Kevin Durant’s relationship with the Brooklyn Nets seems to be in a weird place at the moment. On one hand, KD’s trade request has sent shockwaves throughout the league, on the other, the asking price for him, especially after the Gobert trade, is one that arguably no team might be able to afford.
It is looking increasingly possible that Durant will still be on the Nets roster when opening night for the 2022-23 season comes around. And while that may not be what he wants, the consensus seems to be that if it comes to that, then KD will simply play another season in Brooklyn. At least that’s what former NBA players and 2-time champion Mike Miller seems to believe.
"If they don't make a trade in the next month, two months, he's going to show up, be a professional, and do his job"
Former NBA Shooting Guard @MikeMiller_13 weighs in on Kevin Durant's trade request from the Brooklyn Nets@TermineRadio | @LegsESPN | #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/zvf4axKBOB
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 16, 2022
“I don’t know if they’re necessarily forcing their way out. I think they’re asking for it. Teams are basically agreeing to do it. At the end of the day, you can force your way out all you want. At the end of the day, you have a contract signed, you go play it. I think people are handling it a little more professionally.
“I think the KD situation… KD likes to hoop. I know KD. KD loves to hoop, will always hoop. If they don’t make a trade in the next month, two months, he’s going to show up and be a professional and do his job. So, I think those are the ways people gotta start handling this. I understand you’re unhappy. We’re also paying you $35 – $40 million a year. Go do your job as we work through this.
“I guarantee you, if Sean Marks and Kevin Durant can’t come to an agreement, or another team can’t come to an agreement with the trade, he’s going to show up at training camp. He’s gonna bust his a**. He’s gonna do everything he needs to do. He’s gonna be professional about it.
This isn’t a bad take by any means. Durant has always been obsessed with basketball and it’s hard to imagine him voluntarily sitting out a season. If the right trades cannot be found for their stars, the Nets might have one more shot at the title if they can get KD, Kyrie, and even Ben Simmons to buy back into the project.
