News broke shortly before NBA free agency opened that Kevin Durant has requested a trade out of Brooklyn, sending shockwaves through The Association just before contracts could be agreed upon.
That likely won’t be the only bombshell coming out of Brooklyn in the near future.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on air on Thursday that with Durant seemingly on his way out the door, Kyrie Irving’s Nets tenure is likely over as well, despite opting into his contract last week. Per Wojnarowski, the star duo would like to continue playing together, but not with the Nets.
“[Durant] had not been in contact with the team for weeks, and after Kyrie Irving opted into his contract last week, neither Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant were in communication with the team,” Wojnarowski said.
“I think every much everybody is in play. I think it’s very likely that not only Kevin Durant, but Kyrie Irving have played their last games for the Nets.”
It appears the Nets are headed for a fire sale, but it won’t be so simple. The Rockets own Brooklyn’s first-round picks, or can swap first rounders, for each of the next five years, and none of those picks are protected, meaning if the Nets decided to wipe the slate and rebuild, tanking for higher draft picks would serve them no benefit.
So, expect Sean Marks and company to ask for established NBA players in potential returns for Durant and Irving, who both appear to be on their way out after teaming up three years ago to the day.
“If Durant is traded,” Wojnarowski said. “They will work very hard to move Irving.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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