Report: Grizzlies showing interest in Durant

A new team has emerged in the Kevin Durant trade sweepstakes.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Memphis Grizzlies have made inquires to the Nets regarding a trade for the 12-time All-Star. The Grizzlies have five first-round picks available (four of their own and one 2024 protected pick from the Golden State Warriors) in addition to several young players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Ziaire Williams, and Brandon Clarke.

At this time, the Grizzlies are not interested in including Jackson or Bane in any potential offers for Durant, but prefer to build a package around their surplus of draft picks.

A new Western Conference contender is expressing interest in Kevin Durant – fresh Inside Pass at @TheAthletic breaking down the latest on the Nets star:https://t.co/hprnn3hXj1

The Grizzlies join several other teams who are rumoured to be interested in Durant. The Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat reportedly remain the most serious threats to complete a Durant trade as they have the pieces necessary to meet the Nets' asking price.

However, conversations with the three front-runners have stalled as the Raptors have refused to make Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes available, Miami has yet to include Bam Adebayo in any of their discussions, while the Nets have reportedly rejected the Celtics' offer of All-Star Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and a first-round pick.

It has been two weeks since Durant re-iterated his desire to be traded to Nets' owner Joseph Tsai and suggested that the franchise would need to choose between him and head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks. It was first reported that Durant had requested a trade in June.

Durant is entering the first year of a four-year