Here’s How Grizzlies Could Trade For Nets’ Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

The Brooklyn Nets entered the season with NBA championship aspirations and a Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. They finished it with a lot of uncertainty about the future of the franchise.

Brooklyn fell woefully short of expectations during the 2021-22 season. They were swept out of the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs by the Boston Celtics, which has led to a lot of questions the team has to answer this offseason.

Can the Nets commit long-term to Irving, who is eligible for a five-year, $245.6 million extension if he declines his player option? What will the team do with Ben Simmons, who didn’t suit up for a single game this season and recently underwent a procedure on his back?

The franchise has essentially tied itself to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but if they wanted to hit the reset button, this offseason could present them the chance to do that. While extremely unlikely, the Nets could decide to part ways with Durant. Or, Durant could look to be traded should the team not commit to Irving, who Durant picked to team up with, long-term.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Trade Packages To Send Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant To Memphis Grizzlies

If Durant hit the trade block, every team in the league should present the Brooklyn Nets with an offer. The Memphis Grizzlies are a team that would make an aggressive offer as they look to cement themselves as contenders in the Western Conference.

A package of Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks, De’Anthony Melton, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 first-round pick via the Golden State Warriors and a 2025 first-round pick is one package that Memphis could offer. That is a package a rebuilding team would be interested in, which the Nets would probably quickly become without Durant.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Trade Packages To Send Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant To Memphis Grizzlies

If the Nets were looking to get back more pieces to help them win now, they could enlist a third team. In that scenario, the Detroit Pistons would be included and they would get involved to take Adams’s contract and receive two first-round picks.

The Nets would land Jerami Grant along with Dillon Brooks and a single first-round pick in this scenario. The Memphis Grizzlies would still come away with the crown jewel of the trade in Durant. Memphis would be all for either of these packages, but the Nets would likely be looking for more.

Adams, Brooks, Melton and Grant aren’t stars, let alone All-Stars as Grant was a fringe one during the 2020-21 season. Parting ways with one of the all-time greats in Kevin Durant without getting back a surefire All-Star talent would likely be a non-starter for the Brooklyn Nets.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Trade Packages To Send Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant To Memphis Grizzlies

But, the draft capital would certainly be appealing to help bring in established players to remain competitive in the near future.

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