The Brooklyn Nets have had a tough few weeks filled with rumors of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant leaving. Irving opted into his player option on Monday, but Durant shockingly requested a trade.
Durant is one of the best players in the NBA, and many teams will be interested in acquiring the superstar. Brooklyn will be looking to get back a great package for Durant.
KD is coming off a great season, where he averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. He shot 51.8 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from behind the arc. The 12-time All-Star hasn't been past the second round of the postseason since leaving the Golden State Warriors.
With that said, here are the three best destinations for Kevin Durant ranked.
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Kevin Durant Trade Destinations
A team that could be in the mix for Durant is the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers have been trying to put the right pieces around Damian Lillard this offseason, and adding a superstar would make him happy.
Lillard and Durant would be an elite one-two punch and could make a deep playoff run in the Western Conference.
If the Blazers can get a deal for Durant done, they have a shot at competing for a title next season. They have some draft capital that can be used, including four second-round picks in next year's NBA Draft.
2. Miami Heat
One of Durant's preferred destinations is to head to the Miami Heat. A trade for Durant would likely involve Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. However, trading for Adebayo is not possible if Ben Simmons is on the Nets roster. Simmons and Adabeyo both signed rookie extensions, and you can only trade for one player on this deal.
The Nets are not allowed to acquire a player like Bam Adebayo from the Heat because of the Designated Rookie Extension rule.
You cannot have 2 players acquired via a trade that were signed to that type of extension.
Brooklyn already has Ben Simmons. https://t.co/AWvLLVh1Op
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 30, 2022
So, a move to Miami would be complicated. However, if the Nets facilitated Simmons to another team, it could be possible to make a deal like this go down.
If this trade happens Miami will form an elite duo of Jimmy Butler and Durant. Although there are many contenders in the Eastern Conference, a Durant-led Heat team could give any team a run for their money.
1. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are by far the most intriguing and possible scenario for Durant. It is rumored that Durant's top destination on his list is the Phoenix Suns.
However, the Nets will reportedly not do a deal without Devin Booker. Phoenix just extended Booker on a super-max contract to continue his tenure with the Suns for the foreseeable future. While the Nets may want Booker, it's unlikely Phoenix moves him. However, Brooklyn could still get a great offer from the Suns.
Phoenix could send Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Deandre Ayton (via sign-and-trade), plus draft picks for Durant.
This offer gives the Nets three quality young players and draft capital. For the Suns, it's a ton to give up, but you are getting one of the most gifted scorers in NBA history. It would form a big three with Chris Paul, Booker, and Durant.
While the depth would be decreased, Phoenix would have a potent team that could compete with any team in the league.
Durant will have interest from many different teams in the offseason, and it will be interesting to see what goes down. The Nets will be looking to get assets for their rebuild, while Durant hopes to go to a contender. The NBA offseason is just heating up and getting started.
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