Report: Kevin Durant requests trade from Nets, prefers Suns or Heat

Kyrie Irving opting in with the Nets was, in fact, not the end of the drama in Brooklyn.

Kevin Durant – whose commitment to the team had been questioned during the latest Irving saga – requested a trade.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

Durant requested a trade with the team today, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/BkNEHwkrc0

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Phoenix and Miami are among two of the teams that Kevin Durant has on his wish list, sources tell ESPN, but the Nets plan to move Durant where they can get the best possible deal. With four years on his contract, there's no shortage of teams willing to unload assets for Durant.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving had no contact with the franchise after Irving opted into his deal on Monday, and a sense of inevitability existed that Durant would eventually ask for a trade, sources tell ESPN. It happened today.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

This is a bombshell that completely disrupts the NBA landscape. To the point activity when free agency opens tonight could be slowed as teams plot to get Durant.

The 33-year-old is arguably the best basketball player in the world. Players anywhere near this good nearly never become available via trade.

With four years left on his contract, Durant has minimal tangible leverage where he goes. But, as his former Nets teammate James Harden said, NBA stars can mostly control their own destiny. Durant and Rich Kleiman will certainly push however they can to get Durant to a preferred destination.

If they land Durant without losing Chris Paul or Devin Booker, the Suns would immediately become championship favorites. That’s a spectacular and balanced star trio. Phoenix restricted