NBA trade rumors have swirled around the Brooklyn Nets for a few weeks ever since Kevin Durant requested one to the team. It was a request that came out of nowhere; to this day, no one is sure what prompted it.
Figuring that out would certainly benefit the Nets, who could try and smooth things over depending on what the issue was. Alas, they are still fielding trade offers and are going to make the best deal possible for them. Even if it isn’t a team on Durant’s list of preferred landing spots, they will take the deal if they give the Nets what they are looking for.
There have been a bunch of trade packages mentioned, but the team that seems the most determined to make a deal for Durant is the Miami Heat. Miami was one of the teams on his list, so this potential trade could make everyone happy.
Brooklyn reportedly wants Bam Adebayo in any trade for Durant, which makes sense since he is arguably the best trade chip that the Heat have. However, because of the Designated Rookie rule, the Nets are not allowed to trade for Adebayo.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: Kevin Durant Trade Market Remains Complex For Brooklyn Nets
That is because they already have a player with that designation in Ben Simmons on the roster that they traded for. If they want to acquire Adebayo, Simmons will have to be traded somewhere else. The two All-Stars could be swapped for each other, but as Zach Lowe pointed out over at ESPN, that is a risky proposition for both sides.
“It’s tempting to suggest Ben Simmons could be that player coming, but that is complicated. Simmons hasn’t played in 13 months. He’s coming off back surgery. He quaked in the postseason — again. His trade value is at an all-time low. For their part, the Nets are wary of selling low on Simmons and cannot afford to view him as mere throw-in.”
If Miami traded Adebayo, it would cripple their game plan defensively. His versatility on that end of the court is what makes them so tough on that end of the court. However, Simmons is about as close as you could get to Adebayo when it comes to versatility on that end of the court as he can also defend every position.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: Kevin Durant Trade Market Remains Complex For Brooklyn Nets
But, inserting Simmons into the lineup isn’t a seamless transition given how long it has been since he played in an NBA game. However, a trio of Simmons, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry should still be enough defensively, especially if Durant is also included in that lineup.
From Brooklyn’s perspective, they would be giving away Ben Simmons just because they had to in this scenario. While his value is low, Simmons is more than a throw-in based on his potential as an elite playmaker and defender.
Latest NBA News & Trade Rumors: Brooklyn Nets
- Brooklyn Nets Should Just Run It Back With Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving
- ‘No Movement’: Nets Favor Keeping Kevin Durant Amid Trade Request
- Phoenix Suns Haven’t Offered Mikal Bridges In Kevin Durant Trade
- Kevin Durant In Contact With Brooklyn Nets Amid Trade Rumors
- Kyrie Irving Wants To Play For Nets Regardless Of Kevin Durant?
For the latest surrounding the Brooklyn Nets, check out our NBA news and trade rumors feed.
