Weeks after making his initial trade request, Kevin Durant has still not softened his stance on his future with the Nets. Now, the burden falls on GM Sean Marks and team owner Joe Tsai to make a decision and formulate a game plan regarding the next steps.
With the price so high, it’s no surprise that Brooklyn has not found any takers for one of the game’s best players, but they have apparently spoken with almost every team in the league since Durant’s initial trade request was made in late June.
(via Shams Charania of The Athletic):
Durant and Tsai spoke in London on Saturday and sources described the discussion as transparent and professional. The meeting took place a year to the day that Durant agreed to a four-year, $198 million contract extension with the Nets and barely over a month after his initial trade request on June 30. He is now entering the first season of that extension.
The Nets have direct knowledge of the reasons behind Durant’s request, sources said, and understand that the 12-time All-Star will continue to be resolute in his stance. Durant is believed to want a change of scenery heading into his 16th season.
What makes this news unexpected is that there were only two teams on Durant’s list of preferred landing spots: the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat. But if the Nets are talking with so many teams, it means that they are at least open to the idea of trading KD somewhere he doesn’t want to go.
From Brooklyn’s perspective, they aren’t going to let their best player (who is under contract for four more years) leave for nothing. They want a haul, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to come out of all this with the pieces they want.
For now, though, the stalemate will rage on until Brooklyn either lowers its asking price or some GM gets desperate enough to fork over a premium package.
