Kevin Durant Praises Russell Westbrook, Calls LeBron James a Top 2 or 3 Player Ever
Nov 14, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Brooklyn Nets Forward Kevin Durant (7) looks on before a NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 12, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Nets forward Kevin Durant had nothing but praise for LeBron James and Russell Westbrook following the Los Angeles Lakers' 116-103 win over Brooklyn on Sunday.
"Top-two player to ever play, top-three player to ever play. It's always going to be excitement when he steps on the floor," Durant said of James, who sat out Sunday's game with a groin injury. "We've been around for so long that people have seen so many battles between us too at a high stage that people look forward to it. It's cool that we're still relevant at an old age."
Nets’ Kevin Durant on Lakers’ LeBron James: “It’s just cool that we’re still relevant at an older age.” pic.twitter.com/SXRsjEFpxx
Durant also threw a good-natured barb at Westbrook, who finished with 14 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and one viral first-quarter block of his former teammate.
"He's just going to hack me the whole time," Durant joked of Westbrook's defense. "We've been doing that s--t since we was 18, 19. But more than anything, to see the role Russ is playing right now, he's just affecting the game in so many different ways. Twelve assists tonight, four turnovers, 14 points, he came in and put his imprint on the game, so it's always fun playing against him, regardless of what setting it is. It's always been like that between us."
Nets’ Kevin Durant on being defended by Lakers’ Russell Westbrook: “He’s just going to hack me the whole time. He’s been doing that s—- since we were 18 or 19.” pic.twitter.com/gQftOpeb90
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Lakers, who entered Sunday night as one of the two worst teams in basketball. They are now just the fourth-worst team in the sport, which is faint praise for a roster featuring three bona fide Hall of Famers.
Durant has spent the early part of his Nets season embroiled in controversy, some of which (the lingering effects of his trade request) was his own doing but most of which (Kyrie Irving's sharing of an antisemitic movie and subsequent fallout, the firing of coach Steve Nash) was not.
The Nets are 6-8 on the season but 4-2 in their last six games.
The 2022-23 NBA season is off to a surprising start for some teams. The Utah Jazz, who traded their three best players in the offseason, are 10-4 and in first...
Kevin Durant Trade Rumors: NBA Exec Says 'No Doubt' 76ers Have Asked Nets About Star
Nov 14, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before the game against the LA Clippers on November 12, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Rumors are beginning to swirl once again that the Brooklyn Nets could end up trading star forward Kevin Durant, and a rival Eastern Conference contender is reportedly interested in acquiring him.
Per Sean Deveney of Heavy.com (h/t Thomas Darro), an NBA executive believes the Philadelphia 76ers have inquired with the Nets about Durant's availability and will continue to be aggressive in their pursuit of the 12-time All-Star.
"There is no doubt the Sixers have asked on Durant, they did in the summer, and will keep asking about him," the executive said.
The executive noted that the recent history between the two teams could create some hesitancy by the Nets. Last season's blockbuster trade involving Ben Simmons and James Harden hasn't worked out at all for Brooklyn, which could rule Philadelphia out of the Durant sweepstakes.
"The Nets are going to be a little put off by them already because of the Ben Simmons thing, because they feel like they were set up to give away James Harden all along," the executive said. "So the Sixers burned them once. Do the Nets want to go back and say, 'OK, sure, we’ll do a KD deal, too.'"
The Sixers have a strong combination of young players to offer the Nets, as the executive believes a package of Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle would be enticing because Brooklyn "might not get a better young player" than Maxey in a deal for Durant. However, Philadelphia isn't able to offer any draft picks in a trade right now, which would likely cause Brooklyn to pass on the package of players.
Darro noted that the possibility of a deal for Durant will increase as more players become trade-eligible closer to the trade deadline in February. Many believe the team is looking to move on from point guard Kyrie Irving following his suspension for posting a link to an antisemitic film on social media, and parting ways with Durant as well would be a complete reset for the franchise.
The Nets (6-7) will go for their third straight win when they face the Los Angeles Lakers (2-10) on Sunday night.
NBA Twitter Raves About Kevin Durant's All-Around Dominance in Nets Win vs. Clippers
Nov 12, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets walks on to the court during the game against the LA Clippers on November 12, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 110-95 on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena for their fourth win in their last five games to move to 6-7 on the season.
