Nets getting below luxury tax if they trade both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving?

Michael Scotto: If the Nets trade Kevin Durant, it could mean the end of Kyrie Irving’s time in Brooklyn as well. There’s a school of thought from some that Brooklyn could get under the luxury tax by moving both Durant and Irving. While Nets owner …

Michael Scotto: If the Nets trade Kevin Durant, it could mean the end of Kyrie Irving’s time in Brooklyn as well. There’s a school of thought from some that Brooklyn could get under the luxury tax by moving both Durant and Irving. While Nets owner Joe Tsai has clearly shown a willingness to pay the luxury tax for a championship-contending team, it may appeal less to him if the team is merely a playoff-caliber team. I don’t think deep down in their hearts within the organization that the Nets want to move Durant. That’s why the asking price is so exorbitant. I think, deep down, the Nets want Durant and Irving to come back and give it another shot. You’ve got Ben Simmons, who’s your third piece, they’ve added TJ Warren, they brought back Nicolas Claxton, Joe Harris is coming back healthy, and you’ve got a full season of Seth Curry.

Source: Michael Scotto @ HoopsHype

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Inside the Nets and Celtics trade talks surrounding Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown. Plus, a look at Kyrie Irving’s future and updates on Marcus Smart and Grant Williams with @Jared Weiss on the @Jorge Sierra podcast. hoopshype.com/lists/nets-cel… – 10:01 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
While this was never an imaginable fit a month ago, the Celtics and Kevin Durant have the makings of a potent partnership.
For @basketbllnews, I explain why Boston chasing Durant is well worth the risk for dynasty-like potential in the immediate future: basketballnews.com/stories/nba-tr… – 7:30 PM
NBA Math @NBA_Math
🗣NEW @HardwoodKnocks
📋 Outside-the-Box Landing Spots for Top Trade Targets
-Bojan (2:22)
-Collins (5:16)
-KD (10:43)
-Kyrie (17:57)
-Spida (23:33)
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🎧 https://t.co/eOxTF1CBy0
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✳️ https://t.co/iVPfhQdM59 pic.twitter.com/QN7hHKXkY8 – 6:43 PM

Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Will the Celtics trade for Kevin Durant?
Michael Jordan’s longtime agent, David Falk, looks at the potential deal with @Rick Kamla & @adaniels33. pic.twitter.com/x8IJOhnFnA – 5:29 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
From earlier — ASK IRA: Could there be a Jimmy Butler component to a Heat trade for Kevin Durant? sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 4:59 PM
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
Should the Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant? | Bob Ryan & Jeff Goodman Podcast | Powered by @AthleticGreens twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 3:30 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
NBA rumors: Heat ‘disinclined’ to offer Bam Adebayo in Kevin Durant trade package, per report
cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-r… – 3:00 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Listen to today’s episode of The Starting Lineup with @Frank Isola & @Brian Scalabrine on Pandora!
🍀 Jayson Tatum responds to KD trade speculation
🏀 Joe Dumars, @Nick Friedell and
@Shaun Powell join the show
pandora.com/podcast/sirius… – 2:18 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
At premier of Kevin Durant’s ‘NYC Point Gods’ film, Stephen Jackson was asked about BKN’s lack of success. It’s not entirely on Durant & Kyrie Irving, he says.
“I don’t like the coaching situation,” he says of Steve Nash. More on that & KD’s film here: sny.tv/articles/forme… – 1:35 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Notes from NYC Point Gods premiere:
* Pierce says KD trade to Celtics not happening
* Stephen Jackson puts onus on Nash for playoff flameout
* Mark Jackson reveals how 90s Knicks would’ve won title
* Artest’s theory on why NYC basketball is down
nydailynews.com/sports/basketb… – 12:54 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
The state of the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, how they are different for the Suns a month later and what Phoenix would need to change about itself to get a deal done: arizonasports.com/story/3227660/… – 12:36 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Would you trade Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant? | A List Podcast w/ @A. Sherrod Blakely, @Gary Washburn & @KwaniALunis | Powered by @betonline_ag & @indeed twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 12:30 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Ira Winderman: Don’t confuse the Heat being content with Heat being done. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… No, not held hostage by the Kevin Durant situation, but still with upgrades and gains possible ahead of camp. – 12:25 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
ASK IRA: Could there be a Jimmy Butler component to a Heat trade for Kevin Durant? sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 12:24 PM
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Lynx star Napheesa Collier is launching her own Nike KD 15 PE today — inspired by her Sierra Leonean heritage and featuring her mantra to never give up, “Any Na Way,” on the tongue.
@PHEEsespieces 🤝 @Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/2ZUFGSqtXn – 11:01 AM

