« Reply #517 on: August 11, 2022, 09:15:40 AM »
Today's Durant fan-fiction reports:
There’s good reason for pessimism, Durant’s ultimatum to Nets owner Joe Tsai did not light a fire under trade talks. If anything, it made it far less likely a deal gets done in the short term. — why would Boston improve its offer now? It robbed the Nets of leverage. For example, Brooklyn was trying to get Boston to put Smart in the trade, but why would they even consider it now? That said, even without Smart (or Robert Williams III, sources told NBC Sports he is not available), a Celtics offer with Jaylen Brown may be the best one the Nets will see. – via Kurt Helin @ NBC Sports
Chris Mannix: I had one executive who was not involved in the Durant sweepstakes say to me ‘if the Nets don’t have the stomach to bring him to training camp, they should find a way to do a deal with Boston because they’re not going to get a better player in a deal than Jaylen Brown’.
Ric Bucher: I’m told that they wanted to trade Kyrie midway through this past season, and KD told them absolutely not. And they went along with it. Now, I’ve also been told while they’re still good friends, that maybe KD doesn’t value him quite the same way as a teammate. I’m not so sure about that.
And, an added bonus Kyrie rumor that I'm skeptical of (because Bucher) but I'll believe it anyway (because Kyrie):
Ric Bucher: Joe Tsai has already shown he’s willing to play hardball with Kyrie by taking a max extension off the table almost immediately. Now, part of that may be Kyrie’ doing. I’m told he wanted his new contract to guarantee he wouldn’t have to play more than 60 games in a season and would not have to play any back the backs which he apparently referred to as inhumane.
JKJB and let the Nets wallow in their self-made misery
Yeah, I can't see how any of this would make someone want Durant on the Celtics. I don't think it is a stretch to pose the question, who is going to be more valuable over the next 4 years, Brown or Durant? I know, Brown may bolt but Durant may quit. Just assume both play for one team for the entire 4 years. Good chance both are good but I'll take Brown.
If you told me that Durant and Brown would both play at least 4 years, then Durant is the better option because he is a significantly better player right now and that very easily could mean the difference between winning a title or not. Now sure, 4 years from now Brown will almost certainly be better than Durant, but I don't think Brown will be better than Durant is right now.
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2023 Historical Draft - Brooklyn Nets - 9th pick
Bigs - Pau, Amar'e, Issel, McGinnis, Roundfield
Wings - Dantley, Bowen, J. Jackson
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