On Thursday, the NBA world was turned on its head. It was supposed to be all about NBA free agency opening up and player movement. Instead, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant stole the show. He officially requested a trade from the Nets, sending shockwaves through the NBA.
Last summer, Durant signed a four-year $198 million extension to stay with the team. It was believed his place in Brooklyn was secure. However, the Kyrie Irving situation appeared to have an impact. As recent as a week ago, it was not known whether or not Irving was going to opt-in or if he was going to request a trade himself. Finally on Monday, Irving opted in though. Nets fans probably thought they could breath a sigh of relief. Instead, they feel like the world is ending and took to social media to express that.
This has to be the worst year in Nets history.
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) June 30, 2022
“The loss of arguably the game’s greatest player represents the single greatest failure by ownership and management in NBA history.”
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) June 30, 2022
Three years to the day. Clean Sweep undone
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) June 30, 2022
If Kevin Durant has 1 million haters I’m one of them
If Kevin Durant has 1 hater it’s me
If Kevin Durant has 0 haters I’m dead— WAGGIE (@seatownletsride) June 30, 2022
Some people had a bit more of a comical approach.
That’s a lot of Kevin Durant Ongoing Spaces on twitter 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Unbelievable 😂
— Best I Ever Had (@EmmanuelOpokuDa) June 30, 2022
If I was Kevin Durant, I would be asking to be traded to the Big Ten.
— Sam Ali (@SamAliSports) June 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/Bball_Debates23/status/1542596692041764870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1542596692041764870%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D1757936action%3Dedit
Rumour has it Kevin Durant is signing with the @LIVGolfInv Tour
— Jordan Trafford (@JordanTrafford_) June 30, 2022
However fans feel, the fact of the matter is Kevin Durant has likely played his last game in Brooklyn. The question that remains is where will he be traded. The Nets do not have much reason to do him any favors. It's been reported that Durant has two preferred destinations, the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns. But again, the Nets do not need to acquiesce to that demand.
The Houston Rockets currently hold a ton of draft capital. The Philadelphia 76ers have a number of young talented assets and some picks available. Make no mistake, the Nets organization is probably feeling a bit betrayed and will do what is best for the team.