StatMuse @statmuse
Players to average 20+ PPG in their rookie season (active players):
22.5 — Blake Griffin
21.2 — Luka Doncic
21.0 — Carmelo Anthony
20.9 — LeBron James
20.5 — Donovan Mitchell
20.3 — Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/iAElIPNKBp – 9:29 AM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Part 1 of the offseason Sixers mailbag is up.
Tackling a couple of lineup questions, the state of the small forward position, where the Sixers should be rooting Kevin Durant to end up, and power ranking the local sports teams at the moment: theathletic.com/3451581/2022/0… – 9:23 AM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
From PM: Heat draws line in sand with Brooklyn on Durant. Still interested, but not waiting around any more: miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 9:19 AM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
From yesterday: Heat looking ahead, remains disinclined to include Bam Adebayo in any trade offer for Kevin Durant. The latest on where things stand miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 9:03 AM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
NEW @TheCrossover Pod: Knicks offseason, Donovan Mitchell chatter w/@Ian Begley; latest on KD/Celtics w/@Chris Forsberg. Links: https://t.co/l8eHfbkR3g pic.twitter.com/A28N1SzGu6 – 8:56 AM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Jayson Tatum on Celtics trading for Durant: “I love the guys that we got.” nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/27/jay… – 8:41 AM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Good morning. I’m back from vacation. Teamed up with ⁦@Jared Weiss⁩ and ⁦@Jay King⁩ to unpack the Nets-Celtics trade reports on Kevin Durant: theathletic.com/3451780/2022/0… – 8:17 AM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Could there be a Jimmy Butler component to a Heat trade for Kevin Durant? Latest “Ask Ira” at sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… plus more. – 8:09 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Top 25 Point Guards of 2022-23 ranked by @Jorge Sierra:
#9: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Only players above him: Luka, Curry, Ja, Trae, Dame, CP3, Harden & Kyrie.
#24: Josh Giddey. Sandwiched between Lowry, DLo & Westbrook.
Every player #1-13 has been an All Star besides SGA. – 6:48 PM
Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer
Full episode of ‘Please Don’t Aggregate This’ with @Jared Weiss is now live on @getcallin.
A deep dive on KD and Boston, additional conversation, of course, about Brooklyn and Kyrie, the Lakers, Phoenix, Toronto, the Knicks, Donovan Mitchell and more: callin.com/link/ygnHXDmSMK – 5:21 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
And for those asking about Kyrie, I would be surprised if Heat begins to pursue. Heat is all about team over individual; Kyrie placed himself over team. Perhaps Riley and ownership wake up one day and change their mind, but that would be a reversal from current position. – 5:07 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
For the sickos who like to watch, Tuesday’s @LockedOnLakers pod, YouTube version. We discuss how a Durant-to-Celtics trade could prevent the Lakers from getting Kyrie, and Austin Reaves’ quest for a new nickname. @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
youtube.com/watch?v=UMPrhN… – 4:35 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Tuesday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! Why the Celtics aggressively pursuing Kevin Durant might hurt the Lakers’ chances of getting Kyrie Irving. Plus, Austin Reaves wants a new nickname. #FirstListen @LockedOnNBAPods @LockedOnNetwork
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doe… – 10:48 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
If the Lakers wind up getting Kyrie out of the KD fallout, I hope the Nets turn around and trade for Myles Turner.
A defense built around Turner, Jaylen Brown, Ben Simmons and either Derrick White or Marcus Smart would be absolutely bananas. – 1:48 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
POLL! Lakers fans! Do you want Kyrie badly enough that you’re cool with the Celtics getting Durant in the process? AK @LockedOnLakers @LockedOnNBAPods @LockedOnNetwork @ESPNLosAngeles – 11:53 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Screw it, here are my predictions:
Kevin Durant for Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, two unprotected picks and one swap.
Kyrie Irving and Buddy Hield to the Lakers, Russell Westbrook and the 2029 1st to Indiana, Talen Horton-Tucker, the 2027 first and two 2nds to Brooklyn. – 10:08 AM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Writing up my KD thoughts for @celticsblog and I’m struck by remembering that Boston traded for KG on July 31 and Kyrie Irving in mid-August.
The Celtics care not for your late-summer vacation plans. – 9:23 AM
Evan Sidery @esidery
The Lakers are in a bind, and it seems they have three remaining options: run it back, hold out for Kyrie Irving, or pull off a win-now deal.
For @basketbllnews, I explain why the Pacers present Los Angeles the most realistic pathway to quickly retool: basketballnews.com/stories/lakers… – 9:05 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
— Celtics vs Lakers
— Battle for banner 18
— Boston vs Kyrie
— KD vs Bron
This would be an amazing Finals if it happened. pic.twitter.com/r26Va6GPId – 8:32 AM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
If we’re to believe that part of why Durant wants out of BKN is their refusal to give his good friend Kyrie Irving a new max deal, hard to believe he’d OK a trade to Boston, given the Kyrie history there. – 8:05 AM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Durant talks, with Boston and everyone else, will still likely drag out. Teams want to see what kind of appetite Brooklyn has for bringing KD/Kyrie to training camp. That will determine if the Nets come off their steep asking price. – 7:52 AM

