Now that the Brooklyn Nets have granted Kyrie Irving’s trade request, it leaves the entire organization’s future in question. The same goes for Kevin Durant, who had intentions of winning an NBA title with Irving in Brooklyn. Now as the former NBA MVP remains the lone superstar in town, it’s anyone’s guess what the 34-year-old hooper’s desires are.
He may very well be the next to request a trade, which, being that the NBA’s Feb. 9 deadline is fast approaching, the Nets wouldn’t have much time to strike a deal. Yet, Durant has long been mentioned in trade rumors, meaning teams have likely already held preliminary discussions, which could make an agreement easier to reach on short notice.
With rumors that the Phoenix Suns are already circling the waters regarding a potential Durant trade, we worked up seven potential scenarios for the 13-time All-Star ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
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Oklahoma City Thunder land Durant, again
- Oklahoma City Thunder get: Kevin Durant
- Brooklyn Nets get: Lu Dort, Aleksej Pokusevski, Jalen Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Darius Bazley, David Nwaba, 2023 first-round pick, two 2024 first-round picks (via HOU, LAC)
Chances are, Durant will want to land in a situation that allows him to pursue what could be his third NBA Championship. Yet, Durant could also want to bring the Oklahoma City Thunder back to glory after spending the first nine seasons of his NBA career with the former Seattle franchise.
The Thunder are already ahead of their expected pace, competing for a playoff spot thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s excellence, yet they’re still a few years away from being true contenders. While many pieces of their core may very well be on the roster already, it also places the Thunder in a prime position to swing for the fences, accelerating their competitive timeline.
It’s unknown what the Nets may be seeking in a potential Kevin Durant trade, if he’s even available at all, but chances are Brooklyn will want a mix of young talent and future draft picks. If so, the Thunder may be able to present one of the best packages available.
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In this scenario, the Nets land the 23-year-old Dort, who’s proven to be a tough-nosed 3-and-D specialist averaging 14.1 PPG. Plus, Poku, who’s a legit 7-footer with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, and being that he’s just 21, is still at least a few years away from his prime, yet already is a three-year vet. The Serbian is a skilled big who could even become the face of the franchise with a bit more seasoning as he fills out his frame.
Both Ousmane Dieng (19) and Jalen Williams (21) are rookies, selected 11th and 12th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, respectively. Williams has already cracked the starting lineup and is averaging 11.8 points per game, chipping in 1.1 steals per contest. That’s already three rotation players, plus Dieng, who could develop into one.
Darius Bazley’s contract is expiring, but he too has flashed the potential that helped him become the 23rd overall pick in 2019. Still just 22, the bouncy power forward is worth a gamble in the late stretch of the season, and the three future firsts give general manager Sean Marks a chance to put his own stamp on the roster, post-Irving and Durant. The Nets may not receive a better overall offer than what the Thunder can present.
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Portland Trail Blazers pair Damian Lillard with KD
- Portland Trail Blazers get: Kevin Durant
- Brooklyn Nets get: Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant, 2025 & 2028 first-round picks
One team under a lot of pressure not only to prove to their fanbase they are true contenders but also to show Damian Lillard they’re not afraid to chase the big fish, the current Portland Trail Blazers feel like a stagnant group that won’t come close to getting back to the Western Conference Finals in 2023.
It also feels like a group that’s running out of time, as Lillard is set to turn 33 later this summer and has yet to reach the NBA Finals. While it’s far too early to project what young talents like Shaedon Sharpe can be once they’re fully developed, the Blazers have to ask themselves if they think their roster will push them over the top in the next few years as is.
If not, why not cash in your chips for an MVP candidate like Durant? We’re still unsure of whether the Blazers have enough ammo to swing such a trade, but it all depends on what the Nets value in return. A player like Anfernee Simons could be enticing for a team that already has Ben Simmons, but no obvious scoring replacement for a player of Durant’s caliber (who’s practically irreplaceable).
Simons is already averaging 22 points per game, yet is still just 23 years old. He’s poised to continue becoming a star, and possibly even a first-time All-Star in Brooklyn in the near future. Grant, while he’s set to become a free agent, is also in the midst of a near career-best season, averaging north of 20 PPG. Sharpe is an unknown, but the seventh overall pick has the potential to be better than Simons once he finds out how to translate all his explosive athleticism into on-court production, but a 34.5% 3PT clip already suggests he can shoot.
Meanwhile, Portland would finally have two elite dribble and scoring threats, with Lillard and Durant. The rest of the pieces can continue to be molded, but they’d have two of the best 25 players in basketball.
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Toronto Raptors add a championship piece
- Toronto Raptors get: Kevin Durant
- Brooklyn Nets get: O.G. Anonoby, Gary Trent Jr., Precious Achiuwa, 2023 & 2025 first-round picks
The Raptors got to taste victory back in 2018-19 when they won the franchise’s first NBA title, thanks to Kawhi Leonard. While much of that same core remains, including Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, the Raptors haven’t gotten further than the Eastern Conference Semifinals since.
Now there’s a level of disappointment settling into the Toronto fanbase, wanting to get back to their winning ways, yet the team sits five games below .500. We’ve heard the Raptors linked to several trades, including O.G. Anunoby commonly mentioned.
Yet the Raptors so far appear unwilling to part with their two-way star. Should a player like Durant become available, their tight grip on Anunoby could be loosened. Durant would essentially replace the superstar lost when Leonard signed with the L.A. Clippers, and his off-the-charts basketball IQ could make him an easy addition to the starting lineup in the middle of the season, immediately boosting Toronto’s title odds, not only this season but for years to come.
