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Kevin Durant Might Leave Brooklyn Nets if 3 Time NBA Champions Get Their Wish As Per Surprising Reports

Published 06/28/2022, 2:35 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Kevin Durant has a very interesting situation brewing up this off-season. With possible news of Kyrie Irving’s departure, the Slim Reaper might also look for a new destination. Durant’s time with the Nets has not been successful. Hence, these rumors have heated up since last week.

In regards to the possibility of signing Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant this summer, the Miami Heat are rumored to be very interested. The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang has written how Kyrie Irving’s uncertain and unpredictable future might influence whether the Heat and other franchises would be able to pursue Durant.

Chiang stated, “There would be significant interest from numerous teams, including the Heat, in adding Durant if he were to become available. Durant, who turns 34 in September, is still considered among the league’s top players even after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2019.”

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Irving’s player option covers the 2022–23 season, although negotiations with the Nets for a new deal have stalled. The deadline for making that decision is this Wednesday. It might have indicated that Irving was going to forego the last year of his contract.

However, there have been developments from Irving’s side. He has opted for his $36.5M player option for the 2022-23 NBA season. Irving will return to the Nets for one more year.

Will Kyrie Irving’s situation influence Kevin Durant?

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the player chose to exercise his player option. The maverick point guard told the outlet, “Normal people keep the world moving, but those who dare to be different lead us towards tomorrow. I’ve decided to participate. Till then, take care. A11even.”

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It highlights the unpredictableness of Irving’s thoughts. There were indications he would sign for the Lakers. Irving’s agents asked and had permit to talk with NBA’s other front offices about a sign-and-trade on Monday. ESPN had reported that the only franchise interested in it was the Los Angeles Lakers.

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According to a source, the Nets had no interest in re-signing Lakers’ Russell Westbrook, the former league MVP. He is going to get $47M next season and is coming off the worst season of his career. There were rumors that Irving might dip into true free agency. He would have been able to sign with the Lakers for their $6 million mid-level exception, but that was not to be.

The Nets have no cap space. They do have trade exceptions. This includes the $6M taxpayer’s mid-level exception and a few others worth $11.6M, $6.3M, and $3.3M.

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Hence, next season, we might just see the big debut of Irving, Durant, and Ben Simmons playing together. Durant still can leave, despite Irving’s commitment to the Nets franchise. It will be an interesting offseason for Brooklyn, but for now, continuity is back n the table.

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Written by:

Aditya Kar

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Aditya Kar is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. A holder of Bachelors and Masters degrees in History, he has been a fan of the NBA since 2011. He has a very keen interest in the stories that define the league and the sport.
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Edited by:

Sreeda U M