Western Rival can ‘satisfy’ relationships in commercial Kevin Durant: Report

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Brooklyn Nets No. 7 Kevin Durant will appear in the second half against the Indiana Pacers.

It’s been over a month since Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets and there doesn’t seem to be any traction on a possible move yet.

The Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns, two teams Durant named as his favorite destinations, both showed up and moved on. The Boston Celtics offered Jaylen Brown, but even that wasn’t enough to move the needle for the Nets.

It looks like Brooklyn is hoping they can hang on to Durant, and there’s still a chance for him to decide to move on. In the event that doesn’t happen, the Nets will have to make the best offer they can get, and that could actually come from the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s no secret that LeBron James and the Lakers are interested in bringing in Kyrie Irving, but what if there was a chance to get Kevin Durant instead? LA Times reporter Dan Woike quotes NBA executives as believing the Lakers have enough to “satisfy” the Nets in a Durant deal.

Durant to the Lakers?

So far, there hasn’t been much talk about the Lakers landing Durant, but it’s sure to be a move that keeps Los Angeles firmly in the league in championship talks.

The Lakers hold the first picks in 2027 and 2029 that can be used in the trade, and Woike reports that those two picks along with the pick swap could be enough to get the Nets to consider a trade for Durant.

“In total, according to several rival executives, it is probably enough to push the Lakers over the finish line in a deal with the Pacers for Turner and Hield (although the asking price for Turner is usually at least a first pair). ), ”Woike wrote. “And if the Nets decide to trade Kevin Durant, the Lakers’ potential swap and options package will once again be able to please Brooklyn or a third team ready to take on Westbrook before that, potentially buying him. me and make him a free agent.”

The Nets will have to be okay with bringing in Russell Westbrook or just cutting him off if the third team doesn’t jump in, so the deal doesn’t look as good as Jaylen Brown’s deal with the Celtics. Then again, this takes Durant out of both the division and the conference, so it might work better for the team in that respect.

Why consider it?

A big reason to consider a deal like this is the fact the Lakers are most likely in rebuilding mode in 2027. Once that year has passed, Durant and LeBron James could either retire or be very close to. it, and that could mean the Lakers are out of competition.

If the Nets land unprotected picks in 2027 and 2029, those could be high picks that could change the franchise process, which the Nets will benefit greatly from. The Nets have had some homegrown talent for quite some time now, and those picks could be the start for them.

The Lakers aren’t usually bad in the long run, so it’s definitely going to be a gamble, especially if it means they miss out on a talent like Jaylen Brown.

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