Trade negotiations for Kevin Durant have halted. Along with the Heat, Celtics, and everyone else.
Several factors for this are not a mystery as it has been that way for weeks. The idea that the Nets' asking price for the two-time Finals MVP is too high stems from the time of year when many executives are on vacation.
Teams don't believe they could put together an offer the Nets would accept while still being a contender when they look at what the Nets are asking for (beginning with an All-Star caliber player under 25). Because of this, for instance, neither the Heat nor the Pelicans have made an offer to Bam Adebayo or Brandon Ingram, respectively. Teams are not increasing their tier bids or engaging in a bidding war.
After going radio silent, Durant is reportedly said to be planning a face-to-face meeting with Nets owner Joe Tsai, according to Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com.
Let's assume it's a genuine rumor, not a report based on a single unreliable source. In this conversation, Durant could only express one of two things:
1) He wants out and will show up to the Nets training camp right now, as he said in his trade request. That may force the Nets to accept a deal for KD below what they consider the market value (the Rudy Gobert trade messed up expectations for the return for Durant would be).
\2) Durant, at least temporarily, withdraws his request for a trade. Although it's a long shot, the Nets hope this is the case. Although the demand for his services may prompt Durant to think twice, he does not tend to make snap judgments that he later regrets.
The Nets would be a contender in the East if they had Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons, as well as great role players like Joe Harris, Patty Mills, Nic Claxton, and others. Many illnesses can be cured by winning.
We'll watch whether this meeting takes place, what results from it, and whether the Nets make any public changes. As we approach the Durant trade negotiations, it's essentially the one thing that could make a difference.
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