“Kevin Durant informed Joe Tsai that he does not have faith in the Nets’ direction. The meeting was described as transparent and professional, with a clear message: Keep me — or the GM and coach,” via The Athletic.
Durant and the Nets seem to have reached an impasse, which was supposedly the reason for the meeting between Tsai and Durant. However, if half the league has called the Nets about Durant and they still cannot finalize anything, the prospect for Durant on another team looks thin.
In the end, Durant can only request that the Nets trade him. His four-year, $190 million extension kicks in this season. Things aren’t as sunny as they were in 2016, when he was a free agent and joined the Golden State Warriors. Durant cannot get away scot-free.
Some reports indicate that the former MVP sees Philadelphia as a landing spot. He would also like to play alongside the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, of the Boston Celtics.
Durant’s request is unrealistic as the Nets are going to make sure they scrape every asset worth getting from the eventual trade partner. The Nets have reportedly requested Joel Embiid in this trade, likely making that prospect implausible.