Despite getting into foul trouble in the third quarter, Kevin Durant was a significant factor in lifting Brooklyn to victory. The four-time scoring champion finished with 27 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 35 minutes. He made 10 of 16 shots from the floor and three of five shots from deep.
In addition to Durant, Seth Curry put together his second consecutive game with 20-plus points off the bench, finishing with 22 points, three rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes. He made nine of 15 shots from the floor and four of eight attempts from deep.
While Curry appears to be getting into a groove, it was still Durant that was given much of the praise by NBA fans on Twitter:
KD continues to remind those that just say “ he’s a great scorer “ of his all around brilliance!
Kevin Durant is the 1st player to begin a season with 13 straight 25-point games since Michael Jordan began the 1988-89 season with 16 straight. pic.twitter.com/aV16eNZCvZ
I really like this Nets team as is. They're way more locked in on defense, the supporting cast is delivering, Kevin Durant is delivering as Kevin Durant does, and new head coach Jacque Vaughn seems to have found something with this group. This will be a great team this year.
Durant has been on a tear this season. He entered Saturday's game averaging 30.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 blocks in 12 games while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and 32.2 percent from deep.
The Nets are now 4-1 in Kyrie Irving's absence. The veteran point guard was suspended at least five games by the Nets after initially failing to condemn and apologize for posting a link to an antisemitic film on his social media accounts in October.
Pairing elite scorers in the NBA doesn't always lead to success, but they are fun to watch. During the last half-decade, four franchises have featured the...
NBA Twitter Loves Kevin Durant, Nets Playing 'Beautiful Basketball' in Win vs. Knicks
Nov 10, 2022
BROOKLYN, NY - NOVEMBER 9: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts to a play during the game against the New York Knicks on November 9, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
If Jacque Vaughn's first game as head coach without an interim title attached is any indication, there are good things ahead for the Brooklyn Nets.
Brooklyn cruised to a 112-85 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday at Barclays Center and improved to 5-7 on the season. Kyrie Irving missed the game because he is still suspended for promoting an antisemitic film on his social media accounts, but Kevin Durant provided more than enough star power to emerge with a win.
The 12-time All-Star spearheaded the effort with a triple-double of 29 points, 12 assists, 12 rebounds and two blocks. He came out on fire as both a scorer and facilitator, and the home team never looked back.
Social media had nothing but praise for the team's overall effort:
While Durant was the star, it was far from a solo effort.
Edmond Sumner's initial outside shooting helped set the tone, and Seth Curry's smooth stroke from beyond the arc was responsible for six three-pointers. He and Ben Simmons provided a spark off the bench, with the latter impacting the game by creating multiple turnovers and battling for boards even though he is largely an afterthought as a scorer.
The role players were key in keeping the Knicks at bay after the Nets dominated from the start while building a 25-point halftime lead, but Durant was the main story with everything running through him.
The scoring is always there for the future Hall of Famer, but his ability to find open teammates when the Knicks collapsed on him added another dimension to the offense and took the pressure off others.
He and the Nets will look to keep things rolling on the road when they face the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
To anyone who thinks the Los Angeles Lakers front office is sitting on their asses, thumbs twiddling fervently and aimlessly, with glazed-eye indifference as...
Is It Time for the Brooklyn Nets to Blow It Up?
Nov 9, 2022
DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 07: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets wears a Vote shirt during warm-up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on November 07, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets have had a tumultuous 2022.
From trading James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons in February, Kevin Durant's trade demand in late June and, most recently, the firing of coach Steve Nash and Kyrie Irving's suspension—it's been quite the downward spiral for a team that was a Durant toe away from an Eastern Conference Finals berth in 2021.
Can the franchise course correct, or is it time to start stripping the roster down for parts for a substantiative rebuild?
All About KD
At 34, after a torn Achilles' tendon, Durant is still one of the NBA's best players. Through 11 games this season, he's averaging 31 points per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the field. He remains a generational scorer and the Nets' most important player.
Durant is also under contract for three additional seasons (through 2025-26), so why would Brooklyn consider letting him go via trade?
They may not. Period.
But we're not far removed from Durant trying to force a trade over the offseason, reportedly pushing for the firing of general manager Sean Marks and Nash, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. Durant eventually relented, and Nash's departure came more organically.