More on this storyline

Michael Scotto: Brooklyn wanted a package that could top the Rudy Gobert package that Utah got for him in the trade with Minnesota. To this point, that market has not materialized. There are some younger guys they’d be open to getting if they were going to move Kevin Durant. Scottie Barnes with Toronto, who has not been put on the table yet. You wondered if Brandon Ingram of the Pelicans could be a guy that’s put on the table? To this point, I’ve heard he’s not been put on the table. I also didn’t see Durant necessarily wanting to go to New Orleans as well. -via HoopsHype / July 28, 2022
Jared Weiss: They’re willing to replace Jaylen with Durant. They’re willing to risk the short-term age and injury risk to eschew a player who’s been consistently very good, has continued to improve, and was an All-Star two years ago. They’re willing to throw that away in order to get one of the best players in the game right now. Scotto: As far as Durant’s trade request to get out of Brooklyn, time will tell if that ends up getting honored or not. I’ll say this, Kobe Bryant at one time wanted out of the Lakers, and it didn’t happen. I think there’s still time here where it’s not a lock to me and other executives around the league that Durant gets traded. -via HoopsHype / July 28, 2022
Jake Fischer: Kevin Durant clearly believed there was an easy route for him to get to Phoenix. And wanted to play with Devin Booker and Chris Paul. And that was definitely a very, a very real component. -via Apple Podcasts / July 28, 2022
Clutch Points: “If [Kevin] Durant goes, I don’t see any way that the Nets just keep Kyrie [Irving]. I think if they can find a Durant trade, they will aggressively ramp up their desire to move Kyrie elsewhere.” @Marc Stein to @Keith Smith on Kyrie Irving trade rumors on @SpotifyLive pic.twitter.com/BtFduEhjfH -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / July 25, 2022