Kevin Durant Mirroring Kobe Bryant? Does the 7 Ft “Sniper” Need His Own Pau Gasol at the Nets to Convince Him To Stay?

Kevin Durant has handed in a trade request to the Brooklyn Nets. The trade saga continues to twist and turn each day. And now the rumors have taken a u-turn again. The Nets clearly are not in favor of losing either Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving. But they can?t have another James Harden situation. So they might have to choose. As it stands, KD finds himself in a similar situation to what Kobe Bryant faced in 2007. But can the Nets do what the Lakers did??

There was a time when Kobe wanted out of LA. In 2007, Kobe Bryant first desired to leave the Los Angeles Lakers. The first and probably the last time. The Lakers were adamant to keep Kobe for the legend he was. Kobe, however, wanted a new challenge as he was yet to win an NBA title without Shaquille O?Neal. Kobe was probably the best player in the league at the time. He led the league in scoring in 2005-06 and 2006-07. So it was understandable why the Lakers were desperate to keep him.

The Chicago Bulls was his desired location. But there was another dynamic involved. Kobe admired Pau Gasol. The two players had a good relationship off the court and both wanted to play with each other. With Paul also in a similar situation at the Memphis Grizzlies, Kobe and Pau both wanted to play for the same team. The Lakers recognized this and brought Pau to partner up with Kobe.?

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The very next season, 2008-09, the Lakers won the NBA championship. Moreover, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol led their side to a second title in 2009-10, winning two NBA championships back to back. Now for Kevin Durant to mirror Kobe?s situation, the Brooklyn Nets have to work hard in order to find a ‘Pau Gasol’ for KD. That way they might be able to keep KD. But there aren?t many options that fit the bill and would partner up with KD to become a sure-shot recipe for success.?

The Nets are at crossroads with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving

With Kyrie Irving?s future also uncertain, the Nets might be prepared to lose both of the stars in a matter of days. Kyrie Irving reportedly agreed to opt in for the contract extension worth around $37 million dollars per year.?

But just a day after this news, KD handed in a trade request. In the aftermath of this, the Nets have eventually come to the decision that they are not ready to accommodate Kyrie Irving.

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Now this means that Irving might not get to his desired destination unless the Nets find an offer beneficial for them. With this decision, they hope to keep Kevin Durant.?

Will Irving and Durant play in Brooklyn next season? Where do you think they will end up? Tell us in the comments below.