Report: Some with 76ers “felt strongly” about exploring Durant trade

Kevin Durant will get his wish — a trade out of Brooklyn. More than one of the game’s greatest scorers ever, Durant also understands how to play the game off the court: He knew a “me or Steve Nash and Sean Marks” ultimatum — and especially leaking it publically — would result in Nets owner Joe Tsai backing his coach and GM. However, Durant may have miscalculated if he thought that added pressure would speed up the process. No team will take the Nets off the hook now and increase their offer.

Three teams are known to be in the mix for Durant: Miami, Boston, and Toronto.

Some in the 76ers front office would like to get in that group, reports Ian Begley of SNY.TV.

As of earlier this week, there were high-ranking members of the Sixers who’ve felt strongly about engaging with Brooklyn on a Durant trade. It is unknown if Brooklyn and Philadelphia have made any recent progress on a trade…

The Sixers would almost certainly have to include Tyrese Maxey in a trade for Durant. Given the dynamics at play, you’d think that Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle and other players/draft picks would be included.

76ers GM Daryl Morey is a big game hunter, and this rumor shouldn’t be a shock.

Before going all-in on the Durant trade idea, Philadelphia has a couple of questions it needs to ask itself. First, after Harden forced his way out in Brooklyn, are he and Durant all good and willing to be teammates again? Maybe so. Maybe Harden’s move out of NYC was born out of frustration with Kyrie Irving and the Nets organization, not Durant. But the 76ers need to be sure.

Second, after upgrades this summer with P.J. Tucker, Danuel House and DeAnthony Melton, the 76ers are already contenders. Do they want to mess with that? No doubt a healthy Durant is