The NBA dropped some insane news before Free Agency opened up, suggesting that Kevin Durant was looking to be traded from the Brooklyn Nets, despite having four more years on his contract.
The Nets haven’t had much success with Durant since he signed with the team. Obviously, his injuries haven’t helped the situation, but it seems like the Nets front office is headed in a different direction and Kevin Durant isn’t satisfied.
However, it’s hard to blame the front office for Brooklyn’s failures. Kyrie Irving wouldn’t get vaccinated and James Harden didn’t add much effort on the court when he was a Net.
Then the Nets traded Harden for Ben Simmons and Simmons didn’t even play a single minute on the hardwood when it was expected that he would be available for the playoffs.
Where Should We Expect Durant to Play?
Durant isn’t happy with the Nets. He shouldn’t be. But he should also realize that his best chance of winning is with the Nets, as they will have Irving and Simmons on the team along with sleeper players like Patty Mills and T.J. Warren, to name a couple.
Personally, I still think Durant is a Net on opening day. But if he isn’t, here are the five teams that have the highest likelihood of trading for him.
Teams That Could Sign Kevin Durant
Boston Celtics (-175)
The Boston Celtics have an implied probability of 63.6% that they’ll land Kevin Durant if he switches teams. A few weeks ago, the Celtics became a bit aggressive in their pursuit of Durant. But there were sources reporting different things, so we don’t know what was right and what was wrong.
Some reports acknowledged that Jaylen Brown was a part of the Celtics trade package proposal. However, other media outlets are reporting that Brown was never a part of a proposal to the Celtics.
The Nets won’t trade Durant unless they’re given Brown in a trade package. Let’s just be honest with ourselves.
Phoenix Suns (+350)
The Phoenix Suns badly want Kevin Durant, but they’re not willing to part with Devin Booker for Durant. They want to have Booker and Durant play with each other.
The Nets aren’t looking to deal Durant unless they get a superstar in return along with a lot of picks and other young assets.
The Suns just don’t have a superstar that they can trade for Durant. DeAndre Ayton isn’t even allowed to be traded at this time. Therefore, the Suns would need to figure out a three-team or even four-team trade to make anything happen.
It’s going to be too complicated.
Golden State Warriors (+400)
It would be crazy seeing Durant back with the Golden State Warriors.
I don’t think any of the Warriors’ core would hate this move. But if Durant goes back to Golden State, his legacy would easily be ruined, if it isn’t already.
Durant would then prove to the world that Steph Curry is the best player in the league and that Curry was always the better asset over Durant.
Toronto Raptors (+900)
The Raptors have an interesting package that they can send for Durant. However, they would have to include Scottie Barnes. Toronto seems reluctant to do that.
What if Durant doesn’t enjoy Toronto and asks to leave them too? Now the Raptors would be without Barnes, who they scouted heavily and developed really well in just one season.
The Raptors would be an interesting home for Durant, but I’m not so sure he’ll want to play there. Toronto has the assets but the Raptors probably don’t want to part with them for Durant, who has a weird track record of being unhappy.
Memphis Grizzlies (+1200)
Memphis is so young and talented. Even without Ja Morant, the Grizzlies won a whole bunch of games last year and were just so connected as a group.
Durant would ruin all of that. Kind of like how the Knicks’ young core was ruined by the addition of Carmelo Anthony.
The Grizzlies are absolutely in the sweepstakes, but they’d be silly to go after Durant after building such an exciting young squad with so much potential down the line.
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