For the longest time, the NBA worked in ways that placed organizations’ interests over the interests of the players. Of course, there were a few standouts. But the general scenario was that the organization could trade away players anytime they saw fit, regardless of how loyal a player has been towards them.
But that is no longer the case. The likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant have paved the way for players to help them secure their future and leave a team when they see fit. Obviously, there are limits to it, but the situation has changed a lot for NBA players compared to a few decades ago.
The most recent example of it was when Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets right after signing a 4-year extension with the franchise. Durant gave three years of his career to the Nets, but due to several reasons, his time with the franchise has been nothing but forgettable.
Now many have come forward and called out KD for his decision. But for a change, Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso has come in support of Durant’s decision.
A discussion about trade requests with Alex Caruso pic.twitter.com/za17ytcMQF
— JJ Redick (@jj_redick) July 15, 2022
Everyone is complaining about players having power and not honoring whatever contract, or wanting to do it. And it just hit me somebody said it, the players are finally treating this like the teams and the organizations have for so many years. They’re finally realizing the business side of this like, ‘Okay, I have leverage. I’m an asset. Let me make this work to the best of my ability because if the organization or the team has a chance to upgrade, they’re gonna upgrade.’”
Caruso has made an excellent point amidst the Kevin Durant trade saga. At the end of the day, the players are an asset and if they aren’t happy with a team, they should be able to ask for a trade.
However, a good way to do so would be to not sign long-term contracts right before making such decisions. If KD had simply honored his current contract and decided to leave the Nets, most wouldn’t have an issue with it.
