Would Kevin Durant Really Retire?
The Kevin Durant saga has taken yet another turn, as rumors now have it that the former MVP would rather retire than continue playing in Brooklyn.
Is it another temper tantrum? A failed superteam? Call it whatever you want, but he will probably get his wish of a trade. However, if the slim chances of Nets owner Joe Tsai keeping him around remain, then imagine Durant, one of the greatest offensive players in history, retiring. What would you make of his career? Unrivaled talent, of course. But the execution and support weren’t there when it mattered most. That goes on to portray a very murky picture.
Despite making himself clear only seven days ago, another page in this book has been added. Remember this is a player who created burner accounts to defend himself on social media during his time with Golden State. A player who threw loyalty out of the window to get there, too. The sad truth is he has a very similar effect on teams to LeBron James. Despite being in the championship picture every season, the team will be burned out. In terms of team salary, draft compensation, and young talent, it all goes out the window when KD is around. More likely than not, Durant will leave a team worse off than he found it — the Warriors are an exception.
But he can’t actually retire, right? He’s only 33 and still has years left of playing at an elite level in the NBA.
Who Will Pony Up?
With all that in mind, the only thing Durant needs is a new team. The Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns were originally contenders when the news first broke. However, talks have seemingly cooled down as the summer went on. Most recently, the Boston Celtics were touted as Durant’s next destination. Parting with pieces like Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, as well as considerable draft picks, would put a very large strain on the Celtics team, though. It would be made worse if the combo of KD and Tatum could not win a championship together. However, the package will be gargantuan, no matter where he ends up.
At face value, the Heat would probably have to package a majority of the supporting cast that made them the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed this year. And I highly doubt Phoenix wants to give up Devin Booker or Deandre Ayton to make their window even shorter. However, I really can’t see another team (maybe the Raptors?) that could get into the Durant sweepstakes.
So, What Will Happen?
If you ask me, I think Durant will get traded. Someone will blink in this staring contest between now and October. While I doubt KD will heed Andrew Bogut’s advice on forcing a trade, I have a feeling it’s going to get done. Someone is going to overpay and pull the trigger. The reason? It is very likely that a player like Kevin Durant will never be on the trade market again. Giannis and Luka strike me as guys who will honor their contracts. Trae Young is a tier below, but he is loyal to Atlanta. Zion could leave New Orleans someday, but he is nowhere near Durant. When I tell you this is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle in the NBA, I mean it.
UPDATE: Kevin Durant has put the rumors to rest. Minutes ago he just tweeted:
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