LaMelo Ball recruiting Kevin Durant to Hornets

JD Shaw: LaMelo Ball appears to be lobbying for the Hornets to acquire Kevin Durant, as others are likely doing with their respective teams: Source: Twitter @JShawNBA What’s the buzz on Twitter? John Hollinger @ johnhollinger New for @The Athletic – …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

John Hollinger @johnhollinger
New for @The Athletic – Emergency Durant roundtable with @Sam Amick @Joe Vardon @Alex__Schiffer. What are Nets’ options, the complications of an Ayton sign-and-trade, would Miami really offer Jimmy Butler, what stars should other teams dangle, and more
theathletic.com/3393459/2022/0…5:10 PM
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
We’re still going strong, reacting to the Kevin Durant trade request, the latest NBA free agency rumors and more: twitter.com/i/spaces/1ZkJz…5:09 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
If DeJounte Murray and Jrue Holiday can command three 1st round picks in their trades. How many 1st rounders (Not to mention actual useable players), will it take for some team to land Kevin Durant. This trade is going to likely to involve four teams. – 5:07 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
The Spurs got 3 first-round picks in the Dejounte Murray. Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, 3 firsts and 3 swaps for Kevin Durant. Ayton is better than the Suns would like you to think since they chose not to pay him. Bridges is a DPOY candidate. Johnson is a 3/D wing. – 5:07 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Everything you need to know about the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, at @TheAthletic
Intel and insight on possible destinations, the Brooklyn fallout, the Kyrie Irving component and more, with @John Hollinger, @Joe Vardon and @Alex__Schiffer
theathletic.com/3393459/2022/0…5:06 PM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Nobody asked me, but I’d love to see KD for Zion and picks. – 5:03 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
I’m sorry KD did what now? – 5:00 PM
Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Tweet something KD – 4:59 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
pod on KD dropping soon – 4:58 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
We’re going live in 2 minutes on @PHNX_Suns to talk Kevin Durant and how it could happen! Join us:
https://t.co/JhV4dkWx4w pic.twitter.com/hHZdtq5yKx4:58 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I wanna see KD and Kyrie get traded together just to see how in the hell a team matches $79.5M in salary in a trade. – 4:56 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The “starting talks with Devin Booker” thing is a nonstarter. The Nets literally can’t trade for him with Ben Simmons still on the roster, and KD wanting to come to Phoenix most likely starts and ends with wanting to play with Book and Chris Paul – 4:55 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Zach Lowe wants Sean Marks calling Masai Ujiri about KD immediately pic.twitter.com/VY553Mgb9H4:54 PM

Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
There is absolutely no reason for the Nets to accommodate KD and Kyrie by trading them to the same team and also no reason a team would want both of them. – 4:54 PM
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
What your best pitch to Kevin Durant to get him to play for the Pelicans? – 4:52 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“The Nets need to do what is best for them”
@TermineRadio reacts to the massive breaking news of Kevin Durant requesting a trade from the Brooklyn Nets #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/VD207ogThZ4:52 PM

JD Shaw @JShawNBA
LaMelo Ball appears to be lobbying for the Hornets to acquire Kevin Durant, as others are likely doing with their respective teams: pic.twitter.com/OWrrtFcP1N4:52 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
If you are hesitating on a Kevin Durant trade you probably hesitated on the Chris Paul trade and you cannot be saved. – 4:52 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Veteran NBA scout sizes up key Heat players heading into this wonderful free agency and Durant chaos: miamiherald.com/sports/spt-col…4:51 PM
Jason Calmes @BourbonStShots
Re: KD to Pels, and what you’d give up.
There doesn’t have to be a “right answer.” Some people want to aim for a title and have more volatility in year to year results.
I’d prefer to aim to be consistently very good and hope we can get a lucky run or two towards title.
-MP – 4:48 PM
Anthony Puccio @APOOCH
Nets front office/ownership lost Kevin Durant’s trust, as previously reported.
Kyrie’s negotiations certainly didn’t help, and KD had enough. – 4:47 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
What would a trade package for Kevin Durant look like?
We start with 🇨🇦
NBA Today youtu.be/9Sb97CQgXH4 via @YouTube4:46 PM
Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer
“This gives the Lakers their best chance at Kyrie.”
On Kevin Durant’s desired landing spots in Phoenix and Miami, what Brooklyn will need to part with the Hall of Famer, and a how this could help Los Angeles’ quest to land Kyrie Irving, all at @BR_NBA: bleacherreport.com/articles/10040…4:44 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Brian Windhorst, on ESPN, says Durant is “focused” on landing in Phoenix, and that one reason KD requested the trade today (before start of FA) was so that DeAndre Ayton could be included in a potential trade package.
Windy notes KD’s relationship with CP3 and and Devin Booker. – 4:42 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
The Nets CAN get Bam Adebayo (if they trade Ben Simmons). When you get to moves as big as Kevin Durant, everything has to be on the table. – 4:41 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
“We’re that good”
Harden said on Jan 12 after the Nets, with KD/Kyrie, dominated the Bulls.
Just over 5 months later — Brooklyn’s title hopes are gone. This team packed more drama into 5 months than most teams do in 5 years. And the drama ultimately overwhelmed the organization – 4:37 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Windhorst says on NBA Today that Durant is focused on the Suns, with the Miami Heat also an interest. – 4:37 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
An interesting narrative is that the Nets can send KD anywhere because he has four years left on his contract. But if he can force his way out with four years left, then how exactly would there be comfort from an acquiring team not on his wish list? #PlayersLeague4:35 PM
Eric Patten @EricPatten
Now imagine if OKC brings KD back – 4:35 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
My mom is currently texting me about Kevin Durant #reporting4:34 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Kevin Durant – a PG County (Md.) product – has talked in the past about how the #Nets were the closest he’s been to home. His business (35 Ventures/Boardroom) is in NYC, he owns the Philadelphia Union in #MLS. #Sixers star Joel Embiid is a huge fan. Hmmm. #NBA #76ers – 4:34 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Kevin Durant wants out of Brooklyn. Why that’s great for the Rockets — for now. houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron – 4:33 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
I also don’t understand why Durant signed a contract extension long before he had to and didn’t get a player option. – 4:32 PM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
From the inbox: Online sportsbook Bovada has some odds on Kevin Durant’s next team (https://t.co/ANeD61DWLG) pic.twitter.com/acmihKi9x44:31 PM

