Just three years into his tenure with the Nets, Kevin Durant is already looking for the exit. Since his arrival, Brooklyn has been ground zero for the drama and chaos caused by Kyrie Irving and the front office.
After growing tired of all the distractions, Durant put in his trade request to team owner Joe Tsai and the entire league is now monitoring the situation. Behind closed doors, despite the state of their relationship, the Nets and Durant’s agent, Rich Kleiman, are still working together to find an outcome that best suits both parties.
(via Real GM):
“Certainly the Nets at this point, they’re engaged on a number of fronts for Kevin Durant deals,” said Adrian Wojnarowski. “A player of this stature typically don’t come together quickly.”
“Sean Marks is in close contact with Kevin Durant’s manager Rich Kleiman,” said Wojnarowski. “They have a good working relationship.”
As one of the best players in the NBA, the price of acquiring Durant is not cheap. The latest reports indicate that any package offered to Brooklyn will have to include a star and several first-round picks.
“From what I can tell, there was an attempt by the Nets to make it clear that there was not going to be an artificial deadline here,” reported ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “Everything you hear is a negotiating position that they are taking. I am told that the Nets are prioritizing getting players back in this deal. They want the prime assets in this trade to be a star player or a high-level star player that they’re not focusing on draft picks, though I’m sure they want draft picks, too.”
At this time, it’s hard to say how this all plays out for KD and the Nets. With so many different factors to consider, it is impossible to predict where Durant will land next season.
But if you have any doubts about Brooklyn pulling off a deal, the ongoing relationship between Kleiman and Sean Marks should put that to bed. Clearly, both sides are willing to work together to give everybody what they want.
