While some reports suggest otherwise, the Nets are not looking to trade star forward Kevin Durant ahead of Thursday’s deadline, sources told Hoops Wire.
Instead, it appears they want to continue to add pieces around Durant following Sunday’s blockbuster deal that sent point guard Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks. And the Nets may be open to moving guard Spencer Dinwiddie to help make it happen, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
“Now for Brooklyn, they want to get back to work,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on the air, via RealGM. “They got the three picks they got in this trade, they have a future Philadelphia first-round pick. They’ll be aggressive with those picks between now and Thursday’s trade deadline to try to get more help around Kevin Durant.
“Quite honestly, this is an organization that wants Kevin Durant to stay committed. Stay the course with this reshaping of this roster. They’re going to continue between now and Thursday to do that.”
The Suns would be among those who would pursue Durant if he were to become available, as we relayed here. But that does not appear to be in the cards. As far as anyone knows, Durant has not requested a trade after the deal with Dallas.
Along with Dinwiddie, Brooklyn is receiving forward Dorian Finney-Smith, and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029. The Nets will also send forward Markieff Morris to the Mavs.
Durant, 34, has been out with a knee injury since Jan. 9 but said he’s hopeful of returning before the mid-February All-Star Game. He is averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists, and shooting 56 percent from the field and 38 percent on 3-pointers, in 39 games.
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