There have been a lot of discussions around the NBA about where Kevin Durant could land after requesting a trade from the Brooklyn Nets right before free agency began. These are complicated negotiations as a lot of moving parts will be involved.
Based on what the Nets are looking for in return for Durant, it will be difficult for a single team to meet their asking price. A third or even fourth team could have to get involved for the Nets’ interest to be piqued by any trade offers.
There are also some other hurdles that the team will have to overcome. There is a little-known rule, the Designated Rookie rule, that will come into play during negotiations. While a team can have two such players on their roster, only one of them can be acquired via trade.
The Nets have already reached that threshold once they acquired Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the James Harden deal. So, to complete a deal with say the Golden State Warriors, who would likely include Andrew Wiggins, he would have to be rerouted or Simmons traded again.
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However, it sounds as if Simmons is safe from being on the move. According to the New York Post, people within the organization have hinted that Simmons won’t be going anywhere this offseason.
“Privately, Nets sources have intimated the latter option is unlikely. And when asked if Simmons had gotten assurances he was in the Nets’ long-term plans and would not be traded, a source close to the young All-Star told The Post simply that ‘Ben is good.’
Could Simmons’ inclusion in their plans for the upcoming season be out of their hands? He looks to be on track to play, but after missing the entire 2021-22 season, the Nets aren’t actively looking to trade him and no market exists for him.
“Of course, the Nets might not have much choice in the matter. Simmons didn’t play at all last season, citing first mental health and then back issues. While he did have surgery and is on schedule to be ready for training camp, according to a source, one league source said there was no chatter about the Nets actively shopping Simmons, while two said there was little market for him.”
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If Brooklyn finds a package that they like in exchange for Durant that includes another Designated Rookie, they will have to figure something out to make it work. But, if Simmons has actually received some reassurances from the organization or they know there isn’t a deal to be made involving him, it will shrink the pool of players that the Nets can target in a return package.
