Kevin Durant recently met with Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai and that resulted in more focus on potential trades. According to Shams Charania, Durant reiterated his trade request and essentially told Tsai that the Nets had to choose between him or general manager Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash.
Tsai made his official statement on Twitter in full support of the Nets’ front office. He said they will make a decision that’s in the best interest of the team. Of course, this probably has some meaning to the Kyrie Irving trade request as well.
As of now, it looks as if the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and the Toronto Raptors are the main contenders in the Durant sweepstakes. Here are potential trades each team could offer.
Trades for the Three Teams in the Kevin Durant Sweepstakes
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets receive Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and the Boston 2024 and 2027 first-round picks
Boston Celtics receive Kevin Durant
A Durant and Brown deal had floated around recently and it makes sense for both parties.
First off, Brooklyn gets a stud in Brown. He’s often overlooked playing on the same team as Jayson Tatum, but Brown is an All-Star caliber player who can lead a team into the playoffs. The Nets are low on talent either, even if they trade Durant and Irving. Brown is also eight years younger than Durant.
Brooklyn also gets White, a capable starting guard who played very well in the playoffs. It has been rumored that the Nets want Marcus Smart from Boston as well, but Brooklyn also isn’t in the best position to negotiate. Finally, Brooklyn also adds assets in two first-round picks.
Boston fell to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Sure, they didn’t win, but the Celtics are set up to be very successful. Adding Durant, of course, only adds to that cause. A core of Durant, Tatum, and Smart, bolstered by Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, Al Horford, Danilo Gallinari, and Grant Williams is a championship favorite.
Miami Heat
Brooklyn Nets receive Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Miami’s 2023 and 2027 first-round picks, Boston’s 2023 first-round pick (which Indiana owns), and Indiana’s 2027 first round-pick
Miami Heat receive Kevin Durant, Myles Turner, and TJ McConnell
Indiana Pacers receive Ben Simmons.
There are a lot of moving pieces here.
First off, Brooklyn gets their future building block in Adebayo. The 25-year-old is already an All-Star and one of the top centers in the entire league. He can lead the team for now. They also get a veteran in Lowry who makes an instant impact. Should Brooklyn rebuild, however, Lowry may be a hot asset at the trade deadline. Robinson comes in to bring shooting, making Brooklyn a dangerous team already having lethal shooters like Joe Harris and Seth Curry. They also get a boatload of draft picks. All in all, though, it’s a major hit of the reset button for the Nets.
Miami is built to be a championship favorite here. They add a superstar in Durant to pair alongside Jimmy Butler. Turner, of course, helps replace Adebayo. McConnell is a gritty defender and perfect for “Heat culture.” They can run a starting five of McConnell, Tyler Herro, Butler, Durant, and Turner. That’s scary.
Indiana gives up players and assets to add Simmons, who they hope can return to his Philadelphia 76ers All-Star form.
Toronto Raptors
Brooklyn Nets receive Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., and the Raptors’ 2023 first-round pick
Toronto Raptors receive Kevin Durant and Cam Thomas
Brooklyn adds three key pieces here and a first-round pick. That’s a big deal on its own.
Barnes is the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year. He averaged about 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists last season. He’s only 21 years old and his potential is through the roof.
Anunoby is just 25 years old and a stud on both ends of the floor. He averaged about 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game. He’s a seemingly ideal third or fourth option.
Trent Jr., like Anunoby, is very talented on both ends of the floor. The 23-year-old averaged about 18 points, three rebounds, and two assists per game last season. He’s a terrific “three-and-d” player. Brooklyn essentially gets three high-level starters who are 25 or younger.
Toronto does this to instantly be viewed as a championship contender. They add a superstar in Durant to a core of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. Toronto also has some solid role players and adds a decent prospect in Thomas.