Brian Geltzeiler @BGeltzNBA
Great point just made on ESPN by @Tim Bontemps. This Durant news will create some sort of a free agent logjam as teams wait for that show to drop. Another great point by Tim is that the Royce O’Neal trade is an indication the Nets are looking for some high level players for KD – 4:28 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
By now you know that Kevin Durant has requested a trade. What could the Heat offer the Nets for Durant? miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… More than half of the league has already called Brooklyn about Kevin Durant, per @Adrian Wojnarowski4:27 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Kevin Durant requests trade from #Nets in #NBA bombshell nypost.com/2022/06/30/kev… via @nypostsports4:26 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Is it possible the Nets front office made the O’Neale trade without knowing Kevin Durant was asking for a trade? – 4:23 PM
Dave Mason @DeuceMason
TOO MUCH GOING ON.
KD WANTS OUT?! Monk to the Kings?!
We’re going LIVE!
https://t.co/LLeLC2Zubn pic.twitter.com/Q85OSHBKdn4:22 PM

Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
I genuinely do not see a realistic Raptors-Nets trade that lands Kevin Durant in Toronto – 4:21 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
I would love the basketball fit of Durant on the Pelicans. – 4:21 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
The moratorium can be annoying, but it does help with giving teams time to arrange deals in the proper order.
Order of operations matters a TON in the offseason. Doing a huge KD deal and having to lock in all the details immediately on the fly would be REALLY hard. – 4:19 PM
Krishna Narsu @knarsu3
If KD gets traded to Phoenix, has he played with every HOF PG in the league now? Oh missing Dame I guess. – 4:12 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Housekeeping item: If DA is involved in a KD trade (which he almost certainly would be), the team signing-and-trading for him is hardcapped and can’t exceed $157M in salary at any point.
So most of these Suns trades would have to go down BEFORE the Royce O’Neale deal is official – 4:11 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
On @TSN1050Radio talking Kevin Durant right now. – 4:11 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
every fan who is insisting their team couldn’t be better with Kevin Durant … i mean, come on – 4:10 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I don’t think, short of a surprising Golden State deal, any Kevin Durant trade creates an overwhelming title favorite.
Durant’s new team will definitely be high on the list, but no team with Durant becomes what the 2017 Warriors were or anything. – 4:09 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
One of many things affecting Heat’s Durant chances – and this organization lives for moments like this (Zo, Shaq, LeBron) – is whether Ayton would be agreeable to go to Brooklyn. If not, Heat could put together better offer, even without Bam. – 4:08 PM
James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
Real talk, I do think the KD news could affect the #Pacers. They have the cap space to eat bad contracts and could therefore facilitate a trade while moving players they no longer want and collecting assets (young players/picks).
Season would be bad but beneficial long term. – 4:08 PM
Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
The big problem with any potential #Pistons pursuit of Kevin Durant is that they don’t have any big contracts to throw into the pot.
Kelly Olynyk ($12.8M) is the biggest contract, then Cade Cunningham at $10.6M. – 4:07 PM
Carl Steward @stewardsfolly
Durant asks for trade. Here’s your big chance, Sacramento! – 4:07 PM
Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
People were thinking Kevin Durant would be staying put in Brooklyn once Kyrie opted in to the final year of his contract with the Nets…
But KD decided to get a little “Rowdy” pic.twitter.com/UpGkHPie6n4:06 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
It’s not like he’d come here because the team isn’t close to winning, but if you were the #Hornets what specific package would you offer the #Nets for Kevin Durant? – 4:05 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Add Gallinari to the handful of Heat PF options if Tucker leaves as expected; he’s expected to be bought out by Spurs. The latest from our Heat/NBA free agency live blog, with Durant news and more: miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia…4:03 PM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Could the Clippers be in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes? He’s considered them before …
ocregister.com/2022/06/30/cou…4:03 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Alright, you know I had to do it.
Kevin Durant has requested a trade. What can the Sixers offer, and what’s the likelihood of it being the winning offer? phillyvoice.com/nba-trade-rumo…4:01 PM
Josh Martin @LonzoWire
Steve Clifford seems excited to coach LaMelo Ball in his second stint in Charlotte. lonzowire.usatoday.com/2022/06/29/ste…4:00 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Bulls cannot compete with package many teams can offer for KD. Just announce the LaVine max deal and try and take advantage of the KD fallout. – 3:59 PM
Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer
Have a story coming at @BR_NBA shortly, and we’re going live on @getcallin in just a few minutes.
Join us as the Kevin Durant trade sweepstakes commence: callin.com/link/EaFCnvABtD3:59 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
I’m on vacation.
Might as well keep having fun.
Saw Kevin Durant requesting trade as free agency set to launch at 6 p.m. ET.
Durant and Devin Booker won Olympic gold in Tokyo.
Could they win an #NBA title together, too?
What wound happen if they teamed up in Phoenix? #Suns pic.twitter.com/ViuXHMenAa3:59 PM

Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
With Kevin Durant’s trade request, Brooklyn #Nets immediately dropped from 7-1 to 25-1 to win 2023 #NBA championship. (Should be 100-1). #Clippers still co-favorites with #Warriors and #Suns for title. Durant remains 10-1 to win MVP. Kyrie Irving 100-1 and higher. – 3:58 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Memphis’ Ja Morant are all expected to verbally seal mammoth contract extensions soon after 6 PM ET tonight … for those tracking notable sidebars to the Kevin Durant Requests A Trade blockbuster. – 3:57 PM
Thaddeus Young @yungsmoove21
Quick power nap wake up and KD got them going crazy …WOW – 3:54 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Not reporting!!!
Masai Ujiri has never feared taking a homerun swing. I wouldn’t sleep on the Raptors for KD. – 3:53 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
It’s gonna be tough for Lakers to get KD w unprotected firsts in 27&29, Russ and a production deal with Mav Carter, I think – 3:51 PM
NBA Math @NBA_Math
Got thoughts on the Kevin Durant trade request? The Nets? Kyrie Irving?
COME SHARE THEM WITH @HardwoodKnocks ⬇️
https://t.co/kDfeozzr1m pic.twitter.com/crX0mJcXZu3:50 PM

Dan Favale @danfavale
somewhat lost amid all the kd chaos: the jazz just traded their best non-gobert defender without getting an actual player back.
solid news dumping by utah tbh. – 3:50 PM
Mike Mazzeo @MazzNYC
Title Futures: Nets now +1600 at FanDuel, +2500 at DraftKings and +3000 on Caesars. Obviously this is all subject to change depending on what the return is for Kevin Durant, and then whatever else they do … – 3:49 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
On @Sirius XM NBA now with @Rick Kamla quickly talking Kevin Durant’s trade request. – 3:49 PM
Malika Andrews @malika_andrews
Next on NBA Today’s free agency special on ESPN2: @Bobby Marks joins us to outline where Kevin Durant could land and the packages that add up. – 3:49 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Could we see Kevin Durant in the Valley of the Sun?
@adaniels33 reacts to the news that the #Suns are one of KD’s preferred destinations. #NetsWorld #RallyTheValley pic.twitter.com/yY8jWq2R3Y3:49 PM

Kyle Ratke @Kyle_Ratke
Did nobody want to tell Sean Marks about Durant before HE TRADED A FIRST-ROUND PICK FOR ROYCE O’NEALE?! – 3:49 PM
Malika Andrews @malika_andrews
The latest on Kevin Durant requesting a trade from the Nets from @Adrian Wojnarowski.
Join us now on ESPN2 for our NBA Today Free Agency special as we break it all down. pic.twitter.com/dsRBjecW8S3:49 PM

Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Durant holds Bam in high regard, one of several reasons Miami would presumably be appealing to him. But without Butler included, a Heat package around Herro and 4 first-rounders (including Jovic) and cap facilitating contracts likely wouldn’t be enough to get Durant. – 3:47 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Woj, on ESPN, says “it’s likely that not only Kevin Durant, but also Kyrie Irving, has played his last game with Brooklyn.” – 3:47 PM
Chris Herrington @ChrisHerrington
From a Grizz perspective, everyone wants to do Durant deals without Bane or Jackson, and that’s technically doable. Realistically, to trump other offers + Durant’s preferences, Jackson probably has to be there. And even then it’s probably not most likely. – 3:47 PM
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
Celtics fans: Would you put Jaylen Brown in a deal for KD?
For me, depends what else Brad Stevens would have to give up. – 3:46 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Lol all those tweet drafts nba insiders had ready for 6pm just got deleted.
Nothing significant happens until a KD destination is picked. – 3:46 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
As a basketball fan, I’m rooting for Kevin Durant to end up in Portland.
Damian Lillard deserves this. – 3:46 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Perk opening his comments by saying “how proud I am of Kevin Durant” is quite a vibe – 3:44 PM
Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
“The Nets are moving Kevin Durant. They need a scoring forward. Sean Marks and I go way back. Let me talk to him.” pic.twitter.com/Qc2sNCfO1l3:44 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
More than half of the league has already called Brooklyn about Kevin Durant, @Adrian Wojnarowski just said on ESPN. Lol. – 3:43 PM
Alan Hahn @alanhahn
Props to @Brian Windhorst for being all over the Nets stuff, from the Harden-Simmons deal to the franchise ready to accept losing KD for their hard stance with Kyrie. Windy knows, man! @ESPNNBA3:42 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Woj says that “more than half the league has called Brooklyn about acquiring Kevin Durant”. – 3:42 PM
Nick Wright @getnickwright
The Lakers getting Kyrie is now (as @Brian Windhorst has repeatedly said) a *very* real possibility.
Brooklyn doesn’t want him w/o Durant & there is going to be very little market for him unless it’s somewhere he wants to go. I’d imagine he ends up in DAL or LA. – 3:42 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
With Simmons needed to be sent out (to Heat or elsewhere) in any Bam/Nets deal, one HYPOTHETICAL permutation that would work within cap rules is Durant/Simmons for Bam, Herro, Lowry, Robinson and three first-rounders (including Jokic). – 3:41 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Kevin Durant once called Mark Cuban an idiot (after Cuban said Durant’s then-teammate Russell Westbrook wasn’t a superstar), but Durant always has been complimentary of @Dirk Nowitzki and Dallas fans. And who wouldn’t want to play with Doncic? (Other than Brunson, apparently). – 3:41 PM
Sopan Deb @SopanDeb
Someone what help me out. Why did the Nets trade a first rounder for Royce O’Neal knowing they’re about to trade Kevin Durant and essentially begin a rebuild? – 3:41 PM
Kyle Ratke @Kyle_Ratke
I’m ready for the “Let me tell why why the Nets will BE BETTER without Kevin Durant – coming up after the commercial break” takes. – 3:40 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
On Kevon Looney, Isaiah Hartenstein, Mo Bamba and other bigs the Suns should target with the MLE (which might be more relevant if KD happens and Deandre Ayton is sign-and-traded away): bit.ly/3Paxucb3:38 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Kevin Durant and Bo Cruz front-court in Miami? – 3:38 PM
Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
One surefire way to take yourself out of the Kevin Durant stakes is to trade all your draft capital for Dejounte Murray and Jock Landale half an hour later. – 3:37 PM
Payal Doshi @PayalDoshiTV
Can’t the Raptors just be a dark horse in the KD sweepstakes? #NBAFreeAgency3:37 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Lol the Kevin Durant news crashed the Fanspo trade machine pic.twitter.com/YSp7g6pzt03:35 PM

Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
Kyrie: “I’m staying with the Nets.”
KD: pic.twitter.com/aP69QhbWVR3:35 PM

Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
So, let’s say the Nets trade Kyrie then trade Durant but not to Portland.
Then the Nets decide to deal Ben Simmons.
Should the Blazers get in on that? I say, absolutely. But DO NOT give up Anfernee Simons.
He is cheaper, a shooter, more mature and uses up one less m. – 3:34 PM
Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Chris and I talked Durant trades and hypotheticals on the pod. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…3:34 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
After watching Celtics-Nets in the first round, I am not surprised Kevin Durant looked at everything around him and thought “nahhhhhhhhhh.” – 3:34 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Kevin Durant 6 days ago on his podcast: “There’s a lot of uncertainty with our team. I understand why so much noise around us but as individuals just control what you can and move forward. When the time’s right everything will work out for itself.” – 3:33 PM
Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
But what team possibly has enough assets and cap space to trade for Kevin Durant?!? pic.twitter.com/OmPydgUOd83:33 PM

