11 Kevin Durant trades that make sense

Kevin Durant’s commerce request has been caught in limbo since he initially requested out from the Brooklyn Nets on June 30. Whereas the bulk league reportedly referred to as inquiring about Durant, no team has approached the Nets’ asking price to this point. There has reportedly been little momentum constructing in direction of a Durant commerce up to now, however issues may begin getting extra severe with coaching camps across the league set to open on Sept. 26.

4 groups have been talked about as the primary Durant suitors: the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, and Boston Celtics. Phoenix is Durant’s most well-liked vacation spot so he can play alongside Devin Booker, however the Suns reportedly have not yet included the significant draft compensation Brooklyn is looking for. Boston’s supply headlined by Jaylen Brown is without doubt one of the juiciest rumors of the Durant sweepstakes but, however the Nets are nonetheless holding out for extra.

Durant has reportedly held agency on his need to go to a brand new crew whilst Brooklyn has dragged out the method. With Durant nonetheless in the marketplace, we got here up with a handful of commerce affords Brooklyn must contemplate. For the sake of simplicity, all of those are two-team offers (we wrote about an outlandish potential five-team trade for Durant earlier this month), and none of them violate the Designated Rookie Rule that limits Brooklyn’s attainable return if Ben Simmons remains to be on the roster.

Boston Celtics’ finest commerce supply for Kevin Durant

Boston consists of two future first spherical picks and a choose swap.

The Nets reportedly want Marcus Smart in this deal, and will definitely press Boston for each draft choose and choose swap they’ll get. The Celtics must watch out as a result of they’re already one of many championship favorites as presently constructed, they usually don’t need to risk alienating Brown should he return to the team. Nonetheless, changing Brown with Durant counts as a giant improve, and would vault Boston into the being the title front-runner. It’s a troublesome name to half with Brown, but it surely’s value risking all of it for the Celtics. It’s attainable Brown is the perfect younger veteran out there to the Nets in any deal.

2 Toronto Raptors trades for Kevin Durant

Toronto consists of one future first spherical choose and a choose swap.

The Raptors can doubtless trump any supply for Durant in the event that they’re keen to incorporate reigning Rookie of the 12 months Scottie Barnes. Toronto has reportedly been hesitant to try this thus far, and there are avenues to a deal that don’t embrace Barnes. The query is that if Toronto’s finest non-Barnes supply remains to be sufficient to beat out each different Durant suitor.

If the Raptors gained’t embrace Barnes in a deal, right here’s what their supply may appear to be:

Toronto consists of 4 future first spherical picks and a choose swap.

The Raptors’ finest non-Barnes supply ought to nonetheless get them to the desk with the Nets. We used Anunoby over Pascal Siakam on this supply as a result of he’s youthful and is taking part in on a extra team-friendly contract. This commerce would give the Nets’ two potential starters, however until Anunoby has one other large leap coming, it most likely gained’t fulfill Brooklyn’s need to land a younger All-Star in any KD commerce.

Miami Warmth’s finest commerce supply for Kevin Durant

Miami consists of two future first spherical picks and choose swaps.

Miami’s precise finest supply would come with Bam Adebayo, however the Nets can’t commerce for him until they deal Ben Simmons first due to the NBA’s obscure Designated Rookie Rule. It’s arduous to see how a deal constructed round Herro has sufficient juice to get the job achieved, particularly as a result of Miami has restricted draft capital to commerce. The Warmth must get inventive to land Durant, however Pat Riley often finds a method.

Phoenix Suns’ finest commerce supply for Kevin Durant

Phoenix consists of 4 future first spherical picks and choose swaps.

We all know Durant desires the Suns. Is Phoenix keen to do what it takes to get Durant? The one method this will get achieved is that if the Suns supply 4 unprotected first spherical draft picks, and juices the take care of much more choose swaps. Hey, Phoenix GM James Jones mentioned he doesn’t care about picks, proper? We predict the Suns ought to completely pull the set off on this — and that they are going to remorse it in the event that they don’t. The query is that if this supply is even ok to beat out everybody else.

The Celtics, Suns, Raptors, and Warmth are the 4 groups most frequently talked about as Durant suitors, but it surely’s attainable different groups may attempt to get within the combine. Listed here are some weirder and fewer doubtless KD offers.

Memphis Grizzlies’ finest commerce supply for Kevin Durant

Memphis consists of 4 future first spherical picks and choose swaps.

Would the Grizzlies have to incorporate Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. to get a Durant deal achieved? It will actually really feel just like the strongest supply of any potential suitor if it occurs, however that feels prefer it’s too wealthy for Memphis’ blood. A deal constructed round Bane and a ton of picks remains to be a fairly good supply. Signal me up for a KD x Ja Morant pairing.

New Orleans consists of three future first spherical picks and choose swaps.

The Pelicans can put collectively an especially aggressive supply for Durant. Ingram would match what Brooklyn is in search of as a younger All-Star, and the crew can be loaded with future draft capital. It stays to be seen whether or not KD would really need to play in New Orleans, however with Zion Williamson coming again, the Pelicans may very well be a official championship contender with Durant.

Chicago Bulls’ finest commerce supply for Kevin Durant

Chicago consists of two future first spherical picks and choose swaps.

Durant reportedly desires to play with two different All-Stars, and the Bulls would supply that with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. The one drawback is Chicago has simply two future draft picks to supply, which most likely isn’t getting it achieved. Ball is a pleasant piece if he can show he’s wholesome, and Patrick Williams has a load of potential. If Brooklyn is excessive on Williams and Chicago’s different prime younger expertise, Ayo Dosunmu, the Bulls may presumably get a seat on the desk with this supply even when different groups can beat it.

New York Knicks’ finest commerce supply for Kevin Durant

New York consists of 5 future first spherical picks and choose swaps.

The Nets usually are not buying and selling Durant to the Knicks, however their crosstown rivals may put collectively a fairly good package deal. Barrett, Quickley, and Toppin are stable younger items, and New York additionally has a ton of future picks to supply from themselves and different groups. This deal is a fantasy, but it surely positive can be enjoyable. Anticipate the Knicks to make use of their belongings to make a play for Donovan Mitchell as a substitute.

Atlanta Hawks’ finest commerce supply for Kevin Durant

Atlanta’s future draft compensation is restricted after pulling off an enormous deal for Dejounte Murray, however they do have some interesting younger gamers on the roster to doubtlessly get on the desk. If the Hawks have been to get severe about Durant, it might doubtless must be a multi-team commerce.

Los Angeles Lakers’ finest commerce supply from Kevin Durant

Los Angeles consists of two future first spherical picks and choose swaps.

All the excitement between the Nets and Lakers has been centered round Kyrie Irving if Durant will get moved elsewhere. Right here’s my query: why wouldn’t the Lakers supply Anthony Davis for Durant? The Lakers don’t have sufficient future draft capital to get within the room for each of Brooklyn’s superstars, however the Nets’ ears must perk up if Davis is on the desk.