Nets Telling Teams They Don’t Intend to Trade Kevin Durant

While the interest is certainly high, the Nets appear as if they will hold onto resident star forward Kevin Durant beyond Thursday’s trade deadline.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Brooklyn has been telling suitors that Durant is staying put.

Interest in Durant began after the Nets dealt point guard Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks, a deal that became official Monday. That led some to believe, apparently, that Durant may want out. But there is no indication Durant will submit a trade request himself.

With less than 48 hours to go before the deadline, Durant and the Nets are having “ongoing conversations” about the immediate future of the franchise, per Wojnarowski. As it stands, the Nets are reportedly engaged in trade talks with the Raptors, as well as several others.

Earlier reports have suggested what Wojnarowski reported — that the Nets do not intend to trade Durant before the deadline.

Durant has an interest in a deal with the Suns over the summer, and as we relayed here, the Suns were again preparing a package in the event Durant became available. But again, that does not appear to be the case. One report suggested that the Celtics were also again interested and potentially dangling guard/forward Jaylen Brown.

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 in 39 games, shooting 56 percent from the field and 38 percent on 3-pointers, 

Durant had interest in a deal to the Suns over the summer, but so far the Nets haven't shown a willingness to move him to Phoenix or anywhere else, sources tell ESPN. There have been a number of teams reaching out to Brooklyn on Durant. https://t.co/xYvo5rGZCY

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2023