The Brooklyn Nets traded one of their superstars, but it doesn’t look like they’re going to send their other superstar to a different team before this week’s trade deadline.
Kyrie Irving was optioned to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, sparking speculation that Kevin Durant could be the next to go as Brooklyn begins a total makeover.
Instead, ESPN reported Tuesday that Durant and the Nets are having discussions about «the direction of the franchise,» with Brooklyn telling interested teams that they plan to stick with him.
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Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant dunks during the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons on December 12, 2021 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Phoenix Suns were reported to be among the teams that contacted the Nets following the Irving deal, and Durant seemed interested in them last offseason as well.
However, the Nets don’t seem willing to let go of Durant, who signed a four-year, $194 million extension in the offseason.
Durant is committed to the Nets through 2026, when he will become a free agent at age 38. But, like Irving and James Harden, Durant has been questioning the direction of the Nets for quite some time and has reportedly requested a trade in the past.
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With Irving traded, Durant is the last one standing from the offseason leading up to the 2019-2020 season, when both players decided to join the Nets in hopes of building a dynasty. Brooklyn had that in mind as well, trying to build around the two elite scorers.
However, with injuries and off-court controversies getting in the way, the Nets haven’t made it out of the second round of the playoffs since that inaugural season. Durant did not play his first year with Brooklyn because he was recovering from a torn Achilles tendon from the previous season with the Golden State Warriors.
Kevin Durant (7) walking down the court between teammates Kyrie Irving, left, and Edmond Sumner, right, in a game against the Washington Wizards. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Discussions between Durant and the Nets will likely revolve around how the organization intends to keep its championship window alive. Durant has his NBA Finals rings and MVP awards, and he wants to keep racking up hardware.
It’s hard to replace someone like Irving, who was named an All-Star starter after averaging 27.1 points in 40 games this season. The Nets brought back Spencer Dinwiddie in the Dallas deal and added Dorian Finney-Smith. However, both players are dealing with injuries.
Cam Thomas has emerged from the past two games for the Nets, combining for 91 points, including a 47-point performance in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. Perhaps more court time without Irving could bode well for the second-year pro.
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The Nets hope Ben Simmons can return to his All-Star form. He has averaged just 7.4 points this season. And while Dinwiddie has shown that he can pick up points some nights, he’s averaging 10 fewer points than Irving (17.7).
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) warms up before playing against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida on January 8, 2023. (Michael Laughlin/USA Today Sports)
Durant continues to play at an All-Star level, being named the starter for the East after putting up 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
He has been sidelined with a sprained ACL suffered on January 8, but is expected to return soon.
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The NBA trade deadline is 3 p.m. Thursday.