The Brooklyn Nets keep trying to find a resolution to the Kevin Durant drama that started last week, a couple of hours before the 2022 NBA Free Agency started. Durant requested a trade from the team after a tumultuous 2021/22 season where the Boston Celtics swept the Nets in the first round of the playoff.
Added to the Kyrie Irving drama during and after the season, it was clear that Durant had had enough of that situation and decided to force his way out of Brooklyn while he still has four years left on his current contract. This can work in favor of the Nets, as they aren’t rushing to get rid of Durant and will wait until the right offer comes for the 2x NBA champion.
Every day, we learn more about what the Nets are looking for in return for Durant. Marc Stein is the latest name to try to shed light on this situation, explaining that the Nets are looking for a certain type of player that can keep them competitive and assures that they can be even better in the future, even dropping two names.
The Nets, as we’ve been saying, don’t have to proceed as fast as the basketball world wants — not with Durant under contract for the next four seasons. Brooklyn privately maintains that it won’t trade Durant unless it gets a package in return that starts with a blue-chipper like New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram or Toronto’s Scottie Barnes … along with lots more attached to a theoretical deal than the absolute hauls San Antonio and Utah received in exchange for Murray and Gobert.
Ingram has improved his level every season, taking care of the New Orleans Pelicans when Zion Williamson has been injured. It would be interesting to see if he’s given the keys of the cars and the right players to compete in a stacked Eastern Conference.
As for Barnes, he’s already one of the most exciting players to watch in the league. The 2022 Rookie of the Year has a bright future ahead and he’s already drawn attention from other teams, including the Nets. The Toronto Raptors have made it clear that Barnes isn’t available, but Brooklyn could still push to get the young player to Barclays Center.