Alan Hahn @alanhahn
If you’re the Nets, and KD wants to go to Phoenix, don’t you start the conversation with Devin Booker? I’m sending you one of the three best players in the game. Don’t offer me your supporting cast players! FOH – 3:31 PM
Nick Wright @getnickwright
LeBron & AD, PG13 & Kawhi, and KD & Kyrie teamed up in the same Summer.
The Lakers have been largely pilloried by the media in this era. They also won a Championship.
Meanwhile, KD/Kyrie & Kawhi/PG13 played a combined ZERO (0) Finals, or even Conference Finals, games together. – 3:31 PM
Anthony Puccio @APOOCH
KD wants out… yes it’s worse than 12-70 #Nets twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…3:30 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Free agent movement has just been hi-jacked by KD. There is not one untouchable piece in the Bulls organization – player, coach, front office, PR – that shouldn’t be included in a deal if you’re AK. Not one. Three years of KD is better than 5 years of any Bull. – 3:30 PM
Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
The absolutely hilarious part is the Warriors are actually the team positioned to make the best offer for Durant – 3:30 PM
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
Most fun KD trade outcomes for all of us just from a HOLY SHIT standpoint…
1. Zion/Pels
2. AD/Lakers
3. Knicks
4. OKC
5. Boston
Finishing last… Sacramento – 3:28 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Heat convos went from Otto Porter to Kevin Durant so quick LOL – 3:27 PM
David Locke @DLocke09
What’s your package for Durant? – 3:27 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
My take on Kevin Durant’s list of teams:
That’s nice, but the Nets have to make the best trade for the Nets. They have no reason to move KD to a team offering a lesser package to make him happy. This is your one, best chance to fully reset everything. Nets have to get it right. – 3:27 PM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Haven’t done any salary math, but Vuc, Patrick Williams, Portland’s 1st, a #Bulls 1st and any other player on the roster Brooklyn wants, Durant is about to turn 34 – 3:26 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Durant playoff win% with Steph:
— 78.6%
Kyrie playoff win% with LeBron:
— 75.0%
Durant playoff win% with Kyrie:
— 46.2% pic.twitter.com/jzuyz7632n3:26 PM

Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
No contact with the Nets from Durant and Irving since Kyrie opted into his deal
sportando.basketball/en/no-contact-…3:26 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
I do enjoy that in 11 months we’ve gone from “They took WHO over Jalen Suggs?” to “Scottie Barnes is untouchable, even for Kevin Durant.”
None of that is even wrong necessarily, it’s just a hell of a development. – 3:25 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
We’ve got:
@Chris Haynes reporting Kevin Durant has the Suns as his preferred destination
@Quinton Mayo reporting Deandre Ayton to the Suns rumors
– Myself among others reporting Kyrie Irving’s interest in going to the Lakers
What an organizational fumble. – 3:25 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Kevin Durant made the trade request directly to Nets owner Joe Tsai today, sources tell ESPN. – 3:25 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Talking to folks around the NBA the belief is that everything is going to pause with the opening of free agency until Kevin Durant’s next home is decided. Every team and player will sit mostly still until Durant is traded. Then the flood will happen. – 3:25 PM
Shandel Richardson @ShandelRich
Kevin Durant shakes things up before the free agency period begins #miamiheat si.com/nba/heat/miami…3:24 PM
Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
Maybe just keep KD and use the stretch provision on Kyrie. – 3:24 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving trade rumors shuffle equation for Heat, NBA ahead of free agency. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h…3:24 PM
Matt Williams @StatsWilliams
Kevin Durant ranks 4th all-time in points per game and 1st among active players. He has averaged 25 points in every season of his career except his rookie year.
Most Career PPG
Michael Jordan: 30.1
Wilt Chamberlain: 30.1
Elgin Baylor: 27.4
Kevin Durant: 27.2
LeBron James: 27.1 – 3:24 PM
Frank Isola @TheFrankIsola
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. – 3:24 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Now on @SpotifyLive talking Kevin Durant and what’s next: spotifylive.link/NDKktXOXhrb3:22 PM
Alex Raskin @RaskinDailyMail
Never forget: #Nets signed an over-the-hill DeAndre Jordan to a four-year, $40 million deal before benching and trading Jarrett Allen to convince Durant and Irving to sign in Brooklyn. This team scuttled its own rebuilding plan for a Durant/Irving combo and got NOTHING. – 3:22 PM
Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
Sneak peak at the 2022/23 Phoenix Suns led by Chris Paul and Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/WHnNBWeg6I3:22 PM

Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
The Nets got Kevin Durant and proceeded to make mistakes every step of the way. – 3:22 PM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Now on @njdotcom
Kevin Durant requests trade from Brooklyn Nets nj.com/sports/2022/06…3:22 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Miami has to unprotect their 2025 1st round pick they owe OKC if they want to send Brooklyn picks for KD.
Sam Presti may ask for additional compensation on top of unprotecting the pick because adding KD makes the pick worse. – 3:22 PM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Kevin Durant has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets😱
basketnews.com/news-174405-ke…3:21 PM
Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
At the age of 33, Kevin Durant produced so much that his $42 million salary was a moneymaker for the Nets.
He’s owed close to $200 million in the years to come, though, ending when he’s 37.
What’s this analysis based on? More here, free:
https://t.co/piSbIkkKck pic.twitter.com/wXzxBx0IQn3:21 PM

Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
NEW: Durant asks for trade; Heat is on his list and Miami is obviously interested in Durant. But Phoenix – also on Durant’s list – has more good young assets to offer because of an arcane cap rule restricting Adebayo’s trade availability to Brooklyn: miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia…3:20 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Kevin Durant is asking for a trade so what exactly does that mean for the Celtics offseason? A first look at new trade options, Brooklyn’s potential demands and much more masslive.com/celtics/2022/0…3:20 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
My answer to any question on a trade package for Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/4f0Q7KrjJn3:19 PM

Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
What would a Kevin Durant trade look like? What kind of package would it take to land him?
@NekiasNBA recently broke it down and looked at potential destinations for KD: basketballnews.com/stories/nba-tr…3:19 PM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Mindblowing! Kevin Durant is setting to leave Brooklyn and he gonna change the upcoming season overall. This off-season belongs to KD from today. Phoenix, Miami or elsewhere maybe. #NBAFreeAgency
sdna.gr/mpasket/980653…3:18 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Report: Kevin Durant requests trade from Nets, prefers Suns or Heat nba.nbcsports.com/2022/06/30/rep…3:17 PM
Alvaro Martin @AlvaroNBAMartin
¿Por qué sonríe este señor? Si estás en sus zapatos de lujo, ¿qué entregarías a cambio de Kevin Durant? (creatividad pero con decencia, por favor) pic.twitter.com/yT0vBOtOL53:16 PM

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Kyrie: “See you in the fall!!”
KD:
pic.twitter.com/X6MKmW4eEi3:15 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Best the Heat can do right now is Lowry, Herro, mix of young guys (Vincent, Strus, Yurt) and three first-round picks (plus swaps). It’s possible they could reroute Lowry to a third team to have younger players go back to BKN, but not sure how many teams are helping Riley land KD – 3:13 PM
Adam Lauridsen @GSWFastBreak
Suns working to land KD like… pic.twitter.com/PXifNUSsby3:13 PM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Funniest places the Nets can trade Kevin Durant to, ranked:
1. OKC – 3:13 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Remember how 2014 free agency ground to a halt while the whole league waited for LeBron?
Yea, I have to imagine 2022 free agency does the same thing for Durant. Maybe Brunson still goes to the Knicks quickly, but a lot of the other big fish are gonna have to wait for KD. – 3:13 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
The Wolves have to look at the possibilities here. If you can pair KD with KAT and Ant, you do it. Realistic? Unlikely.
But it may be time revisit the Ben Simmons discussions as well. – 3:12 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Bane, Zaire, Brooks, Adams’ expiring and future firsts for KD … who says no?
I just want him to go to a fun team we wouldn’t expect. – 3:12 PM
Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
KD reading all y’all tweets right now too lol – 3:12 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Predictions:
– Kevin Durant to the Suns.
– Kyrie Irving to the Lakers.
– Ben Simmons to the Wolves.
– The most insane Western Conference we’ve ever seen. – 3:11 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
With 4 years left on KD’s deal, and his likely destinations being very unlikely to have the best trade package, this will be our biggest test ever of player empowerment. How much can he control his destination given the duration of the contract? – 3:11 PM
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
KEVIN DURANT MAY BE ON THE MOVE: twitter.com/i/spaces/1ZkJz…3:11 PM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Could DeRozan, Durant and LaVine win a title? #Bulls3:10 PM
Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
KD/Book/CP3 is a bomb squad – 3:10 PM
Dan Favale @danfavale
the most diabolical outcome to this whole thing is the nets asking kd for his list of preferred trade destinations *specifically* so they can send him somewhere that’s not on it pic.twitter.com/fiPvjXncO23:09 PM

Andrew Sharp @andrewsharp
Kyrie: “See you in the fall. A11even.”
KD: “Wellllll…” – 3:09 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Ultimately, I don’t think I’m moving Barnes + necessary salaries (OG + GTG?) and picks for Durant. But this is one of the best top 12 players of all time who is currently one of the five best players on the planet. You talk about it. – 3:08 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
This could really be insane
The Heat miss out on everybody
But now sit a big time package away from a top 3 player in the world: Kevin Durant
Bam Adebayo can’t be offered in this deal due to contracts with Ben Simmons
So it’s time for madness – 3:08 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
If Brooklyn really wants picks for Durant, Houston is like, a generational winner today.
If the Nets go in the tank to try to come away with a remotely decent pick through their swap rights with the Rockets next year, Houston’s odds are Victor Wembanyama go up significantly. – 3:07 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
UCLA has inquired about Kevin Durant for its move to the Big Ten more at 11 – 3:07 PM
Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
I still wanna see Durant go back to OKC. It would just be amazing to me. He could literally rewrite his legacy on the fly, going almost the same route that LeBron did to bring a title to the team that drafted him (well, the zombie Sonics) after rings elsewhere. Not happening tho – 3:06 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Durant didn’t get a player option on the final year of that four-year extension, which always struck me. Not sure why it amounted like that, but normally someone of his stature gets every bit of player-friendliness on a deal. Locked in for 4 years now as Nets look for a trade. – 3:06 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
I don’t know the inner workings of the Durant and Nets relationship, but I do know if he’s asking out now after kyrie opted in, I think I’d be searching for the best offer, not satisfying Durant’s wish list. – 3:05 PM
Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
COULD HAVE BEEN: Kyrie, KD, Harden.
ACTUALLY IS: Kyrie, Ben Simmons, Royce O’Neale, and Iunno, Duncan Robinson? – 3:05 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Durant in the playoffs for the Nets:
— 32.3 PPG
— 8.4 RPG
— 4.9 APG
— 49/39/88%
7 wins. 9 losses. pic.twitter.com/4aR7Cry5p93:05 PM