The Nets would be getting Anunoby, who’s still developing offensively yet is already one of the better wing defenders in basketball. Trent Jr. is your prototypical microwave scorer, who can get it done in a number of ways, and Achiuwa is the big energy shot off the bench every team needs. Getting two additional first-round picks is simply the cherry on top used to build the Nets back into a contender.
Related: NBA trade rumors: Latest buzz ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline
Phoenix Suns go all-in with Kevin Durant
- Phoenix Suns get: Kevin Durant
- Brooklyn Nets get: Deandre Ayton, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027
Another team that got close to winning the NBA Finals but ultimately came up short, the Suns followed up their title loss by finishing with an even better record last season. But now the wheels could be coming off, or at least getting a bit loose, as the Suns are now just battling to stay above .500.
There’s also a sense that the team’s chemistry isn’t great. Whether it’s Monty Williams or Deandre Ayton, there seems to be some tension within the organization. What we do know is that Devin Booker, as the face of the franchise, isn’t going anywhere, but everyone else? Could be up for grabs.
Yet, if the Suns do decide to shake up their roster, outside of an expected Jae Crowder trade, Ayton would likely be the first to go. Not only does he hold value and likely has yet to reach his prime, the 24-year-old has a large yet tradeable contract that would match several stars around the league.
- Kevin Durant stats: 29.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.5 BPG, 55% FG, 37% 3PT
While Ayton’s far from being on Durant’s skill level, he is at least a star player that is a surefire starter, if not a borderline All-Star, should he receive a bigger role in the offense. Ayton may very well get that opportunity should he land in Brooklyn on a team surrounded by Ben Simmons, Spencer Dinwiddie, and whoever else the Nets can land.
Yet, dealing with the Suns may not be the most exciting for the Nets, as much of the value here is paid out over time with the three future draft picks. Ayton is a good get, but he’s not exactly a piece to build around.
Related: 3 Phoenix Suns trade scenarios after striking out on Kyrie Irving
Denver Nuggets get Nikola Jokic some help
- Denver Nuggets get: Kevin Durant
- Brooklyn Nets get: Michael Porter Jr., Bones Hyland, Christan Braun, Zeke Nnaji, 2029 first-round pick
Considering they have the back-to-back NBA MVP, the Nuggets are another team that constantly falls short of expectations. If you have a player who is consistently viewed as one of, if not the best players in basketball, shouldn’t you be an annual title contender?
That’s the problem in Denver, as they’ve never gotten past the Western Conference Finals and have actually regressed each of the past two seasons. Now, the Nuggets can continue being patient, hoping a core with Jamal Murray, Porter Jr, and Jokic can band together in the playoffs now that all are healthy again, but if trading for Durant is an option, they would be foolish to not consider adding another MVP to their roster.
- Kevin Durant contract: $44.1 million in 2023, $47M in 2024, $51M in 2025, $54M in 2026
While Porter may not be anywhere near his eventual ceiling, the Nuggets also have to realize the very large risk that the oft-injured wing may never get on the level of a Brandon Ingram-type scorer. We’re not even sure if the Nuggets have enough to offer, without parting with a player like Murray or Aaron Gordon to land Durant, but we do expect Denver to get involved.
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Memphis Grizzlies become Western Conference favorites
- Memphis Grizzlies get: Kevin Durant
- Brooklyn Nets get: Dillon Brooks, Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, Danny Green, Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia, 2023, 2024 (via GSW), 2025, 2027 first-round picks
The one team everyone should fear getting involved in the Durant trade sweepstakes is the Grizzlies, who already boast a young superstar in Ja Morant. Teams already have enough trouble trying to limit the 23-year-old two-time All-Star, and pairing him with another downright dangerous threat to score in Durant would feel unfair to opponents.
Yet, if winning another title is what interests Durant the most, he may see an opportunity to team up with a budding icon like Morant and become enamored with helping the Grizzlies win their first-ever league title.
Again, we’re skeptical over Memphis’ chances to actually trade for Durant, questioning whether they have enough capital to swing a deal, especially if players like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane are off the table, but again, the Grizzlies have to at least look into the possibility. We’re just not sure a package that is heavily built around future draft compensation led by Dillon Brooks, who’s set for free agency, is enough to beat the other outstanding offers the Nets are sure to receive for one of the best players in basketball.
Related: NBA Finals odds: Every team’s championship futures for 2022-23 NBA season
Boston Celtics finally swap Jaylen Brown for KD
- Boston Celtics get: Kevin Durant
- Brooklyn Nets get: Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, 2026 first-round pick
This would be the blockbuster of all blockbusters at the 2023 NBA trade deadline, and it’s a deal that’s been talked about before. Yet, according to Stephen A. Smith, they could be surfacing again, with Brown specifically being mentioned as the headliner piece heading out from Boston.
If so, Brown would be a big get for Brooklyn, as he’d give the Nets an immediate All-Star, helping the organization save some face after trading away both Irving and Durant and having very little postseason success to show for it.
Not only is Brown a two-time All-Star who averages 27 points per game, he’s also one of the better two-way players in basketball, helping the Celtics lead a top-ten defense as well. Brown is averaging career highs in scoring, shot percentage, and rebounding, so the Nets would be getting a player who’s currently at his best.
Meanwhile, the Celtics would immediately become overwhelming title favorites with both Jayson Tatum and Durant in the same starting five.
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