Kevin Durant recently requested a trade and many NBA teams are preparing trade packages to acquire the superstar. Many felt as if the Brooklyn Nets were ready to run it back after Kyrie Irving opted into his player option. But it now appears that both Irving and KD are destined to leave Brooklyn via trade. But where will they end up? One team that could be an under-the-radar destination for Durant is the Portland Trail Blazers.
Damian Lillard generated press for Portland after posting an image of Kevin Durant photoshopped in a Blazers uniform.
Damian Lillard posted this photo with Kevin Durant on Instagram đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/a5DpWxqaqA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 25, 2022
However, does Portland have the resources to make this trade a reality? Could the Blazers shock the NBA world and acquire Durant?
Let's take a look at the perfect trade Portland must offer the Nets for KD.
Perfect trade Blazers must offer Nets for Kevin Durant
The trade
Contract matching will be an issue for every team involved in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. According to Spotrac, he is owed over $44 million in 2022-2023. His deal also features a rising salary that will see him make almost $55 million dollars in the final year of his contract in 2025-2026.
So once again, contract matching is a problematic factor in any potential trade.
But is there an offer that would both work financially and attract the Nets interest?
The conversation begins with Anfernee Simons. Simons broke out in a major way last season. He averaged over 17 points and 4 assists while shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc. He is an emerging star without question. As a result, Simons was rewarded with a 4-year, $100 million dollar contract to open free agency by the Blazers.
He would likely be the centerpiece in any Kevin Durant deal to Portland. He is young, talented, and his contract would help from a financial perspective.
2022 7th overall NBA Draft pick Shaedon Sharpe is another intriguing trade chip. Sharpe did not play in college despite committing to the Kentucky Wildcats. This led to concern about his future in basketball. But the talent is immense so the Blazers took a shot on him in the draft.
And he would need to be included in this trade.
But the Blazers would need to add more NBA talent in order to match KD's monetary figures. Eric Bledsoe is owed $17.5 million this season and is a fairly enticing trade chip. He is someone the Nets could utilize next season. And even if the Nets didn't want Bledsoe, they could acquire him and then buyout his contract. Bledsoe's contract makes this trade a real possibility.
And finally, the Blazers would have to add picks in order to fully entice Brooklyn.
Could it happen?
The Warriors and Lakers have been tossed around in KD trade rumors. That alone makes the Blazers profile as a realistic landing destination. Pairing Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard together would automatically make the Blazers contenders. A return of Jusuf Nurkic would only make Portland more dangerous.
The Blazers can make this happen. No, it won't be easy. There are going to be plenty of teams inquiring about Durant. But Portland features the resources to make it work and Durant would surely be open to playing alongside Damian Lillard. After all, Lillard is one of the best players in the NBA when healthy.
It will be interesting to follow the Blazers pursuit of KD.
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