3 Potential Trade Destinations For Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant no longer wants to be a Brooklyn Net.
Just days after Kyrie Irving opted into his contract for the 2022-23 season, seemingly ending the Nets’ offseason drama, Kevin Durant requested a trade.
Kevin Durant has requested a trade out of Brooklyn, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
Durant’s request will send shock waves through the league and have major ramifications on this upcoming season. During his three year tenure in Brooklyn, Durant played 90 games, while averaging 28.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. Now, nearly every team in the league will ramp up their efforts to sign the future Hall of Famer.
Here are three trade destinations Durant should look to force his way into.
Phoenix Suns (+600 to Win NBA Championship)
This one makes the most sense for both parties. A sign-and-trade package around Durant and Deandre Ayton would fit and both teams could get what they need to move forward. Durant has a preference to land with the Suns, and Ayton wants a new deal. With the Durant-Irving era ending in Brooklyn, it would only makes sense to restart with a former No. 1 overall draft pick.
Kevin Durant has the Phoenix Suns listed as a preferred trade destination, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2022
Miami Heat (+750 to Win NBA Championship)
The Heat and Pat Riley are known to always be lurking, swooping in at just the right time to make the perfect move. I’m not sure if the Heat have any serious long-term assets the Nets would be in love with, but it makes sense for Durant’s career.
He would join a team that needs an elite half-court scorer and one that was a three-pointer away from the NBA Finals. Durant is the most seamless superstar to fit into any system because of his ability to iso and get a shot off whenever he wants. The Heat would have to move Tyler Herro, but getting Kevin Durant would clearly be worth it.
Portland Trail Blazers (+10000 to Win NBA Championship)
We all saw Damian Lillard’s Instagram story with Kevin Durant photoshopped in a Blazers’ jersey. The Blazers may have some picks to throw the Nets, but that may be all. The Blazers would be a great stylistic fit for Durant, as he’d be going from one skilled, scoring point guard to another.
The Western conference is wide open and a duo of Lillard and Durant would be extremely potent. It may be further down the list, but don’t doubt Portland’s hand in this sweepstakes.
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.