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- Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant just absolutely shook the entire NBA world to its core.
- The 12-time NBA All-Star and future Hall of Famer has reportedly requested a trade.
- ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Nets are expected to honor that request.
The NBA just got absolutely turned on its head.
And that’s before free agency even begins at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday night.
Twelve-time NBA All-Star and Brooklyn Nets superstar forward Kevin Durant has requested a trade, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Kevin Durant has requested a trade out of Brooklyn, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski went even further, saying that Brooklyn GM Sean Marks is working Durant’s business manager, Rich Kleiman, to secure a move.
Brooklyn Nets GM Sean Marks is working with Kevin Durant and his business manager Rich Kleiman on finding a trade for the franchise star, Kleiman tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are Durant’s preferred destination according to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer and Yahoo’s Chris Haynes.
On Monday, as the league prepared for Kevin Durant to potentially request a trade during the Kyrie opt-in saga, Phoenix and Miami were often mentioned as the All-Star's perceived favorite landing spots.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 30, 2022
Kevin Durant has the Phoenix Suns listed as a preferred trade destination, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2022
The move comes just days after superstar point guard Kyrie Irving opted in to the final year of his max contract with the Nets. The prevailing feeling among fans was that that would ensure Durant stayed in Brooklyn as well. Though apparently that was not the case.
If Durant winds up in Phoenix, the return for the Nets could well include DeAndre Ayton. Ayton is a restricted free agent. Reports state the Suns will not match match any offer sheet he receives. Though he could be part of a sign-and-trade deal for Durant.
SOURCES: Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte and one mystery team have expressed interest in Suns Center DeAndre Ayton.
Suns brass reportedly will not match the offer sheet they are projecting Ayton to receive from other teams. pic.twitter.com/PvsgKFeRJ1
— JACK SETTLEMAN (@jacksettleman) June 30, 2022
Durant’s request puts even more intrigue on Thursday night’s start to free agency. The feeling around the league is that teams appear hesitant to act on any free agents until Durant’s destination is set.