“Not Much Discussion”: Phoenix Suns GM Admits That Brooklyn Nets Stalled the Kevin Durant Trade Talks
Even though Kyrie Irving chose to sign with the Nets, the drama in Brooklyn was far from over. In response to the most recent Irving scandal, Kevin Durant, whose loyalty to the club had been called into doubt, asked to be traded.
One may argue that the 33-year-old is the world’s best basketball player. Nearly seldom do players this good become available in trade. With his request for a trade, Kevin Durant caused havoc in the NBA summer.
Kevin Durant had two clubs in mind: the Suns or the Heat. Although there was a lot of talk about the Suns and a potential Deandre Ayton sign-and-trade for Durant, no agreement could ever be reached by the parties.
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Suns GM James Jones discusses Kevin Durant trade
James Jones had the same sense as many other front offices in the league: the Nets weren’t actually interested in trading Durant.
“Brooklyn wanted to keep Kevin Durant in Brooklyn. And that’s why he’s in Brooklyn and not on some other team, but as far as with us, I get it.”
"We had discussions with Brooklyn about their desires and what they were trying to do, but ultimately, I would say like most teams, there was nothing to it.”
Explain?
"Not much discussion, in-depth discussion."
James Jones on Kevin Durant talks. #Suns https://t.co/jlXxw21s6z pic.twitter.com/aeHyM4wnsw
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 9, 2022
Some could contend that Kevin Durant lost out in this situation. He made a trade demand but lacked the leverage to acquire what he wanted. He then gave an ultimatum to speed up the process but had to back down and go back to Brooklyn after a few weeks.
The Nets were successful in keeping Durant, but are they any better off today than they were before the Kyrie Irving contract discussions and the Durant trade demand?
No one was a winner or a loser. Even while Durant’s reunion with the Nets had begun to appear to be the only sensible course, not everyone will enter camp free of the scars left by the drama of the summer.
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