Kevin Durant, the Leverage Who Helped Kyrie Irving Sign Nets Extension, Ditches Him and Requests a Trade – Phoenix Suns Listed as Preferred Destination

Shams Charania of The Athletic claim that Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant has asked for a trade. Kevin Durant could look for other opportunities to win championships. According to a person with firsthand knowledge of the situation, Durant has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. This move will probably cause clubs to rush to put up sizable offers for the All-Star player.

After buddy and teammate, Kyrie Irving declared he will opt into the last year of his $37 million deal with the Nets, the choice was made. The fact that Irving wants to “fulfill his four-year commitment” to Brooklyn and Durant is important to note.

Kevin Durant
Image Credits – NBC Sports

There is perhaps nothing bigger than Kevin Durant’s to be traded out of Brooklyn. We’re quite sure that when this was first reported last week, everyone assumed it was related to the Kyrie controversy. The Durant rumors were meant to be put to rest if he chose to participate and committed to Brooklyn. Additionally, according to Wojnarowski, following the opt-in, Durant and Irving lost touch with the franchise and there was a “feeling of inevitability” that Durant would request a trade.

ALSO READ: The Kyrie Irving Saga Came to an End as the Nets Cave to his Demands

Kevin Durant dumps ‘friend’ and demands trade with Phoenix Suns being the frontrunners to sign him

The seismic shock waves emanating from Kevin Durant’s pre-free agency bombshell of a trade request have undoubtedly reached Phoenix, one of Durant’s favored destinations. The Suns fit Durant’s ideal circumstance profile. They are a ready-made competitor in a market that appeals to consumers and has a pair of well-known stars and leaders.

The best part is that Kyrie has already agreed. We’re intrigued to learn more about Durant‘s market since a long-term agreement is already in place. On the other side, he is aging and will be outrageously costly to hire. This is a genuine league-changing move that has the potential to alter the NBA’s whole landscape. We’re talking about a player of that magnitude.

READ MORE: NBA Could Witness a LeBron James-Kyrie Irving Reunion at Cleveland Cavaliers

But given the Nets’ predicament, the Suns ought to have a compelling offer to make. Given that a core that includes Paul and Durant would probably be old by then, the Nets may give priority to pick swaps and first-rounders out in 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 range. Phoenix still retains all of its first-round picks in the future.