As the whole world waits for the Nets to make their move, team owner Joe Tsai felt compelled to send a message to the fans on Monday night.
In a short but revealing Tweet, he laid out his intentions as he reminded the world that his first loyalty is to the Nets, not Kevin Durant.
Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.
Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.
— Joe Tsai (@joetsai1999) August 8, 2022
It has been nothing but mayhem for Brooklyn since acquiring KD and Irving in 2019. Durant missed that first season as he was recovering from an Achilles injury. In 2020, he was left to lead the Nets on his own while half the roster was at home nursing injuries of their own.
By far, though, the 2021-22 campaign was the worst. From the jump, issues arose thanks to Irving and his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine. His absence on the team basically tore things apart from the inside out.
All of it has led up to this moment, with Kevin Durant wanting out and the Nets having to choose between him and Steve Nash/Sean Marks. It remains to be seen how it will all end, but Durant could make things ugly if he really wants to.
“What if he comes to training camp and got a “back injury?” That’s where I say, like, if he makes it so ugly, right? A la James Harden, a la Ben Simmons, a la Anthony Davis, or if I get blown away by a deal,” said Chris Broussard on Durant’s trade request. “Those are situations where you might have to trade him. But I don’t know that Kevin Durant would do that. Most people feel like, including me, that he won’t.”
The Nets do have a few things going for them. Because Durant is on a long-term contract, there’s no rush for them to deal him right away. Even if he does refuse to play, the Nets can sit and wait for a trade offer they like rather than rushing to find the “best” deal.
Either way, Joe Tsai and his team are going to make the deal that benefits them.
