As the Brooklyn Nets continue to face uncertainty about their future, Kevin Durant is doing all he can to get his way and control the narrative.
For the past three years, he has worked hard to carry the Nets to prosperity in the East, but things haven’t panned out very well so far, and the star duo appears headed for a split at some point in the near future.
Apparently, according to Ric Bucher of FOX Sports, the Nets actually tried to trade Irving as early as last season before KD shut them down.
“I’m told that they wanted to trade Kyrie midway through this past season, and Kevin Durant told them absolutely not. And they went along with it. Now, I’ve also been told while they’re still good friends that maybe KD doesn’t value him quite the same way as a teammate. I’m not so sure about that.”
At this point, nobody really knows what’s happening in Brooklyn. Despite a lack of trade suitors, Durant is still holding firm to his desire to leave — and now, he has even given the Nets an ultimatum, which has many in the NBA community all worked up.
“I get that players have more power these days, but I think it’s a little too far if he’s out here trying to get Steve fired,” said one coach, who was quickly reminded of Magic Johnson’s fingerprints on Paul Westhead’s firing back in November of 1981 and other power plays, some of which may well have been justified (Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com).
It seems like Durant wants total control of the Nets franchise. He wants the GM and coach gone and wants the power to dictate who gets traded or not.
So while things may not be working on the floor with Kyrie, it’s pretty clear that Durant is still loyal to his friend and that loyalty between the stars has put the Nets at a severe disadvantage.
