Kevin Durant Trade Rumors: Nets Aren’t Actively Shopping KD, Deal Unlikely Soon

It’s been three weeks since Kevin Durant requested a trade, and it doesn’t sound like the superstar is anywhere close to being moved. Barring an unforeseen offer from another team, the Brooklyn Nets are expected to keep Durant on the roster for the near future.

Trade talks involving Durant have slowed down, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Brooklyn is still listening to offers, but the Nets are not aggressively calling teams and trying to move their best player.

With the start of the 2022-23 season three months away, the Nets are unlikely to begin actively shopping Durant anytime soon.

Brooklyn doesn’t seem to completely understand why Durant asked for a trade, according to Windhorst, and the 33-year-old hasn’t commented publicly about why he wants to be sent elsewhere. The Nets could be hoping that Durant decides that his best option is to stay in Brooklyn, where he signed a four-year extension just one year ago.

Most of the league has reportedly expressed an interest in trading for Durant, but none of those teams have come close to meeting Brooklyn’s asking price. The Nets are reportedly seeking at least one All-Star caliber player, if not two, in addition to first-round draft picks.

For example, the Nets asked the Minnesota Timberwolves for Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and four draft picks in exchange for Durant, according to Yahoo Sports’ Vince Goodwill.

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly Durant’s preferred destination. Deandre Ayton, who was expected to be the centerpiece of the Suns’ offer to the Nets, now can’t be traded until January after signing a new contract with Phoenix.

The Miami Heat are also on Durant’s wish list. While Miami is still focused on trying to acquire Durant, the Heat probably don’t have enough assets to make a deal work. Bam Adebayo, Miami’s most valuable trade piece, isn’t allowed to be sent to Brooklyn as long as Ben Simmons is still on the Nets’ roster.

Maybe trade discussions will pick up as training camp gets closer, but the Nets are in no rush to blow up a team that is still considered to be a championship contender.