Source: Sarah Stier / Getty
The Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving, era of the Brooklyn Nets is [probably] officially over. On Friday (June 30) afternoon, news broke that the former has formally requested he be traded to another team.
BREAKING: Kevin Durant has requested a trade from Brooklyn, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/7acV9hryFO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 30, 2022
Shams Charania of The Athletic first reported that KD had requested he be moved, per his “sources,” which more times than not pan out.
Kevin Durant has requested a trade out of Brooklyn, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
The news arrives just days after point guard Kyrie Irving opted into the final year of his contract, but not before some posturing about whether or not he would test free agent. Many saw through the jig considering Kyrie chose between taking about $6 million versus the $36.5 million he was locking in, no matter what thought leader malarkey he tweeted about or back and forth with Stephen A. Smith.
@stephenasmith you’re gonna have to explain yourself to people in your generation. I am not around many 50 plus year olds that speak and act like you do, so this is new for me. But I am sure my father and my uncles can meet you on your level better than I can. We know you STEPHEN
— A11Even (@KyrieIrving) June 28, 2022
But as for KD, who has four years left on his contract, and his next destination, Twitter is already rife with speculation and theories of where he will land. Some early chatter is Phoenix or Miami.
Phoenix and Miami are among two of the teams that Kevin Durant has on his wish list, sources tell ESPN, but the Nets plan to move Durant where they can get the best possible deal. With four years on his contract, there's no shortage of teams willing to unload assets for Durant.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
Kevin Durant has the Phoenix Suns listed as a preferred trade destination, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2022
But what many fans are into is getting these jokes and slander off as quickly as possible. We’re here for it, peep some of the best in the gallery.
Kevin Durant waiting for Kyrie to opt in only so he can request a trade later pic.twitter.com/FOML01fm74
— Oluwajomiloju (@JomiAdeniran) June 30, 2022
1.
Kyrie: we are running it back now that I’ve opted in!
Kevin Durant: pic.twitter.com/6q9lii8jkq— ry (@NinjaBands) June 30, 2022
2.
Kevin Durant leaving the Warriors to prove he could lead his own team and then requesting a trade the same year Golden State wins again is… wild.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) June 30, 2022
3.
Kyrie said he wanted to fulfill his commitment to the Nets and Kevin Durant and KD said I'm good luv, enjoy https://t.co/CSAr3svMet
— Hanif Abdurraqib (@NifMuhammad) June 30, 2022
4.
Funniest places the Nets can trade Kevin Durant to, ranked:
1. OKC
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 30, 2022
5.
Kevin Durant has preferred teams though also keep in mind with four years left on his deal this isn't an AD situation where he can force his way to a team. By demanding a trade, KD is essentially saying he'd rather be on one of 29 other teams. Nets will take best offer. https://t.co/4mfF7txg6f
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 30, 2022
6.
On Monday, as the league prepared for Kevin Durant to potentially request a trade during the Kyrie opt-in saga, Phoenix and Miami were often mentioned as the All-Star's perceived favorite landing spots.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 30, 2022
7.
Kevin Durant couldn’t have possibly been THAT unhappy in Golden State. this … this is insanity
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) June 30, 2022
8.
Now we know why Kevin Durant had been so quiet the last few days and why he danced around the Kyrie situation on his “new media” podcast.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) June 30, 2022
9.
Kyrie after opting in: Let’s go win this chip now!
Kevin Durant:pic.twitter.com/MuKNFiRWjW
— lil mumu.
(@mautezawad) June 30, 2022
Source: Hip-Hop Wired