Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have expressed their desire to leave and have communicated their decision to the Brooklyn Nets’ front office. But, the latter don’t want anyone to lowball them. The Nets want something worthwhile for both of them. They are the team’s best players and after the Rudy Gobert trade, things have got a bit more expensive.
Many insiders have noted this, but fans still think some movement is possible. One of the insiders. Brandon Robinson has silenced the trade rumors that have come out since. According to him, the Nets are being no pushovers in the trade negotiations and they would rather run it back.
Kyrie-KD trade rumors as told by a Nets staffer to me: “That’s last weeks news. The Nets ain’t trying to move KD & Kyrie for no bullsh*t.” https://t.co/7joFub97BP
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) July 11, 2022
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Durant, Kyrie, and Ben Simmons are a trio that hasn’t been tested yet. Many teams want Durant, but that involves gutting their team somewhat. A Toronto trade might involve Scottie Barnes, which the franchise doesn’t want. Robinson has stated that any business with the Pelicans will probably involve Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance. The journalist has said that the Nets think that the teams are lowballing them.
Even with Kyrie, the Nets want more than what the Los Angeles Lakers are offering. They are offering Russell Westbrook for Irving. But, the Nets probably want their draft picks and Anthony Davis. Negotiations have been at a deadlock since.
Robinson has also put up the Los Angeles Clippers as an option. According to him, Irving has repaired his relationship with current Clippers coach Ty Lue. Lue was Cleveland’s coach when they won the title in 2016.
Kevin Durant-led Nets project has imploded after just three years
The Durant and Kyrie project was started by Nets owner Joseph Tsai. The owner also appointed rookie coach Steve Nash at their request. But, the project imploded after just three years. They brought James Harden in 2020 but ended up losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 Conference Semi-Finals. Irving’s absence at the start of the 2021-22 season affected them badly.
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The Nets were the favorites to qualify out of the East this season. Instead, they lost James Harden to the 76ers and had to bring in an injured Ben Simmons. It led to them getting embarrassed by a young Boston Celtics side in the first round of the playoffs.
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Will the Nets’ project succeed next season? It all depends on what Durant and Kyrie want. The Nets have no obligation to bid farewell to them yet.