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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 teams who can rescue Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets

By Ian Levy

Dec 21, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) controls the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) controls the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) and guard Chris Paul (3) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) and guard Chris Paul (3) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Phoenix Suns

As soon as Irving’s trade request was made public, rumors started buzzing about the Suns’ interest. There had already been quiet rumblings about their willingness to trade Chris Paul and a hypothetical Irving and Paul swap generated a lot of curiosity (and jokes). But, any potential chemistry concerns aside, the Suns would be a lot better off if they could keep Paul and trade other parts for Durant instead.

The Nets could theoretically send Durant and Nic Claxton to Phoenix, take back Deandre Ayton, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-rounders and a pair of pick swaps and then flip Crowder again before the deadline for another pick. The Suns would instantly become one of the most dangerous teams in the West, and the Nets would have a foundational big man and a literal mountain of first-round picks to build with for the future.

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