A massive piece of NBA news struck Thursday afternoon about three hours before the beginning of free agency.
Kevin Durant has requested a trade from the Nets, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported.
Earlier this week, Kyrie Irving decided to exercise his player option. Irving reportedly had a list of teams he’d wanted the Nets to consider if he didn’t stay with the franchise that included the Sixers, Lakers, Clippers, Heat, Knicks and Mavs.
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The 33-year-old Durant is under contract for four more seasons and has a salary of nearly $43 million for the 2022-23 campaign. He’s a 12-time All-Star, a four-time scoring champion, and uncontroversially considered among the NBA’s best offensive players ever.
Where might he play next? ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Suns and Heat are two of the teams on Durant’s “wish list,” but that “the Nets plan to move Durant where they can get the best possible deal.” The trade machine figures to see a serious spike in action among fans.
The Nets dealt away another star in February when they sent James Harden to Philadelphia and acquired Ben Simmons. The 25-year-old did not play last season and had back surgery in May. The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported Thursday that Brooklyn is expected to keep the three-time All-Star.
Joel Embiid appeared to be amused by the Nets’ drama.
Teams are legally allowed to start negotiating with free agents at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday. The NBA’s moratorium will end July 6.