As we move through July, the NBA news cycle slows down. The Las Vegas Summer League is what people are most focused on right now, but the overlying storyline is, what will happen with Kevin Durant?
He requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the free agency moratorium and plenty of rumors have popped up since then. However, there have been very few concrete discussions had as teams have been unwilling to get close to the Nets’ asking price.
Brooklyn is looking for a blue-chip All-Star and multiple draft picks in return for Durant. They reportedly asked the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and first-round picks in exchange for the former MVP.
Another hold-up in the deal is that people around the league know Durant wants to end up with the Phoenix Suns, so they aren’t presenting their best offers. The Suns, along with the Miami Heat, were mentioned as being atop Durant’s list of preferred landing spots.
The Toronto Raptors are confident that they can present a competitive offer as well, but they are not including reigning Rookie of the Year award winner Scottie Barnes Jr. in the trade package. Altogether, at least half of the NBA has reportedly reached out to the Nets.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: This Trade Sends Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant To New Orleans Pelicans
That isn’t overly surprising as Durant would make every team in the league better. Could one of those teams be the New Orleans Pelicans? They are used to superstars asking out of town, so acquiring one would be a nice change of pace for the fan base. However, they shouldn’t get too excited, as the small market club doesn’t seem to be on Durant’s radar.
“The Pelicans have assets to get Durant, but multiple NBA executives don’t think a small market team like New Orleans would make a strong push for Durant since they have two young All-Stars in Zion Williamson signed to an extension and Brandon Ingram signed through the next three seasons. Other rival executives believe Durant wouldn’t want to be traded to New Orleans.”
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: This Trade Sends Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant To New Orleans Pelicans
There have been discussions amongst some people that Brandon Ingram is the perfect target for the Nets in a return package for Durant. However, it is hard to imagine that New Orleans would part ways with him unless there are some guarantees that Durant won’t hold out and ask for a trade from them similar to what James Harden did to the Nets after being acquired from the Houston Rockets.
New Orleans certainly has the draft capital to appease Brooklyn as they have a surplus from the Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday trades. They can part with five first-round picks and still have some capital remaining.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: This Trade Sends Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant To New Orleans Pelicans
Alas, while they can build a strong trade package, it doesn’t sound like they will be a serious contender for Kevin Durant, who has his sights set on teams closer to contending already.
