It’s been more than a week since Kevin Durant sent shockwaves to the NBA community by demanding a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Despite the Nets bringing back superstar teammate Kyrie Irving, it seems like KD is desperate for a change of scenery.
While there is no doubting the talents of a superstar like Durant, we haven’t seen much activity in terms of trade packages being put up for the superstar.
Given how influential a player like KD can be in the playoffs, the Nets undoubtedly are looking to get the best package possible for the 2014 MVP. But former champion Richard Jefferson thinks that the organization still has a chance to convince Durant to stay.
In a recent appearance on NBA Today, Jefferson claimed that the real reason KD generally ends up leaving a team is because of the off-court issues and claimed that if the Nets ironed these issues out, KD might end up staying with the team.
(2:35 onwards):
“In Oklahoma City, after they lost to Golden State, he decided to leave because I think he wanted to like, ‘Hey, I want to play that brand of basketball where everyone moves.’ He gets there, and then after a little bit of time with the Draymond situation, he’s like, ‘Okay, this isn’t just basketball anymore.”
“I want to go someplace else now.’ He goes to Brooklyn and then all of a sudden it seems like it’s not just basketball anymore. That’s the reoccurring theme that I’ve seen with Kevin Durant is, when it doesn’t become just basketball, he doesn’t really want much part of it.”
“If the Nets can get back to in some way saying like, ‘Hey, we just want to focus on basketball here’ and get rid of the distractions, then you know maybe they can convince Kevin maybe Kyrie is still on that roster.”
In the three years, KD has been in Brooklyn, the team has been under constant public scrutiny. Much of it has been because of his teammate and friend Kyrie Irving. Be it Irving missing games or not following COVID protocols, he has often been at the center of controversies.
But when on the court, the duo of Durant and Kyrie looked great. Given that ‘Uncle Drew’ is still under contract and teams haven’t been able to put up a convincing offer on the table, the Nets have all the time in the world.
Meanwhile, in the offseason, they have added some great complementary players to their roster who have bolstered their supporting cast. If a trade does not come into fruition, we might see the Nets have one last hurrah with KD and Kyrie, and given the talent on the side, they can easily be one of the best in the East. Will Kevin Durant end up staying with the Nets?
