Kevin Durant requests trade from Brooklyn Nets, rocking NBA landscape

There’s never a dull moment in the NBA off-season but this trade request is unprecedented in the basketball league’s history.

Kevin Durant has reportedly requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets just a day after Kyrie Irving opted in to the final year of his contract. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images).

Brooklyn has been blown up.

Nets superstar Kevin Durant has rocked the NBA landscape by requesting a trade from a team he’s called home since 2019, per reports.

The 15-year veteran’s management will work with Brooklyn on finding him a new team despite the 2014 NBA MVP having four years remaining on a contract extension he signed last year.

It’s an unprecedented move by a player of Durant’s stature with so much time remaining on his deal but initial signs are the Nets won’t stand in his way.

It comes in the same week Durant’s teammate and close friend Kyrie Irving opted in to the final year of his contract with Brooklyn – a sign many saw that the team was ready to run it back after getting swept out of the playoffs by Boston.

But whatever perceived commitment the pair had to continue their careers together appears over now as the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat emerge as Durant’s preferred landing spots.

Scary Hours

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 30, 2022

contracts are just words on paper.

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 30, 2022

As the Nets prepare to move one of the most valuable trade assets ever on the market, the entire roster will available to discuss in deals, sources tell ESPN. Teams have been calling on Durant, and the Nets will certainly look for a historic return on players and draft picks.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Kyrie opts in and KD still wants out. Incredible. With four years left on his deal and Durant, at 34, still playing at an MVP level, Brooklyn could — and should — get back one of the largest trade packages in NBA history.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 30, 2022

Durant’s decision has major implications for the NBA futures of Australian players Ben Simmons and Patty Mills.

Simmons, who was traded to the Nets last season, could now be sent anywhere if the franchise decides he’s not in its long-term plans.

Mills has greater control after declining to pick up the second-year option on his contract with Brooklyn and entering free agency. His return to the Nets would now seem unlikely given his preference to play for a championship contender.

"Feeling incredible”

Ben Simmons posted this on his IG story a couple hours ago 😬 pic.twitter.com/i4iHX7n2sM

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 30, 2022