NBA Trade News – Kevin Durant Wants to be Traded, Should the Nets Give in?

In the latest NBA trade news, Kevin Durant this past week has made it clear to all that he wants to be traded immediately. After meeting with Nets owner Joe Tsai in London last weekend, he reiterated his trade request and gave an ultimatum of keeping either him or general manager Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash. Later in the week, Ian Bagley of NBA Central reported on his twitter account that Boston and Philadelphia are Durant’s preferred trade destinations. Should the Nets trade him right now and end this saga or risk him perhaps not showing up for training camp? The answer is NO! And here are the reasons why.

NBA Trade News – Kevin Durant Wants to be Traded – KD Just Tanked his Value

All these leaks this past week has tanked Kevin Durant’s trade value. And it was probably done by someone in Durant’s camp. Why? For the goal of the Brooklyn Nets to lower their asking price in a trade. Till now, the Nets wanted maximum value for him (a King’s ransom!) and no team was going to meet their demands. By leaking his requests to the media, it weakens the Nets hand in what they are asking. However, there is a problem with doing this.

The problem is that he has tanked his value to other teams also. So the teams that might have made an offer like the Boston Celtics or Toronto Raptors might have second thoughts in offering the same amount of assets. There is a saying in sales that the first offer might be the best offer. And it might be true here. Why? Because they see a player who is under contract for four years, doing everything he can to be traded. He just signed the extension last year and now he wants to leave. Also, going around management and telling the owner that he has to get rid of them or else is a bad look. What happens if he does that a year from now on his new team if things don’t go well? Imagine giving up two or three quality players and 4 or 5 1st round draft picks, only having to trade the player away because he is not happy? That would set your franchise back at least a decade. As a result, the offers the Nets will get for Durant will be even lower now.

NBA Trade News – Kevin Durant Wants to be Traded – Limited Trade Partners

As mentioned above, Durant’s current preferred trade destinations are Boston and Philadelphia. And now everyone knows too and other teams will be hesitate to trade for Kevin Durant. This gives the Nets limited options with these two teams. Who could they trade for on the 76ers? They are not going to trade Joel Embiid or James Harden for Kevin Durant. So who would you trade for? Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxie? Maxie is a good and talented offensive player. Tobias Harris is a nice complementary player who is paid like a super star. Is that a good trade? Nope!

What about the Celtics? It was reported that the Celtics offered Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and picks for Durant. However, either the Nets or KD’s camp leaked this information and it caused some issues with the Celtics. Jaylen Brown was not happy to have his name mentioned in a potential trade. Also, KD has said that he would like to play with Marcus Smart. However, the Nets would ask for Smart in any trade with Boston. The Celtics just got to the finals last year and they are a team on the rise with a good young core. Do they risk that for a couple years of KD? The Nets options are limited.

What Should the Nets Do?

They should keep KD for now. You are not going to get much for him because teams will lowball you because of all the drama. Kevin Durant is under contract for four years. If he doesn’t show up and play, you don’t have to pay him for the games he misses. Who knows, if Durant misses enough games, it might put you under the luxury tax and you might save yourself $90 million dollars! However, Durant will be 34 when the season starts and he’s already missed a lot of time. If he holds out, he further injures his legacy as he is now much closer to the end of his career. Also, he wants to get paid.

However, if you still want to trade him, wait until the season starts or even till the trade deadline when teams will be more desperate to make their push for the playoffs or to reinforce their teams for a long playoff run. You might get some better offers. Also, maybe wait until mid January and talk to the Phoenix Suns. The team Kevin Durant wanted to be traded to in the first place. At this point, Deandre Ayton can be included in any trade. A package of Ayton, Bridges, Johnson and a few 1st round picks would be a nice haul. So at this point, it is best for the Nets not to do anything rash and let things calm down and wait. It would be the right move for them.

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