Kevin Durant trade rumors: Despite chatter, deal still seems far away

The Brooklyn Nets are taking their sweet time for the trade market to develop for Kevin Durant.

Though Kevin Durant wants out of there, do not expect the Brooklyn Nets to trade him right away.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski appeared on Sunday’s edition of SportsCenter to discuss what exactly the Eastern Conference franchise would be looking to get in return for their future hall of fame forward.

"“I think the Nets are trying to create an outline for the rest of the league about the kind of package they would want back in a Kevin Durant trade,” said Wojnarowski on Sunday’s SportsCenter hit. “I think the Rudy Gobert trade to [the Minnesota Timberwolves] started to frame that.”"

He mentioned the Rudy Gobert trade between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Utah Jazz as the framework for such a deal. This one involved multiple first-round picks, pick swaps and a high-caliber player. Since Durant’s two preferred destinations in the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns do not have enough assets in-house to pull this trade off, a third team may have to get involved.

"“The market is still taking shape,” continued Wojnarowski. “I think it’s incumbent on some of the other teams to be creative and start bringing to Brooklyn ideas, going out and seeing if they can get players, picks that would put the kind of package together it would take to get Kevin Durant.”"

Here is the entire news hit Wojnarowski made on SportsCenter discussing what the Nets may do.

Kevin Durant trade rumors: A deal does not seem to be imminent at this time

Yes, Durant may want out, but the Nets have all the leverage. This is because Durant is under contract for the next four seasons. He is slated to make nearly $43 million in 2022-23 and will be making around $53.3 million in the final year of his deal he signed with the Nets. Durant will not be hitting unrestricted free agency again until 2026, which will be his age-38 season out of Texas.

Given that Durant carries a big number on the books, has had several major injuries and has played in the league since his very early 20s, it is understandable why the Nets need to sort out what his trade market could provide them. If they do end up dealing Durant, they better get as much compensation as the Jazz got from the Timberwolves in the Gobert deal with Minnesota.

Durant seemingly cherry-picking the two No. 1 seeds from last season as his preferred trade destinations is so rich. The same principle can be applied to him potentially returning to the Golden State Warriors after willing leaving basketball paradise three summers ago. Durant may be a top-25 player all time, but he will go down as the sport’s greatest wanderer. Not all wanderers are lost.

Brooklyn has plenty of time on its side to figure out the best trade package it can get for Durant.