From bad to worse: Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant requests trade

On Thursday, the Brooklyn Nets‘ worst fears became a reality. Franchise star Kevin Durant has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, his business manager Rich Kleiman told ESPN’s, Adrian Wojnarowski. Durant listed the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat as preferred destinations. The twelve-time All-Star was supposed to enter next season in the first year of a four-year, $194 million extension. The Nets have Durant under contract through the 2025-26 season.

In the Summer of 2019, the Brooklyn Nets’ future seemed brighter than ever, receiving three of the top 75 NBA players in Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. After dealing with Harden forcing himself out of Brooklyn before this year’s All-Star break, the Nets now are having to deal with the offseason drama with Durant and Irving.

The Nets would still be a heavy favorite to win it all next year if they were to keep the roster as presently constructed and everyone is healthy. But as every hour of free agency passes by, it seems more and more unlikely that we’ll ever get to see the big three of Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant be on the court together.