The moment the free agent market opened, "earthquake-level" news appeared in the league. The core star of the Nets, Kevin Durant, who had been silent until now and had never heard of it, officially submitted a trade application to the Nets .
According to reporter Shams, multiple sources revealed that Kevin Durant formally submitted a trade request to the Nets.
This news has attracted much attention, because there was a "farce" between Kyrie Irving and the Nets due to the contract extension, but in the end he decided to exercise the player option to play with the Nets for another year, and the outside world once acquiesced. Durant will continue to cooperate with Irving, but no one expected that he would leave.
In the playoffs last season, Durant led the Nets to be swept by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. The outside world unanimously began to criticize him, but this is not the point. With the Warriors The team's success in defeating the Celtics in the finals caused his "word of mouth" to collapse.
Being completely "locked" by Jayson Tatum in the playoffs has almost become an indelible stain on him.
But even so, Durant is still the player who can change the league. In the 2021-22 regular season, Durant averaged 37.2 minutes per game, scoring 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists. He is unstoppable offensively. , an absolute first-line star.
Although his statistics dropped in the playoffs, his strength is still attractive. He averaged 44.0 minutes per game, averaging 26.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists.
Obviously, if such a player joins other championship teams, it will be a scene where the "Peak Warriors" reappears. Therefore, every team in the league has been completely "crazy."
According to reporter Keith Simth, he has communicated with NBA insiders and learned that each team will suspend the original plan after the free market opens and wait for updates on Kevin Durant's situation. Once Durant makes a choice, There will be a lot of reports of trade signings.
Faced with the opportunity to get Durant, almost no team can bear it. Teams such as the Suns, Celtics, Heat, and other teams that already have championship capabilities are all looking forward to it. This is undoubtedly a stable A chance to gain a championship.
Once Durant can join some "Big Two" teams to form a luxurious lineup, then their championship chances will increase crazily.
However, at the same time, many team stars are beginning to feel uneasy, because Durant still has a multi-year contract, and the Nets are bound to get some All-Star players as bargaining chips by sending Durant. By then, it will involve It's very difficult for anyone to say. The
league is "business", and Durant's trade may affect some stars.
As of now, as soon as Durant’s trade application came out, the management of countless teams began to get excited. In such a turbulent public opinion environment, the internal conflicts and grudges among the so-called championship teams will all be resolved. It started to break out, and even some so-called commitments to build a team around a certain star, so-called multi-year championship plans, etc., will all come to nothing.
Many Earth stars that are considered "not for sale" will be surprised to find that their position is in jeopardy.
This incident clearly told them that everything in the alliance is "business."
The most typical team is the Celtics and 76ers and other teams that immediately caused trouble. Embiid has thoughts about Durant, which makes James Harden, who just jumped out of the contract, think about it, Mark Will the West feel the crisis? If the Celtics join the negotiation, who will be the bargaining chip? Brown, Horford or Smart?
The Heat are rumored to be the team with the best chance. Is it in vain that Lowry has just received the "reassurance" from the management?
For these teams, the previous players who were regarded as the cornerstones of the team will all feel chilling. If Durant does not come in the end, will the players of these teams continue to work hard for the ball in the new season? When playing as a team, these are all factors to consider.
Teams such as the Celtics and Heat can compete at the forefront of the playoffs because their players are tough enough and their spiritual world is rich enough. This time the management's "participation" in the battle for Durant will undoubtedly make the originally stable lineup emerge. Huge oscillations and fluctuations.
Of course, there are also some teams that are smarter and extend their maximum salary immediately, making the stars feel respected.
Jokic renewed his contract.
According to ESPN reports, the agent revealed that Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets reached a five-year super maximum salary extension contract of US$270 million, which includes player options and transaction guarantees.
In the 2021-22 regular season, Jokic averaged 33.5 minutes per game, 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks. It is impossible for such an MVP-level earth star to participate in the Durant trade.
However, maybe Nuggets will also try to use Murray + Porter Jr. and others to quote a price.
Morant renewed his contract.
According to ESPN reports, Ja Morant agreed to renew his contract with the Grizzlies in advance with a five-year maximum salary contract of US$193 million.
In fact, Morant, as the second pick in 2019, performed very well in both the regular season and the playoffs. He is still young and has potential. There is no need to trade Durant, who is about to enter his peak period. This is "self-evident" Destroy the city wall", so this time Grizzlies should just take a look.
Towns renewed his contract.
According to ESPN reports, multiple sources revealed that Karl-Anthony Towns has renewed his 34-year $224 million super-max contract with the Timberwolves .
In the 2021-22 regular season, Towns averaged 33.5 minutes per game, 24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks. Towns’ performance in the playoffs was not enough to be considered the only core player. However, he is a high-quality insider in the league. Already rare, its value is quite high.
If Russell is wanted, the Timberwolves would definitely not mind trading him to the Nets for a head start.
Devin Booker renewed his contract.
According to ESPN reports, the agent revealed that Devin Booker and Suns reached a four-year super maximum salary contract extension of US$224 million.
In the 2021-22 regular season, Booker averaged 34.5 minutes per game, 26.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals. Although the Suns failed last season, they have little to do with Booker. After all, It is also difficult for stars who are restricted at the tactical level to stand up and perform.
Moreover, Booker is still young and has greater value than Durant. It is impossible for the Suns to send Booker to trade Durant.
In fact, there is still a long time to discuss where Durant will go. Of course, although the scene of Durant going to a strong team to form a "giant lineup" is exciting, there is one thing to say, Durant His "character" has been completely disappointing.
Durant has been "cowardly and afraid of fighting" many times.
Three years ago today, Durant signed a four-year, US$164 million franchise contract with the Nets in order to gain respect; on the same day three years later, he applied for a trade to the Nets and chose to leave. , in order to "fear the enemy and fear the war."
This is not the first time Durant has done something like this. The last time he joined the Warriors is still vivid in his mind.
Every time he encounters difficulties, Durant's first thought is to leave and find a stronger team to join them. This has made it difficult for everyone to stand.
As of now, Durant's reputation is irreparable. No matter where he goes, he cannot avoid the fate of being looked down upon.
According to ESPN reports, multiple sources revealed that with Kevin Durant officially requesting a trade, all Nets players can be included in the trade discussion plan.
The Nets are likely to enter a state of reconstruction. Where Durant goes depends on him.