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving had no contact with the franchise after Irving opted into his deal on Monday, and a sense of inevitability existed that Durant would eventually ask for a trade, sources tell ESPN. It happened today. – 3:04 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Just to get this out of the way:
Yes, of course you would trade Tyrese Maxey for Kevin Durant. Tyrese Maxey would trade Tyrese Maxey for Kevin Durant.
Also: you don’t get Kevin Durant unless he says “I want to go to Philadelphia.” – 3:04 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
The Ayton BYC issues don’t go away because KD asked for a trade. – 3:04 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
Kyrie: “We’re gonna have a special season. I just know it.”
KD:
pic.twitter.com/NIi4LpqU5n3:04 PM
Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
i would trade anthony davis for kevin durant in two seconds if i was the lakers. the nba needs this. – 3:03 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
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. – 3:03 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
The outline for a trade for a star has been roughly a promising young potential All-Star plus several 1st round picks and also some pick swaps. Obviously there hasn’t been anyone on the trade market as good as Kevin Durant. How many teams can check off all those marks right now? – 3:02 PM
Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
Kevin Durant wants to leave a contender to join the team that won far more regular-season games than any other before losing a Game 7 to an inferior playoff opponent. Sounds familiar. – 3:02 PM
Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
Here are Kevin Durant’s remaining contract numbers … and you know what — it doesn’t even matter.
Every team will tear up the roster to get KD. I love free agency. pic.twitter.com/H5mfuIMtRg3:00 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Kyrie: “Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall.”
Durant: pic.twitter.com/Ej2UKgcJlz3:00 PM
Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
Did some potential KD trades last week w/ @Bobby Marks on the Lowe Post podcast — including PHX deals that are somewhat complicated by the hard cap in the event Brooklyn acquires Ayton in a sign-and-trade.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bob…3:00 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Players to average 50/40/85% or better over the last 2 seasons:
— Kevin Durant
He was one free throw off from going 50/40/90%. pic.twitter.com/w1JtiZt5B73:00 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Heat (and a ton of teams) had been preparing for a run at Durant. Kyrie opted in. Things paused. It’s back on. – 2:59 PM
Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
New Orleans. Landing spot for Durant. Calling it now. – 2:59 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
– USC and UCLA are looking to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten.
– Kevin Durant has officially requested a trade to leave Brooklyn.
My Fourth of July weekend plans: pic.twitter.com/f0v3DokLyy2:59 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
KD gonna join a 73 win team and a 64 win team lol – 2:59 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
Make your prediction now. Where’s KD going? – 2:58 PM
Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer
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. – 2:58 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Here are the list of players to pick from if you are the Nets in a Durant package.
Remember that the Thunder received 5 first rd. picks, 2 years of pick swaps and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Paul George back in 2019.
espn.com/nba/insider/in…2:58 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
KD to Portland for Simons, Sharpe and a first every other year until 2035 … who says no? – 2:57 PM
Kyle Ratke @Kyle_Ratke
KD landing spots? Boston, LAC, Miami — feels like it should be easier to find a match. – 2:57 PM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Kevin Durant has the Phoenix Suns listed as a preferred trade destination, league sources tell @YahooSports. – 2:57 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Kyrie: I’m renewing my commitment to the Brooklyn Nets.
Simmons: I might be ready to maybe take a jump shot.
KD: I’m out. – 2:57 PM
Andy Larsen @andyblarsen
FWIW, the Royce trade has been in the works for at least a couple of days, so I don’t know that it’s related to the Kevin Durant news. – 2:57 PM
Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Wherever KD goes, he gotta go back to 35 🔥. – 2:57 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
KD when Kyrie said he’s coming back pic.twitter.com/Df9hZb0HUw2:57 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
As the Nets prepare to move one of the most valuable trade assets ever on the market, the entire roster will available to discuss in deals, sources tell ESPN. Teams have been calling on Durant, and the Nets will certainly look for a historic return on players and draft picks. – 2:56 PM
Howard Chen @TheHoChen
Just your normal (COMPLETELY SARCASTIC) day: UCLA/USC about to leave the Pac12 and KD requests a trade. Gotcha. – 2:56 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Kevin Durant has four years and $197.6M left on his deal.
And everyone will be lining up the best possible they can to trade for him. – 2:56 PM
Alexis Morgan @alexismorgan
every nba player and their mother going to be calling kd from the parking lot rn – 2:55 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Kevin Durant has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, league sources confirm. – 2:55 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Kevin Durant put up crazy numbers for Nets:
28.7 PPG
7.3 RPG
6.1 APG
53/41/90%
In 90 games. pic.twitter.com/uTqGQI3VFT2:55 PM

