The Phoenix Suns are still in contention to get the megastar, Kevin Durant, from the Brooklyn Nets. The team owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks don’t seem to be rushing to get the deal done and remain determined to explore every trade option and get the best deal. Reportedly, Marks is holding out for a young player and several draft picks, showing that the Suns will have to include a third team as a trade partner.
Kevin Durant Is a 12-Time All-Star, Currently With the Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durant still has four more years remaining on his $198 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Apparently, the Nets have been in consistent contact with Miami Heat and the Suns after Durant requested a trade on the first day of free agency. The preferred destinations for Durant appear to be Phoenix and Miami, but a deal might require a third or fourth trade partner to make it happen.
The Nets Don’t Deem a Trade to Be Imminent or at an Advanced Stage
Durant’s preferred Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat have both been in consistent contact with the Nets. Both teams may not have enough to do a deal with the Nets without doing three-team or four-team trades. Superstar players have a history of heft when it comes to choosing their ideal next landing spot during the requesting of trades. Still, the Nets seem to have the upper hand when it comes to where Durant could go next. They are, apparently, assessing what trading Durant could command based on the several all-star player trades that have occurred since free agency began.
It seems the Suns will have control over their future first-round draft picks for at least five years and more, which could be part of a trade package for Durant. Also, there’s been widespread speculation that the Nets could check Phoenix starting wing and the runner-up for this year’s Defensive Player of the Year, Mikal Bridges, in a trade package. It could also include the Suns’ other all-star, Chris Paul. Reportedly, the Nets aren’t interested in restricted free agent center Deandre Ayton because they’d be instantly hard-capped.
No First-Round Draft Picks Yet
As it is, the Nets don’t have first-round draft picks for the next five years, just as they had none in this June’s draft. That’s because they acquired Harden from Houston. At the same time when the Rockets dealt Harden, the Nets gave the Rockets their unprotected first-round picks for 2022, 2024, and 2026. They also gave away their unprotected first-round pick swaps for 2023, 2025, and 2027.
For now, the pending Durant trade seems to be in the future and could take the entire summer or even longer, despite that fans and the Suns would have hoped for a decision in a matter of days.
The Best Coach Redemption Stories From the NCAA
Since the NCAA was founded in 1906, college basketball coaches have had to adhere to their rules and ensure that they are following protocol. While most of them do this without question, there are others who find themselves floundering at the first hurdle. This was the case for these basketball coaches, who received the show-cause penalty at some point in their careers. However, they have since turned things around, and their success stories are something to be proud of.
Bruce Pearl
Those familiar with Bruce Pearl will know that he got in a spot of trouble when it was discovered that he had disclosed false information to the NCAA while working at Tennessee. He was given a three-year show cause for his misdemeanor, and during this time, he worked in marketing for a grocery distribution firm. His days in basketball weren’t over, though, as he has since been able to make his way back into the sport to become the head coach for the Auburn Tigers.
Steve Forbes
In 2011, Steve Forbes received a one-year show-cause, but that didn’t stop him from continuing his basketball dreams. While he didn’t get to stay with the Demon Deacons, he quickly moved down the ranks to become the head coach at Northwest Florida State. Since then, he has been able to repair his reputation and make his way back into the NCAA as the head coach at Wake Forest.
Kelvin Sampson
Kelvin Sampson was handed a five-year show-cause in 2008 after decades leading some of the biggest teams to victory, and this came as a huge blow to many. However, he didn’t let this dampen his spirits, and he soon made his way into the NBA as an assistant. This determination worked in his favor, as he is now the head coach of the Cougars.
It’s amazing to see that these coaches have redeemed themselves after an awkward few years.