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The Brooklyn Nets are going to have a tough summer ahead, likely filled with more drama.
NBA free agency started on Thursday, June 28th 2022 and Kevin Durant has requested a trade despite the fact that Kyring Irving decided to opt-in to the final year on his contract.
Durant signed a four-year extension with the Nets last August worth $194 million, but he’s now asking the franchise to trade him without playing a single minute on the new extension.
It was reported last week before Irving opted in that the Nets were prepared to lose Irving and Durant.
The news that Durant wants out after Irving opted in is quite shocking.
Favorites to Win the Durant Sweepstakes
It has been reported that Durant wants to be traded to the Phoenix Suns or Miami Heat.
However, the Nets are going to take the best offer available if one presents itself. Brooklyn doesn’t need to trade Durant, but do they want another season filled with superstar drama?
There are likely three real contenders to win the Durant sweepstakes this summer:
Phoenix Suns (-120)
The Suns are odds-on favorite to trade for Durant this summer. They have the assets and Durant is willing to play in Phoenix, so will the Suns and Nets be able to work out a deal?
Brooklyn could get Deandre Ayton (sign and trade) in the deal along with other assets, including draft picks, which the Nets need after the James Harden trade with the Houston Rockets.
The Rockets own the Nets 2024 and 2026 1st round picks, plus they can swap 1st round picks with the Nets for the 2023, 2025 and 2027 drafts, so the Nets don’t want to rebuild or tank.
Miami Heat (+1000)
Sure, Durant would like to play in Miami, but the trade package they can offer isn’t great, especially when compared to what the Suns can offer, so it’s unlikely the Nets ship him to the Heat.
They could scoop up some picks, but the Heat would be title contenders for the next several years, so those picks aren’t going to be very valuable. We don’t expect Durant to be traded to Miami.
Toronto Raptors (+250)
The Raptors are second in the betting market to land Durant. They could package Pascal Siakim with other assets, including draft picks, but will Masai Ujiri be interested in breaking up the core?
If the Nets request Scottie Barnes in the trade, it should be a complete non-starter. If they can package Siakam, OG Anunoby and other assets, Ujiri should consider pulling the trigger.
You can’t count the Raptors out after they landed Kawhi Leonard and won an NBA Championship.
Kevin Durant Trade Predictions
Best Bet: Phoenix Suns (-120)
The smart money will be jumping on the Suns to trade for Durant in this betting market.
The Suns are likely very interested as well since they don’t want to give Ayton a max contract. If Durant is traded this summer, it’s likely either to the Suns or Raptors, whoever offers the best package.
However, the alternative is that the Nets keep Durant even if he’s disgruntled. Irving has opted in, so Durant would get to play with him and they could evaluate the situation next off-season.
If Durant is traded, look for the Nets to try and trade Irving to the Lakers or another suitor. However, it has been reported that most teams aren’t interested in Irving, so they can really only deal him to LAL.
If you think the Nets will keep Durant, you can also bet on Irving and Durant playing on the same team next season, which is currently priced at +900 and could help cover your action if you bet on Durant being traded. If he isn’t traded, the Nets would also keep Irving around more than likely.