But the Nets (4-7) may be bracing for round two if the losses continue to mount. Durant wants to win, and if he doesn't believe that's going to happen in Brooklyn, he may try to force relocation again. Given the length of his contract, some around the league remain skeptical he'll have the leverage until he gets closer to the end of his deal.
The number of teams that would want Durant is much larger than the list of franchises that can easily match his $44.1 million salary and have enough young stars, prospects and picks to appease the Nets. Would the Boston Celtics offer Jaylen Brown? Are the Toronto Raptors willing to talk about Scottie Barnes?
How eager would Brooklyn be to send Durant to the rival New York Knicks, even if New York included several of their many draft picks? Would the Golden State Warriors be willing to go back to Durant, offering prospects like James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody? Can the Miami Heat even get to a viable offer that doesn't include Bam Adebayo?
There's also a point where the Nets may realize they are at a dead end with their current core, and it's time to start anew. If an opportunity like any of the above comes up, that time could be sooner than later.
For now, however, the franchise will stay the course while searching for a replacement for interim head coach Jacque Vaughn.
Coach Hire an Indicator
If the Nets hire Ime Udoka (he's reportedly the favorite, h/t Charania), it's not to supervise a rebuilding team. As a coach, Udoka has a strong reputation after his rookie run taking the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals and his long tenure in the league as an assistant.
Beyond coaching, Udoka's reputation took a hit following his suspension by the Celtics for a violation of team policies that included "crude language in his dialogue with a female subordinate prior to the start of an improper workplace relationship with the woman," per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
It makes sense for the Nets to hire the best available coach to revitalize the 2022-23 campaign and keep Durant invested in Brooklyn. But it’s also extremely tactless, given Udoka’s actions in Boston. It’s troubling enough behavior that Tsai has felt some pushback on Udoka, per Marc Stein.
League sources say there have been some "strong voices" urging Joe Tsai to back off the Nets' intent to hire suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka as Steve Nash's successor given the considerable turmoil Brooklyn has already faced this season.
Some around the league speculate that commissioner Adam Silver is pressuring the Nets to rethink the Udoka hire.
If the decision is to bring in a win-now coach to align with Durant, then the Nets would be more of a buyer than a seller at the trade deadline. The franchise could be pivoting into a post-KD future if the next coach is less of an established name.
The Irving Problem
Per Charania, the Nets have an extensive list of steps for Irving to follow to return to play.
Sources: Nets have delivered Kyrie Irving six items he must complete to return to team:
- Apologize/condemn movie - $500K donation to anti-hate causes - Sensitivity training - Antisemitic training - Meet with ADL, Jewish leaders - Meet with Joe Tsai to demonstrate understanding
Irving may follow them quickly—especially after he reportedly had a "productive" meeting with Silver on Tuesday, per Charania—and help Brooklyn return to playoff form. But that may be a reach.
Stein cited "growing pessimism in various corners of the league that Kyrie will ever play for the Nets again."
Whatever the result, if Irving's $36.9 million comes off the books following the current campaign, Brooklyn does not project to have cap space in July. The most the team might have is the non-taxpayer mid-level exception which projects to start at $11.4 million.
Any significant improvements around Durant may need to come via trade, be it by the February 10 deadline or after the season around the draft and free agency.
Is there any market for Irving? That's unclear, but initial queries in NBA circles were highly pessimistic.
"He's toxic right now," one executive said.
The Los Angeles Lakers had made overtures to the Nets earlier in the summer, but Brooklyn wasn't open to moving Irving at that time. Now, it appears to be too late.
Draft Picks Problematic
The more significant issue, should the Nets decide it's time to get out of Durant and rebuild, is that the franchise owes several first-round picks still to the Houston Rockets for Harden.
If Victor Wenbamyama is the runaway No. 1 selection in 2023, Houston has swap rights with the Nets. Even if Brooklyn gets the top selection and the Rockets are No. 2, the Nets are not getting Wenbanyama.
At least Houston is among the worst teams in the league; a swap may not be terrible, outside of losing a shot at a potential franchise pillar. Scoot Henderson of the G League Ignite is a tremendous consolation prize.
The Rockets also have swap rights in 2025 and 2027. And Houston will get the Nets' 2024 and 2026 first-round picks outright. A shortage of draft currency may be all the motivation Brooklyn needs to avoid rebuilding.
