With the ultimatum given to the Brooklyn Nets by Kevin Durant last week, we could see some NBA trade rumors begin to swirl again. Durant made it clear that it is either him or the general manager and head coaching duo of Sean Marks and Steve Nash.
Durant has lost faith in the plan that they laid out and Kyrie Irving shares the same sentiment. Sources have gone as far as to say that Irving hates Nash, which would make for quite an awkward relationship on the court during the season.
It is hard to imagine the Nets giving in to yet another demand from Durant, but you can never be sure. If they are committed to Marks and Nash, then they will seek out a trade partner that is willing to pay the price that Brooklyn is asking for in return from Durant.
In recent updates on the trade rumors, there have been three teams mentioned as still being involved in the Durant sweepstakes; the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors. All three are in a position to contend with Durant in the fold, as all three made the postseason, with the Heat and Celtics facing off in the Eastern Conference Finals.
One surprising omission from that list is the Phoenix Suns. When Durant first made his trade request, they were considered the favorites to land the former MVP, but their pursuit of him was impacted drastically when they matched the offer sheet that Deandre Ayton signed with the Indiana Pacers.
While all of the focus is on the Eastern Conference contenders, there is another team to keep an eye on in the Western Conference; the New Orleans Pelicans. They can build a very compelling package for the Nets and are still interested in pursuing Durant.
The New Orleans Pelicans remain interested in a deal for Kevin Durant, according to a source, and can put together a compelling package around All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, role players like Herbert Jones, Devonte Graham and Jose Alvarado, and the remaining draft compensation they received from both the Los Angeles Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade and the Milwaukee Bucks in the Jrue Holiday trade.
New Orleans very well may not be in the top-10 places Durant would want to land in a trade, but if they present the Nets with the best offer, that is the one that Brooklyn will accept. Stars have requested trades from the organization in the past and Durant very well could do that in the near future, but they would be a dangerous team to face off against.
Adding Durant to a lineup alongside Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum would be a handful for opponents. Depending on the role players they are able to hold onto in the deal, the Pelicans could quickly become one of the true contenders for the NBA Finals.
Latest NBA News & Trade Rumors: Brooklyn Nets & New Orleans Pelicans
- Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant Both Want Nets Coach & GM Fired
- Celtics, Raptors, Heat Still In Kevin Durant Trade Mix
- Kevin Durant Wants Brooklyn Nets Trade Or These Bold Demands
- Why Brandon Ingram Is Ideal Kevin Durant Trade Target
- CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram Forming Pelicans Intriguing Star Duo
For the latest surrounding the Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Kevin Durant, check out our NBA news and trade rumors feed.
