Sean Deveney of Heavy.com recently spoke to a couple of NBA executives, one from each conference, about hypothetical trades involving Nets star Kevin Durant.
As Deveney notes, there’s no indication that Brooklyn is looking to move its best player, but perhaps that could change depending on how the team performs over the next couple months. After starting the season 1-5, the Nets have won four of their past six games, currently sitting with a 5-7 record.
Would the Celtics entertain offering Jaylen Brown for Durant, as was rumored over the summer when Durant requested a trade?
“Oh, it would be zero interest from the Celtics, that would be a non-starter,” the East exec said. “Brown’s an All-Star and he’s eight years younger than KD (who is 34). The team’s playing well, they’re not going to touch that. I am sure it will be talked about again, and maybe the Celtics will struggle and things can change. But that would be shocking.”
What about Suns package centered around Deandre Ayton? Phoenix was reportedly one of Durant’s desired landing spots in the offseason, along with Miami. Ayton cannot be traded until January 15 and has a full no-trade clause for one year after he signed a maximum-salary offer sheet with the Pacers as a restricted free agent (the Suns quickly matched), but as Deveney writes, he could waive it if he wants a fresh start.
“Ayton always made the most sense as a return piece for (the Nets),” the West exec said, per Deveney. “There might have been more to the talks between those teams in the summer if his contract situation wasn’t what it was. But, what else would Phoenix give up?”
Deveney believes the Nets would want Mikal Bridges in addition to Ayton, but speculates that a package of Ayton, Cameron Johnson and Jae Crowder might be enough to get a deal done.
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Ben Simmons will come off the bench against the Clippers on Saturday for the third straight game, writes Chris Milholen of Inside The Nets. Simmons has been on a minutes restriction after returning from a four-game absence due to knee soreness and swelling, but head coach Jacque Vaughn said he’s hopeful he’ll gradually be able to increase Simmons’ minutes, per Milholen.
- Forward Yuta Watanabe is currently dealing with a sprained ankle, which has caused him to miss Brooklyn’s blowout victory over the Knicks on Wednesday. Vaughn told reporters, including ESPN’s Nick Friedell (Twitter link), that Watanabe is unlikely to play in the Nets’ upcoming road games this weekend in Los Angeles, a back-to-back set against the Clippers and Lakers.
- The Nets announced on Friday that forward T.J. Warren, who has yet to make his debut in 2022/23, has begun taking contact with coaches in practices recently. The team is hopeful he’ll participate in contact practices with teammates within the next couple weeks, and Brooklyn will provide another update on his status in two weeks (Twitter link via Friedell). Warren signed a minimum-salary deal as a free agent with the Nets and has appeared in just four games since ’20/21 after undergoing consecutive foot surgeries.
Simmons needs some reps still, and Warren is sorely needed. Durant has a heavy load to haul without Irving & Warren. Nice to see Harris picking it up as of late also. Big ? With him going into the season
Not a Nets fan. And really don’t care if they implode. But at 5-7 and no Kyrie or Ben. They are right there with Sixers, Heat, Bulls, TWolves. Pelicans, Warriors. And no one is losing their mind over them.
It’s called a Season for a reason. Plenty of time to get this right. Even if it means trading KD. The contenders will rise after all star break. And the pretenders will start to fold. Enjoy the games ……
If GMKD had real ones. He’d push for a Westbrook trade. Give them Kyrie and get those two draft picks. KD knows how to play with Russ. They can recreate that success of OKC. And blow it up in Bklyn. See that’s really showing up Bron. Which is what he’s always wanted to do. Show us KD ……
2 unprotected draft picks for Irving
Man , pass that blunt brotha you”ve had enough
The Brown for Durant thing is ridiculous. Enough already.
From brooklyns perspective they’ve definitely tried going from Brook Lopez to Dlo to Kyrie and Kd then adding Harden, then swapping Harden for Simmons it all just hasn’t worked.
As the article says after starting 1-5 they now sit 5-7, you just sacked your head coach, KD is now 34, your second best player is more interested in controversy than corner threes and your third best player is scared to drive to the rim.
Maybe you just say hey we tried but now it’s time for a rebuild.
KD and Warren for Ayton, Johnson and Crowder.
Then
Nets: Dlo, Duncan Robinson and 2 firsts (Miami both lottery protected)
TWolves: Kyle Lowry
Heat: Kyrie Irving, Jae Crowder and Royce ONeale
Leaving you with something like this
Dlo Harris Johnson Simmons Ayton
Bench Mills Thomas Robinson Morris Claxton
Brooklyn has something that resembles a young core and potentially could be a play in side too.
The other teams aren’t mad for these deal either.
Suns get KD and he probably pushes them over the further in their hunt for getting a chip. Plus he fits the timeline of win now with CP3 there. Plus TJ Warren could be a great addition to the bench for them.
TWolves get the veteran point guard they desperately need aswell in Lowry who also helps the defence.
Miami gets Kyrie who I think Butler Bam Spo and Pat Riley can make work similarly to Bron and Ty Lue got him to work in Cleveland. They also get a couple options at PF in ONeale and Crowder.
Two guys perfect for their system 3 and D with that hard physical style.
Miami would also be a huge contender with Kyrie Oladipo Butler ONeale Bam and a bench of Strus Herro Martin Crowder Dedmon.
Crazy we live in an era of the NBA where 16 and 10 with one block gets you a max contract.