NBA news: Kevin Durant requests trade away from Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie Irving could follow suit
- Sean Fisher
- 1 July 2022
Kevin Durant has requested to leave the Brooklyn Nets this summer, and is now working with GM Sean Marks to find a suitable trade.
After spending three years with the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant is ready for a new challenge, and has requested a trade earlier this week.
It's believed that Durant went directly to Nets owner Joe Tsai on Thursday to express his desire to leave, and the 33-year-old is now in contact with GM Sean Marks as they try to find a suitable trade for the star.
Durant's news comes just days after teammate and good friend Kyrie Irving opted into his player option for next sesaon.
Durant's request also came hours before the start of NBA free-agency, which began at 11:00 BST on Thursday night.
Having come to the Nets together in July 2019, Durant's turn to the exit in Brooklyn could persuade Irving to also avert his attention away from the Nets this offseason.
Irving may have opted in, but there was no way he was going to take a $31m pay cut - from the $37m in his player option to about $6m available in some team's mid-level player exception.
Plus, extending his contract hardly restricts the 30-year-old from making a move this offseason - if anything his short-term contract could tempt teams more.
Where next for Durant?
The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are two teams that have been immediately linked with a move for Durant.
But what can they offer the Nets? Well, the Suns could look to trade Deandre Ayton. He's at a good age, full of potential and could be central to a rebuild - that could make him a very interesting suitor for the Nets.
OKC Thunder also can't be ruled out of making a move. The franchise were busy during this year's Draft, and could be tempted to swap some of their picks for a ready-made superstar in the form of Durant.
The Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans, both of whom have a combination of young talent and picks, have also been linked.
