Why are Toronto Raptors so Confident About Landing Kevin Durant?

Posted on by Jack Marks

According to several rumors, Kevin Durant, the standout player for the Brooklyn Nets, has asked to be traded. His request was announced only hours before NBA free agency got underway and a few days after Kyrie Irving, another prominent Brooklyn player, decided to sign a contract extension until the 2022–2023 campaign.

According to Wojnarowski, Durant’s agent Rich Kleiman and Nets’ general manager Sean Marks are negotiating transactions. However, Wojnarowski also claims that the Nets are looking for a deal that gives them the biggest asset return and that they have been contacted by half of the NBA’s clubs over what it would take to get Durant.

Kevin Durant Brooklyn Nets

It appears that the Toronto Raptors‘ pursuit of Kevin Durant is more serious than first thought. This is due to Woj’s report that the Toronto Raptors may be “lurking” in the race to sign Kevin Durant.

ALSO READ: Brad Stevens Drops Two Masterclasses in a Day as Boston Celtics Sign Experienced Players for Peanuts

Toronto Raptors’ interest in Kevin Durant

“I think a team that’s lurking is Toronto. They have all the kinds of pieces that you would want and their picks to do a deal for Kevin Durant,” said Woj talking to Malika Andrews.

Woj said that the Toronto team is “lurking” and could try to broker a deal for the superstar. However, the Raptors believe that no club can match them in terms of the offer they can make to obtain KD, according to Michael Grange of SportsNet.

“I can confirm that not only are the Raptors ‘lurking,’ but they also feel they can put together the best package of assets the Brooklyn Nets are likely to get,” Grange wrote.

The Nets are asking for a great player, a young up-and-comer, a tonne of unprotected first-round selections, and pick swaps. The Raptors have lots of assets and can easily satisfy that demand. Even if the Raptors are able to strike a deal based on OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., and possibly the rights to Toronto’s first-round picks for the next seven drafts rather than trading Barnes and/or Pascal Siakam, it should cause vice-chairman Masai Ujiri and GM Bobby Webster some concern.

Brooklyn may demand more money or perhaps request that a player like Pascal Siakam or Fred VanVleet be included to a hypothetical trade for the Raptors, but it is unclear whether Toronto would be open to such a suggestion. In order to compete for the title, they would obviously want to maintain their core.

MORE NBA NEWS:

Follow our NBA page for more key NBA updates and news.