Ads
Getty Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets heads to the net as Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers
Kevin Durant still wants to be traded by the Brooklyn Nets. The 12-time All-Star forward met with Nets owner Joe Tsai over the weekend and gave him an ultimatum to trade him or part ways with the team’s general manager Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash. Shams Charania of The Athletic was the first to report the news, and Joe Tsai seemed to confirm the report with his public tweet in support of the Nets front office and coaching staff.
“Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets,” Tsai said in a tweet.
The Nets are looking to get a substantial return for Durant, the biggest in NBA history, according to some, for their superstar forward. Charania said something similar in his August 8 report. “Tsai and the Nets have made it clear privately that they will take every last asset from a team trading for Durant, sources said,” Charania wrote.
Charania reported that the top three teams looking for Durant are the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat. However, on August 10, reports added another surprising outfit to the star-shopped mix.
Philadelphia 76ers could pursue Durant
If you thought there were no more surprises in the Durant saga, asking to fire Marks and Nash was one shock, but the Philadelphia 76ers being a possible landing place is another. SNY’s Ian Begley wrote on August 10 that Durant sees Philadelphia as a potential business destination.
“What happens now? Well, it’s worth noting that in addition to Boston, Durant also sees Philadelphia as another welcome landing spot, according to people familiar with the matter,” Begley wrote.
The Nets have made it clear that they expect to receive an All-Star in exchange for Durant. The 76ers aren’t likely to include All-Stars James Harden or Joel Embiid in an offer to the Nets. Begley noted that they could include Tyrese Maxey in a deal.
“The Sixers would almost certainly have to include Tyrese Maxey in a Durant trade. Given the dynamics at play, one would think Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle and other players/draft picks would be included,” Begley wrote.
Does Durant make sense to Philly?
Could another reunion between Kevin Durant and James Harden work in Philadelphia? It’s important to remember that Harden’s frustrations in Brooklyn centered on Kyrie Irving and his absence, not Durant. The two were seen together in London for the Travis Scott concert and remain close. That relationship shouldn’t be too complicated to repair. Durant, Harden and Embiid would be three great dynamics in the city of brotherly love.
Maxey, Harris and Thybulle may not be enough to seal a deal for Durant. A collection of draft picks or potentially a third team would probably also be needed. For the haul the Nets are seeking in exchange for Durant, the Sixers may not be the best trade partner. The report has more circles because Durant has chosen the teams he would most like to play for, including the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics and now the Philadelphia 76ers.
Ads
–
