Kevin Durant, Nets speaking franchise’s route

Posted on by

In the aftermath of the Kyrie Irving commerce, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant has been engaged in conversations with proprietor Joe Tsai and basic supervisor Sean Marks on the route of the franchise and its means to be a championship contender, sources instructed ESPN on Tuesday.

So far, the Nets have insisted to Durant and inquiring groups that the group has no intention of transferring him previous to Thursday afternoon’s commerce deadline, sources mentioned.

Durant — who requested out and later rescinded a commerce demand within the offseason — held a powerful curiosity in an offseason commerce to the Phoenix Suns, however that group and quite a few others have been instructed that the Nets aren’t fascinated about transferring Durant, sources mentioned. Phoenix’s new majority proprietor, Mat Ishbia, is totally engaged overseeing the operation and has been aggressive in pursuing methods to make a significant and rapid influence.

Since buying Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie and three draft picks within the deal that despatched Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, the Nets have been lively on a number of fronts in making an attempt to improve the roster round Durant, sources mentioned. The Nets created a roster spot on Tuesday once they agreed to commerce ahead Kessler Edwards and money to the Sacramento Kings, sources mentioned. The Nets saved probably $8 million in wage and luxurious tax with the deal, in response to ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks.

There is optimism that Durant, who’s at the moment out with an MCL sprain in his proper knee, will probably be able to return to the Nets’ lineup quickly after the mid-February All-Star break, sources mentioned.

Read also  NFL Draft RB rankings: Bijan Robinson stands out in deep class

“Really good update from the doctors,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned earlier than Tuesday’s sport in opposition to the Suns, whereas including that there isn’t a timetable for Durant’s return. “So he’ll continue to progress his on-court activities so all was good.”

Durant, 34, has three years and $153 million left on his contract after this season. Durant attended the Nets’ loss to the LA Clippers on Monday evening in Brooklyn however didn’t reply reporters’ questions on his manner out of the Barclays Center.

Information from ESPN’s Nick Friedell was used on this report.