Kevin Durant drops trade demand: Why is it good for the Warriors?
Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant officially closed his NBA trade saga. KD and the Brooklyn Nets signed in for another season. The Nets’ All-Star forward will stay with the franchise. General manager Sean Marks confirmed it on Tuesday.
In a short time, Durant seemed interested in changing to a new team. Two months ago, he initially requested a trade from the Nets. Marks announced it on social media. KD continues his contract with the Nets on a four-year and $198 million extension.
Marks confirmed, “Steve Nash and I, together with Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai, met with Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman in Los Angeles yesterday. We have agreed to move forward with our partnership.”
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) August 23, 2022
This signals the end of the tumultuous 2022 offseason for the Nets, particularly when speculations began about Kyrie Irving’s future with the Nets. Which fully transformed into a full-blown issue when Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Considering that he still has four years left on his contract.
Although the future is still blurry for Durant’s feud with the Nets, at least the two are still on the same side now. Both are looking at the team’s future together.
As Marks said, “We are focusing on basketball, with one collective goal in mind: build a lasting franchise to bring a championship to Brooklyn.”
Durant signed in with the Nets in 2019. It was a sign-and-trade deal with the Golden State Warriors. KD finished his third season with the team. He averaged 29.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 7.4 rebounds in 55 games.
Breaking: Kevin Durant has reached an agreement with the Nets to stay in Brooklyn, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/q1rQn1bG7D
— ESPN (@espn) August 23, 2022
Furthermore, the Golden State Warriors fans may have been expectant of Durant on the team this season as the 33-year-old star player seemed like re-joining the Warriors when the trade deal landed on the table. However, KD staying with the Nets is a positive thing for the Warriors.
Looking at how things stand now, the Golden State Warriors would remain the favorite team to win the NBA Championship this season. While the Boston Celtics are the next favored team. If Durant landed on the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, or the Memphis Grizzlies, the progressive dynamic in the NBA would have impactful changes.
For instance, the Warriors would not likely be the top favorite to win the NBA Championship. Thus, the other teams would be the best team on the list. In addition, the Warriors are still in their best spot to be in the championship again in the next season.
Furthermore, the big question between Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets stays the same. What is the significant impact of this news on NBA players Kyrie Irving, Durant, the Nets, and the Eastern Conference? Will their team be the new Eastern favorites?
The answer remains uncertain. But one thing’s for sure, with Durant entering the 16th season, the Brooklyn Nets will be one of the strongest contenders in the East and the whole NBA league.
