By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nearly half of the NBA teams have reportedly at least inquired with the Brooklyn Nets about Kevin Durant.
The Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Atlanta Hawks were named as teams showing interest in the two-time NBA champion by Shams Charania on the latest Inside Pass posted on The Athletic. Apart from initial talks, none of those discussions gained real traction.
The Boston Celtics have been considered an interested party theoretically capable of meeting the demands of the Nets. However, they haven’t neared a deal, added Charania. More teams popping out in recent weeks were the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards.
The Brooklyn organization seems content in moving forward with Durant on board. Whether the approach is genuine or actually a waiting game for the best possible compensation remains to be seen closer to the start of the training camp and the 2022-23 NBA Regular Season.
Durant, 33, is contracted through four more seasons with a total guaranteed salary of $193M. Dominating the summer rumors has been a result of submitting a trade request in late June and resurfacing it a couple of weeks ago in the form of demanding the Nets fire head coach Steve Nash and GM Sean Marks.
Playing for Brooklyn made out the last couple of seasons, following the three-year stint at the Golden State Warriors producing the 2017 and 2018 championships. Coming out of Texas in 2007, he was selected by the Seattle Supersonics with the second overall pick behind Greg Oden and stayed with the franchise resettling in Oklahoma City until 2016.
Photo Credit: Getty Images