So much for the Brooklyn Nets' status as basketball's sleeping juggernaut.
After Kevin Durant rocked the basketball world on Thursday by requesting a trade, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Brooklyn is prepared to engage in trade discussions for every player currently on the roster.
As the Nets prepare to move one of the most valuable trade assets ever on the market, the entire roster will available to discuss in deals, sources tell ESPN. Teams have been calling on Durant, and the Nets will certainly look for a historic return on players and draft picks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
Durant's stunning decision to move on from the Nets comes just three days after Kyrie Irving picked up the player option on his contract for next season, ostensibly signaling the team would continue building around its superstar pair despite their drama-filled, acrimonious tenure since signing with Brooklyn in the summer of 2019.
ESPN reported that neither Durant nor Irving had any contact with Nets management in wake of the latter exercising his option, though, allowing for the possibility that general manager Sean Marks and the front office were aware of this possible outcome before it became public.
Durant, obviously, will fetch one of the biggest trade packages in NBA history, with several first-round picks and at least one promising young prospect likely serving as Brooklyn's starting point in trade talks.
It's hard to believe Irving wants to continue his career with the Nets now, but his value on the open market will pale in comparison to Durant's given the basketball pitfalls of his unique, often controversial persona as well as a long history of injuries.
Ben Simmons, who's still never suited up for Brooklyn after being acquired for James Harden at last season's trade deadline, is a similarly distressed trade asset despite his considerable talents. Don't be surprised if he ultimately remains with the team through the offseason.
Source close to the situation tells @TheAthletic that the Nets are expected to keep Ben Simmons. Some had rightfully wondered if there would be a ripple effect here on the 25-year-old's Nets future. https://t.co/2TnO6n71xI
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 30, 2022
The Nets don't have many valuable trade pieces otherwise. Once Durant gets his wish and is moved for a king's ransom, though, Brooklyn will have a much better idea of how to proceed with a start-from-scratch rebuild that requires a complete roster overhaul.
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