Kevin Durant requests trade from Nets; preferred destination is Suns

Kevin Durant has asked for a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, resources informed Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes. Per Haynes, Durant stated the Phoenix Suns as a most popular spot. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski experiences that the Miami Heat are also on Durant’s would like checklist, but that the Nets intend to trade Durant anywhere they can get the very best deal.

Durant enters upcoming season on the 1st yr of a 4-year, $194 million extension. He’s less than contract through the 2025-26 time.

A 12-time All-Star, Durant joined the Nets in 2019 together with Kyrie Irving as Brooklyn set its sights on successful an NBA championship. The Nets were being swept in the very first spherical of the playoffs past year by the Boston Celtics right after a tumultuous typical time. Brooklyn traded fellow All-Star James Harden midseason for Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons has but to play a recreation for the Nets.

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Kyrie Irving drama looms significant

Meanwhile, All-Star guard Kyrie Irving was a part-time player during the frequent time just after he refused to comply with a New York Town COVID-19 vaccine regulation. Irving’s long run with the franchise has lingered around the offseason as he and the crew reportedly achieved an “deadlock.” Common supervisor Sean Marks reported at the summary of Brooklyn’s period that he needs gamers who can “be out there.” Irving performed 29 games during the typical year final yr.

Even with the reported deadlock, Irving reportedly opted into his $36.9 million player alternative before this week. The transaction leaves open the probability of a trade as the two sides have not agreed on a lengthy-term deal. Durant and Irving joined the Nets jointly a few seasons back as a bundle deal. Now, it seems that Durant is prepared to transfer on.

If Durant is at some point dealt, the shift will mark the close of wildly disappointing period in Brooklyn. The Nets remained among the the NBA title favorites considering the fact that Durant and Irving teamed up in Brooklyn. In two relatively healthier seasons jointly — Durant skipped his 1st time recovering from an Achilles injuries — Durant and Irving have unsuccessful to progress the Nets past the second spherical of the playoffs.

Story continues

Brooklyn lost in seven game titles to the eventual winner Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 Japanese Meeting semifinals. Then arrived very last season’s 4-sport sweep at the palms of the conference winner Celtics.

Durant, 33, has been slowed by injuries in current seasons. When balanced, even though, he stays an elite player at the major of the NBA. Where ever he performs following year, he’ll convey with him anticipations to compete for a championship.