The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly not the front-runners to sign superstar Kevin Durant this summer, despite previous reports.
This is the great thing about the free agency period in the NBA. Reports could go one way and then sway the other way in the mere matter of moments.
That’s exactly what’s happening now with superstar Kevin Durant.
Previous reports stated that the Brooklyn Nets were gaining confidence as far as the free agency process, and were becoming the front-runners to sign Durant. The Nets seemed to be the favorites to sign Kyrie Irving as well, which would put together a star-studded roster for years to come.
However, reports are now coming out that the Nets actually aren’t the favorites to land Durant.
Ian Begley of SNY writes, “Sources familiar with the matter told SNY that the Nets are not the frontrunners or favorites to sign Durant at the moment.
According to David Aldridge of The Athletic, Durant actually isn’t sure if he’ll take meetings with teams when free agency begins on Sunday.
Kevin Durant has not yet decided whether he will actually take meetings with prospective teams when free agency begins Sunday evening, but if he and his group do, the discussions will be in New York City, per source.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 27, 2019
The teams that are interested in Durant are the Nets, the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors. Durant just opted out of a player option with the latter that would’ve been worth $31.5 million. This gives him the option to test other teams’ offers or even test a max offer from Golden State themselves.
The Warriors can offer a five-year, $220 million max deal. The Nets, Knicks, and Clippers can only offer him a max deal of four years, $164 million.
Durant is currently dealing with a ruptured Achilles sustained in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Despite the injury keeping him off the floor for next season, one team is going to get a superstar on the roster come next week. If it’s the Warriors, more trips to the Finals could be in their future.
