The start of the 2022-2023 NBA season is more than two months away, and the Brooklyn Nets' saga involving Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is still perhaps far from over. Shams Charania of The Athletic produced the latest bombshell on Monday related to Durant's early-summer trade request.
Sources: Kevin Durant informed Joe Tsai that he does not have faith in the Nets‘ direction. The meeting was described as transparent and professional, with a clear message: Keep me -- or the GM and coach. https://t.co/W1voNf9MDC https://t.co/0lbBay2OxF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 8, 2022
"Durant and Tsai spoke in London on Saturday and sources described the discussion as transparent and professional. The meeting took place a year to the day that Durant agreed to a four-year, $198 million contract extension with the Nets and barely over a month after his initial trade request on June 30. He is now entering the first of that extension," Charania wrote. "The Nets have direct knowledge of the reasons behind Durant’s request, sources said, and understand that the 12-time All-Star will continue to be resolute in his stance. Durant is believed to want a change of scenery heading into his 16th season."
While the regular season doesn't begin until mid-October, training camp is quickly approaching and according to Charania, "people have wondered" across the league whether Durant could miss camp if a trade doesn't take place.
Although things remain stagnant on both the Durant and Irving front, the Nets have been busy this offseason. Brooklyn landed Royce O'Neale in a trade with the Utah Jazz soon after Durant's trade request and later signed former Indiana Pacer T.J. Warren in early July.
O'Neale or Warren could possibly slide into Durant's starting forward role this coming season.
Per Charania, the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are currently the "most significant" candidates to acquire Durant.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!