Booker to be involved most of all, but the three-time All-Star reportedly signed a four-year, $224 million maximum extension with the Suns that makes him ineligible to be traded until the 2023-24 season.</p>
<p>Even without Booker included, the Suns could still push through on a deal with a variety of other promising assets. As the Phoenix Suns continue to chase its first NBA championship in franchise history, sacrificing essential parts of the roster to form a monstrous trio of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant for years to come could be well worth it.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Team #2 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-446557 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1237212562.jpeg" alt="NBA Trades, Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1237212562.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1237212562-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 04: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls in action against Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 04, 2021 in New York City, NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets: 2. Chicago Bulls</h2>
<p>Another potential suitor for Kevin Durant could be the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have been aggressive in trade talks all summer as they prepare to bolster the roster, so it would be no surprise at all to see them pursue Durant, the hottest commodity on the market.</p>
<p>Chicago is most certainly in win-now mode and are in desperate need of roster enhancements if they’re going to become serious title contenders in the Eastern Conference. They’ve built a promising core during the last few years, but not good enough compared to the other powerhouses in the East such as Milwaukee, Boston, Miami, and Philadelphia.</p>
<p>Acquiring Durant could carry the Bulls over the hump and would immediately transform them into a legit threat to return to the summit of the NBA for the first time since the Michael Jordan era. Chicago’s front office is surely aware of that.</p>
<p>The Bulls could intrigue the Nets with a trade package centered around All-Star DeMar DeRozan, young assets such as Coby White, Patrick Williams, and Ayo Dosunmu, and as much draft compensation as they can offer. While Chicago is expected to re-sign star guard Zach LaVine this offseason, nobody should be untouchable on the Bulls.</p>
<p>Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vucevic could also be included, but Brooklyn would most likely prefer LaVine or DeRozan as the centerpiece, and salaries would need to match up in a potential deal. Given the scale of valuable assets that they hold and their urgency to win, the Chicago Bulls can’t be slept on as a landing spot for Kevin Durant’s services.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Team #3 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-446558 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1133,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1355328063.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1355328063.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1355328063-768x544.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 27: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat in action against Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on October 27, 2021 in New York City. The Heat defeated the Nets 106-93, NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/2021 Jim McIsaac)</p>
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<h2>NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets: 3. Miami Heat</h2>
<p>As the other reported organization on the list of preferred destinations, the Miami Heat have identified themselves as a realistic suitor for Kevin Durant. Known for chasing stars, the Heat should express heavy interest in a campaign to acquire Durant from the Brooklyn Nets.</p>
<p>After falling one game short of reaching the NBA Finals this past season, Miami is close to reaching another NBA championship with this current core that they possess. However, they’ll have to offload a major chunk of their core if they’re going to land Durant.</p>
<p>Nobody on the Miami Heat roster should be untouchable, even star Jimmy Butler. In fact, Butler might have to be involved in any deal for Durant based on the Heat’s lack of assets. Tyler Herro, Gabe Vincent, and 2022 first-round pick Nikola Jovic are the only other players besides Butler that could interest Brooklyn.</p>
<p>All-Star Bam Adebayo can’t be traded to the Heat due to the Designated Rookie Extension rule unless Ben Simmons, who’s also on a rookie extension, is traded beforehand. Without Adebayo included, it seems almost impossible for Miami to trade for Durant without giving up Jimmy Butler.</p>
<p>It’s a tough choice to make given all that Butler has done for this organization, but the idea of adding Kevin Durant to Heat Culture alongside Bam Adebayo, Victor Oladipo, Kyle Lowry, and a strong supporting cast could be more appealing than the value of loyalty in this business-oriented league. Keep a close eye on the Miami Heat going “all-in” for Durant.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Team #4 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-446559 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1065,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1387387351.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1065" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1387387351.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1387387351-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 23: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies and Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies celebrate as Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the second half at FedExForum on March 23, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee, NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets: 4. Memphis Grizzlies</h2>
<p>The Memphis Grizzlies could emerge as a dark horse suitor for Kevin Durant as they aim to build a title-contending roster around ever-growing star Ja Morant. Pairing Durant with Morant would immediately form one of the best duos in the NBA and secure the Grizzlies as a top contender for at least the next four years.</p>
<p>Memphis has a significant opportunity to upgrade its corps after taking the league by storm last season by earning the second-best record when nobody really expected them to. The Grizzlies are an electric, fun squad that’s built to own the future, and acquiring Durant would clearly accelerate their timeline to win a championship.</p>
<p>Morant is the only untouchable asset, but Memphis has other promising talent with high value, headlined by 22-year-old forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and sharpshooting wing Desmond Bane. Along with Jackson Jr. and Bane, the Nets could be interested in Dillon Brooks, Ziaire Williams, Brandon Clarke, and up to five first-round draft picks in a potential deal.</p>
<p>The Memphis Grizzlies could pull off an astonishing move by trading for Kevin Durant this offseason. It’ll be a possibility given the assets and desire to win a title in Memphis.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Team #5 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-446560 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/01/nba-trades-kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1386364091.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1386364091.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1386364091-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 18: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Barclays Center on March 18, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 128-123, NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA Trades: 5 potential suitors for Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets: 5. Portland Trail Blazers</h2>
<p>Lastly, the Portland Trail Blazers could make a run at Kevin Durant as they aim to reshape the roster in an effort to build a contender around superstar Damian Lillard moving forward. Lillard and his fellow teammates have openly recruited Durant through social media, and if it somehow came to fruition, the Blazers could become an instant title favorite year after year.</p>
<p>A star-studded duo of Durant and Lillard would be one of the most dominant offensive tandems that this league has ever seen. It sounds like a fascinating opportunity for Portland, but acquiring the 10-time All-NBA legend is obviously easier said than done.</p>
<p>The Blazers don’t really have enough assets to entice the Brooklyn Nets in a potential deal, especially without the ability to sign-and-trade Anfernee Simons anymore, who reportedly just signed a four-year, $100 million contract to remain in Portland.</p>
<p>As of now, the best that the Blazers could offer for Durant would likely include Jerami Grant, Josh Hart, Nassir Little, 2022 first-round lottery pick Shaedon Sharpe, and three first-round picks, along with additional pick swaps.</p>
<p>The Nets should be able to receive a better offer than that this summer, but if a Kevin Durant trade stalls into the start of next season, perhaps Brooklyn could wait until Simons is available for trade if they prefer to do business with the Blazers. It would be a perfect scenario for Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers if they ended up with the golden prize of Durant.</p>
<p>All in all, it seems inevitable that Kevin Durant will eventually be traded by the Brooklyn Nets. Other stealth suitors in the race for Durant could be the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Utah Jazz, as calls will continue to flood general manager Sean Marks and Brooklyn’s front office.</p>
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