Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Gordon Hayward, F Kelly Oubre Jr., F/C P.J. Washington, F/C Kai Jones, G James Bouknight, F J.T. Thor, 2024 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2026 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2028 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – CHA)
Charlotte Hornets Receive: F Kevin Durant
You may have been expecting to see LaMelo Ball head to the Brooklyn Nets in this deal. You were mistaken.
The Charlotte Hornets would not benefit from trading Ball in exchange for Durant. Ball is the future of this franchise. Trading him for a 34-year-old with a history of injury concerns, even if his name is Kevin Durant, would border on malpractice.
Furthermore, no team should be trading for Durant if they won’t have enough left to contend after doing so. It’s safe to assume that Durant won’t be content to join a group headlined by Terry Rozier.
The Nets would be trading their future away for a player who’d probably want to get out of town immediately.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Updates On Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets & Charlotte Hornets
If the Hornets were to trade for Durant, this is the only viable path. Granted, it isn’t an easy one. The Hornets would be parting with a lot of future-focused assets in this deal.
Is it enough to twist the Nets’ arm?