Ben Anderson @BensHoops
Also, that Brooklyn first round might not be too bad if KD is gone. – 2:55 PM
Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving didn’t last together? Wow! Who would have thought! – 2:54 PM
Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Man if you thought yesterday was crazy… let me tell you about that one time Kevin Durant decided to switch teams. – 2:54 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
The eventual KD trade package is going to be insane! – 2:54 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
two days ago: Dare to be different. Here to finish what I started with 7.
KD: pic.twitter.com/a6Lvpdvmic2:53 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Kevin Durant played 15 more regular season games with the Brooklyn Nets than Paul Pierce pic.twitter.com/MFYn0ltIph2:52 PM

Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Kyrie opts in and KD still wants out. Incredible. With four years left on his deal and Durant, at 34, still playing at an MVP level, Brooklyn could — and should — get back one of the largest trade packages in NBA history. – 2:52 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
If you’re wondering what a Suns-Nets trade for Kevin Durant might look like, I threw out a few options here (bit.ly/3GsnHe1) and at the beginning of this one here (bit.ly/39Z0AMo) – 2:51 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Earthquake hits NBA 3:10 before free agency. Good luck topping the Durant news, free agents. – 2:51 PM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Kevin Durant has informed the Brooklyn Nets that he wants to be traded, league sources confirmed to @YahooSports. – 2:51 PM
Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
So, how bout this KD thing, yeah? – 2:51 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
There’s always that one name that comes out of nowhere
That name is Kevin Durant – 2:50 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Brooklyn Nets GM Sean Marks is working with Kevin Durant and his business manager Rich Kleiman on finding a trade for the franchise star, Kleiman tells ESPN. – 2:49 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Kevin Durant has requested a trade out of Brooklyn, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. – 2:49 PM
Lang Greene @LangGreene
Crazy. The two teams KD and Kyrie CHOSE to LEAVE, willingly, just got finished battling in the NBA Finals. – 11:27 PM
LaMelo Ball @MELOD1P
i’m getting on discord tn at 6 pst discord.gg/lameloball5:49 PM
Josh Martin @LonzoWire
Steve Clifford seems excited to coach LaMelo Ball in his second stint in Charlotte. lonzowire.usatoday.com/2022/06/29/ste…3:01 PM
Rod Boone @rodboone
An @theobserver exclusive: Going 1-on-1 with #Hornets new coach Steve Clifford. We discussed the importance of connecting with LaMelo, what he’s seen from Miles Bridges, the perception he plays only veterans and not rookies and more:
charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlot…6:07 PM
James Plowright @British_Buzz
Clifford “We’re going to play offensively with a very similar emphasis, the way they’ve played the last couple of years… He (LaMelo) is a great talent with a passion for the game and a flair in the open court and we want to take advantage of that” – 1:07 PM

More on this storyline

From Brooklyn’s perspective, sources said, there’s no deal to land Durant in Phoenix that doesn’t start with sending back Devin Booker to Barclays Center. The Suns, of course, would likely hold the line firm. But early indications are the Nets brass is not particularly inclined to take a sign-and-trade that brings back restricted free agent Deandre Ayton. -via Bleacher Report / June 30, 2022
On Wednesday, a video surfaced of a Charlotte Hornets, or at the very least, a LaMelo Ball fan, hoping to film LaMelo coming out of a parking garage. Instead, he was shocked as Michael Jordan appeared. The young fan promptly asked for a photo, but Jordan’s reaction is likely not what he expected. -via Clutch Points / June 23, 2022
As team representatives from throughout the NBA prepare to head to Chicago for the annual tradition of a week’s worth of predraft activities starting Monday, there is ongoing buzz in league coaching circles that Mike D’Antoni is in a strong position to land the Charlotte Hornets’ head coaching job. Defensive issues were said to be a key element of James Borrego’s unexpected downfall after four solid seasons, but Charlotte is nonetheless said to want a veteran coach who can forge a strong connection with All-Star guard LaMelo Ball, who would presumably thrive in an offense D’Antoni surely tailors around him completely. Another factor in D’Antoni’s favor despite his reputed aversion to defensive matters: Hornets president of basketball operations Mitch Kupchak already hired D’Antoni once with the Lakers. -via marcstein.substack.com / May 15, 2022
It hasn’t been all love for Tee Morant, who has received criticism on social media for being flamboyant and accused of seeking attention while sitting courtside. For example, the Instagram account for @SlamStudios wrote: “Tee Morant is approaching LaVar Ball levels of annoyance,” referring to the outspoken father of Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball and Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball. Ja Morant responded to all the social hate toward his father by saying during a tweet in response, “F— em we ball TM.” Tee Morant says he is going to “keep being me” and he is “not doing it for attention.” -via Andscape / May 11, 2022