Pelicans Remain Interested In Pursuing Kevin Durant Trade

The Nets are seeking a major haul in a potential Kevin Durant trade, and while he’s been linked to the Celtics, Heat and Raptors, it is the Pelicans that may have the goods.

And the Pelicans remain interested, per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News.

With the likes of Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum on the roster, Pelicans head of basketball operations David Griffin seems to have a good thing going already. But finding a way to land Durant may take it to another level.

As Winfield noted, the Pelicans could put together a strong package, perhaps centered on Ingram, Herbert Jones, Devonte Graham and Jose Alvarado, as well as picks received in trades with the Lakers and Bucks.

Granted, that part of it is speculation — but it’s a valid look at what the Pelicans could offer in an effort to put Durant next to Williamson and McCollum. On paper, it would make New Orleans an even bigger immediate player in the West.

Either way, we can be certain that the Durant rumors are sure to heat up after Durant and Nets owner Joe Tsai held a meeting in which the Nets star reiterated his trade request and gave an ultimatum — either release GM Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash, or trade me, Durant said, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Tsai later sent out a tweet saying that Marks and Nash have his support and that he intends to “make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.”

The Nets have been actively seeking a trade since Durant first put in his request back at the start of free agency, but opposing teams seem to be waiting for them to lower their asking price. 

Prior to the meeting between Durant and Tsai, the Nets reportedly have spoken to nearly every NBA team about a trade. It remains to be seen if Marks will approach things differently in light of the recent news.

Presumably, the Pelicans were among them, and now that Durant’s trade request is considered next level, they may be willing to pounce.