But then, that's not dissimilar to the Nets that Marks oversaw in 2016, a few years after the 2013 trade with the Celtics for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and others. That deal decimated the Nets, but Marks showed impressive skill in turning "nothing" into a playoff team by 2018-19.
That upstart team fell in five games to the Sixers in the 2019 playoffs, winning one more game in the process than two of three postseason runs in the Durant/Irving era (to be fair, Durant was still recovering from the Achilles injury through 2019-20).
Simmons and the Rest
The Nets are not devoid of talent. The team has several solid veterans like Royce O'Neale, Joe Harris and Seth Curry (working his way back from an ankle injury). Younger prospects like Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas are developing well.
The elephant in the room is Ben Simmons, who the Nets got in return for Harden from the 76ers. He's struggled to get and stay healthy since the Nets acquired him in February.
"Simmons doesn't have much trade value right now," one executive said. "He hasn't been healthy, and when he has, he hasn't looked very good. He's certainly not producing up to his compensation."
Simmons is owed $78.2 million for two additional seasons, so he may be challenging to move. If the Nets decide to trade Durant, they should try handcuffing Simmons as a requirement.
The Nets would probably want to get out of Irving's salary, but that should be a lower priority, given his deal expires after the season. If Brooklyn clears Durant and Simmons via trade, the franchise may have significant financial flexibility, with Irving coming off in July.
The list of teams capable of taking on that kind of money is short (Durant and Simmons combine to earn $79.5 million this season), but the Lakers can theoretically get there by offering Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn. Would L.A. include its 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to facilitate that kind of blockbuster to salvage their season?
All three of those Lakers' contracts are expiring, which could open $71-81 million in cap space for the Nets next summer, depending on which players the team chooses to retain (like Westbrook, O'Neale, etc.).
Carry On or Start Over?
Do the Nets have the means to give Durant enough of a supporting cast to truly compete? Will he stay happy if Irving does not return from his suspension?
The Nets may not find the kind of return the Utah Jazz got for Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell (lots and lots of first-round picks). Few teams outside the Knicks have a treasure chest of firsts to offer.
Still, Brooklyn may be able to replenish some of what is owed to Houston while adding on a couple of younger high-quality prospects and perhaps also shed Simmons in the process.
The coaching hire will be a tell, especially if the Nets bring on Udoka. Then, a trade might be geared toward winning instead of a rebuild.
If the roster is intact, healthy and engaged, perhaps a Udoka can turn this team into more of a playoff force in the East. Whether the team gets that opportunity remains up in the air, especially with the Irving situation still unresolved.
As long as Durant believes in what the team is doing, Brooklyn may try to carry on, but it doesn't seem like a leap for Durant to return to his summer stance in a quest for a new home.
It's Time for the Nets to Trade Kevin Durant in the Wake of Latest NBA Rumors
Nov 7, 2022
Kevin Durant
Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant could soon be a trade target once again. This time, the Nets should be prepared to flip the switch on a deal.
Brooklyn wasn't willing to make a trade when Durant requested one during the offseason. Instead, the Nets convinced the 34-year-old to suit up for another run alongside Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons. That run, though, is off to a rocky start.
The Nets have already relieved head coach Steve Nash, and Irving has been suspended after sharing an antisemitic video and failing to disavow antisemitism. Brooklyn is 4-6 on the season, and teams are reportedly gearing up for a run at acquiring Durant.
ESPN's Zach Lowe reported on the Lowe Post podcast (via HoopsHype) that "the whole league is ready now to reengage" in trade discussions involving the 12-time All-Star. This shouldn't come as a shock, given Brooklyn's start to the season and Durant's presumed desire to win now.
The Nets don't appear poised to challenge for a title this season. It doesn't help that Durant and other players are reportedly unhappy with Simmons.
"Simmons has been a source of frustration for Kevin Durant for others on the Nets so far, because he has been unable to stay on the floor but prior to that, he has shown that he's a long way away from being back to an impactful player," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said on NBA Today (h/t Talkin' NBA).
If Durant wants out again, it would make plenty of sense for general manager Sean Marks to try loading up for the 2023 draft and beyond.
One unnamed front-office executive told The Athletic's Sam Amick that this would be the logical course of action for Marks and the Nets.
