Brooklyn Nets

NBA executive believes Kevin Durant is more likely to retire than play for Brooklyn Nets again

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

The biggest ongoing story of the 2022 NBA offseason has undoubtedly been the drama between the Brooklyn Nets and team superstar Kevin Durant.

Earlier this summer, Durant requested a trade from the team. Despite Durant’s repeated confirmation that he does indeed want to move on from the organization, the Nets have yet to make a move.

Some have assumed that the Nets are hoping that the two sides can mend their differences.

However, according a recent report, one NBA executive believes that Durant would rather retire than play another game with the Nets.

“During summer league in Las Vegas, one of the most well-connected team executives I speak to regularly insisted to me that, based on what he was hearing, Kevin Durant was more apt to retire than play again for the Brooklyn Nets,” Marc Stein wrote. “This was in early July.”

Stein went on to report that many expect Durant to continue to stand pat with his current request and raise the stakes if he is not ultimately moved by training camp.

“If Durant hasn’t been traded by then, there is a growing expectation in league circles that he will continue trying to cause as much of a ruckus behind the scenes to try to prod the Nets into lowering their asking price at last to facilitate a deal,” he wrote. “If it wasn’t apparent by now, he really wants that trade to Phoenix or Miami or maybe even Boston or Philadelphia, no matter what it does to his reputation when he hasn’t played a single game yet under the four-year, $194 million contract extension signed in August 2021.”

Durant has seemingly dug into his desire to no longer play for the Nets despite the fact that he chose to join the organization just a couple of years ago. It’s a perplexing situation, and the report makes it all the more confusing.

It is hard to imagine what happened behind closed doors that has made Durant so emphatic about no longer wanting to be a part of the organization. Whatever it was, there seems to be a clear belief throughout the league that the differences are irreconcilable.

If Durant were to ultimately choose to retire to avoid playing with the Nets, it would not only be a major loss to the franchise, but also to NBA fans everywhere. Durant is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive players to watch in the league.

Hopefully, the situation does not come anywhere close to that even being a remote possibility.

Jonathan Sherman

Jonathan has worked as a sports writer covering NBA and NFL news since 2017. He's a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Vikings.

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

9 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago