Credit: theringer
5. Golden State Warriors
Credit: sportsnet
The defending champs are a wild card in this free agency because of their leverage over the entire league, as they have an abundance of draft capital and are loaded with young talent. Golden State is not Durant’s top option for several obvious reasons, but they would have the best offer for Brooklyn’s liking. With young talent like James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, Jordan Poole, and Andrew Wiggins, the Nets would not hesitate if offered a deal including three of those young stars on top of multiple first round draft picks.
From Bob Meyers and the Warriors’ point of view, this trade makes no sense. Considering the potential of Wiseman and Kuminga as well as the proven abilities of Poole and Wiggins, Golden State could easily be atop this league for the next decade if they do not screw things up. Trading for someone like Kevin Durant with the intent to win immediately is extremely unnecessary, especially considering the Warriors’ have proven they can win now. Ultimately, the Warriors are the #1 option for the Nets but should avoid this trade at all costs.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
Credit: clutchpoints
After an underwhelming 2021-2022 NBA season, the Clippers acquired John Wall in free agency to pair with all-stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Los Angeles also re-signed Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum, putting themselves in position to be title contenders once again this upcoming season. The one concern for this Clippers team is health and durability, as Leonard, George, and Wall are all historically proven to be injury prone. George has had gruesome injuries in the past and was constantly injured last season, Wall has not played in an NBA game since April 23, 2021, and Leonard has not played in an NBA game since June 14, 2021 and is coming off an ACL tear.
If the Clippers want to make a title push, the best move they can make would be to send Paul George, Terrance Mann, Luke Kennard, and multiple first round picks for Kevin Durant. They would lose some key bench players by trading Mann and Kennard but in the big picture, Durant would instantly turn them into the favorites to win it all.
3. Portland Trailblazers
Credit: draftkingsnation
Considering a recent post on his Instagram story where Kevin Durant is wearing a Trailblazers jersey, Blazers’ all-star Damian Lillard appears to be very intrigued by Kevin Durant’s recent trade request. Last season, Portland traded guard CJ McCollum to the Pelicans in exchange for Josh Hart, a first-round pick, and two second-round picks. Additionally, young talents Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkić recently signed extensions with Portland and for Brooklyn to consider trading Durant, either Simons or Nurkić would have to involved.
Portland should consider trading for Durant this offseason as Damian Lillard has proven he cannot make the NBA Finals without another superstar, but they must be careful with who they trade away. Anfernee Simons took the league by storm last season without Lillard on the court and has shown immense potential, so the Blazers should consider trading Jusuf Nurkić, Josh Hart, Shaedon Sharpe, and three first-round picks for Durant. If Brooklyn declines, then Portland will have to go a different route this offseason but that may be the best they can offer without compromising their future.
2. Miami Heat
Credit: hoopswallpapers
For the past three years, the Miami Heat have been one of the deepest teams in basketball but continue to fall short in the postseason. Simply put, all-star Jimmy Butler needs a dependable co-star. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro have shown star-like ability but have yet to play at that level in the playoffs, and Kyle Lowry is a nice veteran point guard but is far beyond his prime. The Heat have the pieces to trade for Durant and it will be up to Pat Riley, Heat President, if he wants to win now at the expense of the team’s success down the line.
Miami could package Bam Adebayo, Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson, and two first-round picks for Kevin Durant. The Heat would still have key role players including Max Strus and Gabe Vincent, as well as star players like Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry, so such a blockbuster trade may not be such a terrible idea for the boys in South Beach.
1. Phoenix Suns
Credit: nbaanalysisnetwork
In light of their all-time embarrassing loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Suns need to make a splash this offseason to maximize Chris Paul’s remaining years in the NBA. Unfortunately for Suns’ fans, Deandre Ayton has shown no interest in returning to Phoenix next season if he is not offered a max contract so a sign-and-trade with Ayton should be anticipated as well.
If Phoenix is willing to go “all-in” this offseason, they could trade Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Deandre Ayton (sign-and-trade), and two first-round picks for Durant. The Nets have suggested that they would be unwilling to send Durant to Phoenix if Devin Booker is not part of the trade package, but if the Suns offered a similar deal to the one listed above, it would be shocking if Brooklyn turned it down.
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