"Just looking at Sean and his history, where he’s come from and what he’s done in Brooklyn, and then knowing that you have these (high-caliber guys) in this draft, I don’t see how he doesn’t (tear it down)," the executive said. "... But left to his own devices, I think it’d only be natural to expect that they move Durant."
Dealing Durant would presumably bring back a massive trade package, ideally one involving multiple 2023 draft picks. While Brooklyn still wouldn't likely get a shot at the draft's top prize, Victor Wembanyama, the Nets could still put some key players in place for their next foundation.
"If I’m the Nets, I’m looking to get a young star and a bunch of picks to retool the team," another executive told Amick. "They’ve done it in the past already, and they can do it again."
The argument against trading Durant is that he's still a top-10 player and the Nets may be able to salvage their season under a new head coach. That coach is widely expected to be suspended Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
According to Wojnarowski, an independent law firm investigated Udoka and "found that
he used crude language in his dialogue with a female subordinate prior
to the start of an improper workplace relationship with the woman."
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium has reported that Udoka is the front-runner for the Nets job:
Ime Udoka has emerged as a strong frontrunner to be the next Brooklyn Nets head coach and the sides have begun discussions, sources tell @TheAthletic@Stadium. Nets are in the midst of their search process and are continuing to do due diligence.
And Marks' belief in Udoka may have him reluctant to deal his biggest star, even if that's the best long-term play.
"Trading him isn’t something the Nets
appear to be considering, but Marks should revisit it if he truly wants
to operate in the best interests of the organization," Yahoo Sports' Vincent Goodwill wrote last week. "Perhaps
foolishly, Marks believes Ime Udoka can rescue his franchise."
This team may be too far gone for any head coach to salvage in its current iteration. Off-court uncertainty aside, the roster has a palpable lack of chemistry. A new coach may get the team to play more cohesively, but this doesn't feel like a team capable of making a deep postseason run.
Brooklyn claimed the seventh seed last year and was ousted by the Boston Celtics in the first round. The notion that a new coach will suddenly make this squad a title contender is flawed, and there's no guarantee that Udoka will be that coach.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, "strong voices" have urged governor Joe Tsai to "back off" Brooklyn's intent to hire Udoka.
The reality is that the Nets don't have a head coach in place yet, they have a roster that isn't on the same page, and they're a tier or two below top Eastern Conference teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers. The chances of fielding a contender—and thus keeping Durant content—this season are slim.
There's plenty of time between now and the Feb. 9 trade deadline to see how things unfold and actually agree to a deal. However, if the "entire league" is truly ready to start putting offers for Durant on the table, Brooklyn needs to open up the bidding now.
NBA Exec: Lakers Should Wait on Kevin Durant Trade Request amid LA, BK's Struggles
Nov 7, 2022
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks at the clock during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
The Los Angeles Lakers could end up being a landing spot for Kevin Durant amid the slow start to the season for both teams.
One NBA executive discussed the situation with Sam Amick of The Athletic:
I'm assuming there's some sort of agreement with Kevin. Like, 'Look, if you want to move, we'll move you. And we're not going to move you to New Orleans and we're not going to move you to Sacramento and we’re not going to move you to Indiana.' So if the best Brooklyn can do is the Lakers, then if I was the Lakers, that's what I'd be waiting on.
Durant requested a trade in the offseason before the Nets announced in August they would "move forward with our partnership."
The superstar could renew his trade request after the team's 4-6 start, especially with friend and teammate Kyrie Irving suspended for sharing an antisemitic video and failing to disavow antisemitism.
Durant previously said his trade request was due to the "uncertainty" surrounding the organization after initially planning to play with Irving and James Harden. Harden is no longer with the team and there are even more unknowns with Irving suspended and head coach Steve Nash fired.
Another executive told Amick that Durant could renew his trade request if Irving does not return.
"I just can't imagine KD wanting to be there, not because of his relationship with Kyrie but because the level of talent that’s going to be on that roster at this point in his career (will be subpar)," the executive said.
Things aren't any better in Los Angeles with the Lakers just 2-7 to start the year after missing the playoffs completely in 2021-22. It could still give Durant a fresh start with three years remaining on his contract.
Bill Simmons of The Ringer reported on his podcast the Lakers could make Anthony Davis available, while Russell Westbrook has been on the trade block since the end of last season.
It could help pair Durant and LeBron James in L.A., creating a duo of two of the best players of their generation.
