Kevin Durant trade sweepstakes heats up the summer
By Martin Rogers
FOX Sports activities Columnist
Completely happy Fourth of July to everybody, and particularly to you – Kevin Durant – for you might need saved summer season from turning right into a snoozer.
Let’s face it, there are few days extra fulfilling than the fun-filled Fourth, with all its sunburn and fireworks and possibly extra scorching canines than you’ll eat for the remainder of the 12 months mixed.
Nonetheless, in some years, the Independence Day celebrations elicit a small groan from sports activities lovers, on condition that it typically marks the arrival of the sleepiest interval on the calendar, relying on the place your athletic loyalties lie.
Typically, July is the dullest time as a result of all three of the 4 main North American leagues are out of season, whereas baseball’s divisional races are but to completely crank into their best gear.
It’s a time when the beginning of the brand new soccer season, oddly, truly feels additional away than it did in April or Could, most likely as a result of a lot of the key transactions are finished already and information is skinny as groups give attention to the grind of coaching camp.
It’s when the largest downside isn’t a lot in not having sufficient to observe, however a destiny way more critical for these of us who reside and breathe sports activities. That we don’t have sufficient to speak about.
This 12 months, that’s not going to be an issue.
Kevin Durant request commerce from Nets, sending shockwaves all through the NBA | UNDISPUTED
Kevin Durant could possibly be on the transfer after requesting a commerce from the Brooklyn Nets.
Durant’s resolution to request a commerce from the Brooklyn Nets ensures that we’re going to be served up a summer season sizzler of the best order, a plot that has all the weather required to maintain the sports activities world chattering and postulating for the following a number of weeks.
It’ll be a thriller story that can present the juiciest of interludes, a spellbinder that may rumble on for so long as it likes for all I care. Take your time, Kevin (and Brooklyn), you’ve gotten our consideration.
The magical elements of the KD drama are all in place. Firstly, it’s a resolution that nearly actually may have some form of important affect on the future of subsequent season’s championship.
The oddsmakers are the one ones who may not like this. No summer season break for these guys, who’re duty-bound to react to each rumor and every twist within the narrative by adjusting their line for the 2022-23 marketing campaign.
Gamers like Durant don’t typically change into accessible on this manner, and his most well-liked locations of Phoenix and Miami now sit atop the chances charts isn’t any accident. Look down the checklist of groups within the league – apparently greater than half the league has inquired about KD – and also you’ll go a great distance earlier than you discover one the place Durant’s arrival wouldn’t make them an immediate contender to win all of it.
Among the best elements of this as a storyline is that it’s darn close to inconceivable to foretell. The place Durant most desires to go doesn’t make practically as a lot of a distinction as to the place Brooklyn desires to ship him. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause and is underneath contract for 4 extra years.
Are Warriors in talks with Nets for Kevin Durant commerce? | FIRST THINGS FIRST
Nick Wright doubts KD, Steph Curry, or any of the Golden State followers are rooting for this commerce. Watch as he breaks down why this isn’t a Warriors reunion that he would wish to see.
The Nets, due to this fact, will attempt to soothe the ache of getting the dream of glory years with Durant and Kyrie Irving totally extinguished by pushing for a historic whopper of a commerce haul. For followers, attempting to foretell which GM/proprietor mixture will serve up the tastiest bait is hard, and the state of affairs stays fluid.
By its very nature, this factor is prone to rumble onwards for some time. The Nets owe it to themselves to be affected person, and time might be their good friend.
Time would possibly tempt the Toronto Raptors to do not forget that the final swing they made that landed a big-name signing (Kawhi Leonard), ended with them successful the championship.
Time would possibly give the Golden State Warriors trigger to speak themselves into bringing again Durant – in change for maybe Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman – in what can be a sacrificing of future elements for a shot at including one other layer to the present dynasty.
Time would possibly coax the New Orleans Pelicans into sending a never-seen-before trove of gamers and draft picks to Brooklyn with the intention to pair Durant with Zion Williamson for a youth-and-experience swing at a championship.
That’s removed from an exhaustive checklist of suitors. Whoever desires to get artistic and take a look at their luck has an open shot at this.
Greatest touchdown spot for Kevin Durant subsequent season? | THE HERD
The Miami Warmth and Phoenix Suns are on the high of his want checklist however this brings up the problem of whether or not groups have the inventory to commerce for him.
With Rudy Gobert’s commerce from the Utah Jazz to the Minnesota Timberwolves having price a king’s ransom of a bundle highlighted by 4 first-rounders, the worth for Durant goes to be via the roof.
However the potential prize – arguably the perfect participant in basketball and a doable banner hanging out of your rafters – has gotten each group pondering.
And, for the remainder of us, offered a sporting summer season story that may be arduous to match, even in case you might make it up.
Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports activities and the writer of the FOX Sports activities Insider publication. You can subscribe to the day by day publication right here.
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