When Kevin Durant’s trade request went public, everybody knew the Brooklyn Nets would make out like thieves in any potential trade for the 12x All-Star.
But after the Minnesota Timberwolves gave up four first-round picks in the deal for Rudy Gobert, the price of Durant reached an all-time high.
According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the asking price for KD is no small sum.
According to rival NBA executives who’ve spoken to the Nets, the asking price remains high for 12-time All-Star Kevin Durant, and is expected to go up following the boatload of draft picks the Timberwolves gave up to acquire Rudy Gobert.
Brooklyn is seeking a combination of the best assets from teams, including any All-Star player(s), rising young players with All-Star potential and substantial unprotected draft picks and pick swaps where applicable.
Brooklyn’s roster currently has role players and All-Star caliber players in Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving (for now) to field a competitive playoff team upon the return for Durant. Currently, the Lakers appear to have the most trade interest in Irving.
Durant was never going to come cheap. Even at 33 years old, he remains a highly lucrative player who has enough talent and experience to drastically increase the title odds of any roster he’s on.
So if the Timberwolves were willing to give up five draft picks for Rudy Gobert, how much more might a team be willing to give up for KD? The Nets intend to find out one way or another, and they have all the time in the world to consider their options.
This summer is going to be a crazy one, and Durant’s next location is the last domino that needs to fall before things start getting really crazy.
