Aug 3, 2021; Saitama, Japan; USA player Devin Booker (15) and USA player Kevin Durant (7) congratulate each other after USA beat Spain during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
A bombshell report dropped out of Brooklyn, as Kevin Durant requested a trade off of the Nets. Here are three landing spots for the multiple-time NBA All-Star.
Just when you thought the start to NBA free agency could not get any crazier, a bombshell dropped hours prior.
According to multiple reports, Kevin Durant has requested a trade off of the Brooklyn Nets. He is working with Nets general manager Sean Marks and his business manager, Rich Kleiman, in finding a new home starting next season.
This was quite the news, as earlier in the week, Kyrie Irving announced he was opting into his $36.5 million player option for the upcoming season. But, Durant wants out of Brooklyn, and the chase to land the two-time NBA Finals MVP begins.
Where Durant lands is anyone’s guess, but these three teams should absolutely go all-out to acquire him.
Kevin Durant trade rumors: 3 landing spots for superstar
3. Phoenix Suns
The main question that was asked after the report dropped was not only “which team should trade for Durant?” The other was, “where does Durant actually want to go?” Well, Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes first reported that Durant has the Phoenix Suns as his preferred destination.
Durant landing in Phoenix would be huge, considering they had the best record in the entire NBA this past season. Despite this, they were eliminated in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks.
Bringing in Durant would reunite him with former Team USA teammates Devin Booker and Chris Paul. But what exactly would they give to Brooklyn? Well, it would not include Deandre Ayton, who is expected to leave Phoenix in a sign-and-trade. As The Athletic’s John Hollinger points out, any salary in a sign-and-trade between Ayton and the Nets would put the team over the luxury tax apron.
Given that the Suns were just two wins away from winning their first NBA Championship in 2021, they have to go all-in to ensure that becomes a reality. The return would have to be historic, but the Suns should pursue a Durant trade.