NEWSLETTER
When it comes to the Kevin Durant situation, the normal cast of characters remains at the top of the totem pole.
The Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Toronto Raptors are still the most likely landing spots for the two-time Finals MVP, per an update from The Athletic’s Shams Charania. However, talks between those squads and Brooklyn have reportedly been “non-existent” in recent weeks, which I guess has paved the way for a new team to enter the mix.
According to Charania, the Memphis Grizzlies are the latest team to throw their hat in the Durant sweepstakes.
Recently, a new team has shown interest in Durant: the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources tell The Athletic. Fresh off a 56-win season, the Grizzlies have made new inquiries to the Nets about Durant, those sources added. Memphis has five first-round draft picks available (four unprotected selections of its own and one protected via Golden State in 2024) to utilize in a trade as well as young players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Ziaire Williams, Brandon Clarke, Kennedy Chandler and David Roddy.
The Grizzlies have long been speculated as a team that could make a big move sooner than later. Not only do they have a true superstar in the making with Ja Morant, but they have the kind of draft capital and young assets that most teams trading a superstar would covet.
Charania didn’t confirm whether or not negotiations have picked up in earnest nor if the Nets are interested in the kind of package Memphis can build. The consistent rumor since Durant requested a trade is that Brooklyn would want to remain a competitive franchise and receive win-now talent in return. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane could potentially help the Nets right away, but Charania also reported that the Grizzlies “do not appear inclined” to include either in a possible deal. Instead, Memphis would prefer to construct a trade centered around draft picks.
Without either of those players involved, though, I can’t see Nets ownership even picking up the phone. Heck, even with Jackson Jr. and Bane in the package, it could be hard for Brooklyn to accept knowing the Boston Celtics are open to trading Jaylen Brown.
Speaking of which, Charania writes that the Celtics are still viewed as the obvious trade partner due to their willingness to part ways with the All-Star wing. The question centers more around whether or not they would cave and include an additional high-end starter.
Among the interested teams, the Celtics have been viewed across the league as the clear-cut answer as the team that has the ingredients to make a deal with Brooklyn happen. For now, Boston has not included guard Marcus Smart or center Robert Williams in a proposal, sources said. The Celtics have up to three first-round picks available to trade to Brooklyn.
When Brooklyn rejected Boston’s offer last month, the Nets countered by requesting Brown, Smart, draft picks and potentially one more rotation player, according to sources.
So yes, Boston has the necessary pieces and Brooklyn has listened, but a gap exists.
If one thing is for sure, as training camp nears, it sure sounds like teams continue to do their due diligence on Durant’s availability. Charania went on to name the 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets as teams that looked into the superstar over the past few months. And the idea of either Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or Nikola Jokic teaming up with KD is enough to force me into the fetal position.
I truly hate how most of Durant’s top suitors reside in the Eastern Conference. For the Chicago Bulls’ sake, watching him head back west would only (theoretically) make securing a playoff spot that much easier. So, yeah, I’ll be keeping keep my fingers crossed that this Grizzlies report gains some steam.
Anyway, make sure to check out Charania’s full report below:
