Kevin Durant trade rumors: Nets could want stars in Suns or Heat deal

The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are Kevin Durant’s preferred trade destinations. But the Brooklyn Nets would want these specific stars in return.

Kevin Durant officially overshadowed the start of NBA free agency, as he reportedly informed Brooklyn Nets governor Joe Tsai that he wants a trade from the team. Shortly afterward, multiple reports indicated that Durant has the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat at the top of his wish list. As it turns out, and understandably so, the Nets want a big return.

According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, when the Nets negotiate with the Suns and Heat, they would ask for Devin Booker and Bam Adebayo, respectively.

Nets would ask for Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo in Suns, Heat trade talks

The Nets may want Booker, but that does not necessarily mean that they are going to get their wish. But Fischer does point out that Brooklyn is not exactly keen on acquiring center Deandre Ayton in a sign-and-trade deal. Here is what Fischer writes:

"“From Brooklyn’s perspective, sources said, there’s no deal to land Durant in Phoenix that doesn’t start with sending back Devin Booker to Barclays Center,” writes Fischer. “The Suns, of course, would likely hold the line firm. But early indications are the Nets brass is not particularly inclined to take a sign-and-trade that brings back restricted free agent Deandre Ayton."

While the Nets would want Adebayo, that is a whole other issue, and it is not regarding the Heat wanting to surrender him in a deal. Rather, the Nets would be unable to due to the presence of Ben Simmons.

Keith Smith of Spotrac notes that the Nets are not allowed to have two designated rookie-scale-contract players that were acquired via trade on their roster. Adebayo is currently on that deal, as is Simmons, whom the Nets acquired off from the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this year in the James Harden trade. So, Simmons would have to be traded elsewhere for the Nets to bring in Adebayo.

The Nets, understandably, want the world for Durant. He is a multiple-time All-Star, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, and the 2014 NBA MVP, after all. But it will be interesting to see if the Suns or Heat will actually bite on their request to surrender Booker or Adebayo to secure a trade for Durant.