The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly navigating free agency as if they are bringing back Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving next season, even as trade rumors swallow the organization. Durant requested a trade from the Nets at the start of free agency last week while there was uncertainty over whether Irving would opt back into the final year of his contract.
If the Brooklyn Nets do decide to honor Durant’s request, they want a ton of assets in return to make it happen.
During a SportsCenter appearance, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski mentioned last week’s trade that sent Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for four first-round picks, an additional pick swap, and five players.
“The Rudy Gobert trade to Minnesota started to frame that (package),” Wojnarowski said. Essentially five first-round picks for Gobert, I think for Brooklyn, that level of picks, pick swaps — teams can do four — and then an All-Star level player.”
He added that it’s “incumbent on some of the other teams to be creative” and start accumulating assets to present Brooklyn with a tempting offer.
Durant has been swept up in trade rumors with the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat while Irving has been mentioned as a possible piece to a deal to the Los Angeles Lakers for Russell Westbrook. NBA insider Shams Charania, of The Athletic, appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and suggested the Nets may keep both superstars.
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“On the other hand, the Nets, they picked up T.J. Warren today. They’re making moves and they’re doing things this offseason in their mind the preparation and operation as if they’re bringing these two guys back next season and playing with these two guys,” Charania said.
“I think they’re open in dialogue and open to teams like Toronto, Miami, Phoenix, making offers but until they get that price threshold met – which I’m told is All-Star-type players, boat load of draft picks – this is what they’re telling teams, ‘We’re not going to move Kevin Durant until the price is met.’ So, we’ll see how this summer goes.”
Brooklyn is under no obligation to trade either player. Durant is still under contract for three more seasons and Irving is under contract for at least one more season.
