Kevin Durant Rumors: Nets Prioritizing Players over Picks in Trade Negotiations

According to a report, the Brooklyn Nets want to remain competitive and not build around draft picks.

"I'm told that the Nets want to get players back in this deal, that they want the prime assets in this deal to be a star player or high-level star players, that they're not focused on draft picks, but I'm sure they want draft picks too

Over the last week, the Nets have been looking at a trade for KD. In order to get the best package for the 12-time All-Star, who has four years left on his contract, Brooklyn is expected to cast a wide net.

The damage to his reputation over the last year has caused Irving's market to be less active. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium said that there is no traction on a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

It's possible that the Nets decide on a destination for KD.

Since his trade request leaked to the media, the Phoenix Suns have been installed as the favorites to land him. Brooklyn's core of a solid young roster will be given a boost with a package that includes Miles Bridges, Deandre Ayton, and Cam Johnson.

It's not clear if Bridges or Ayton will ever become All-stars, and the Nets are trading one of the 15 greatest players in NBA history. It is possible that Phoenix will have to find a third team that is willing to give up a more proven player.

The Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are both hanging up. Toronto wouldn't be a championship favorite just by landing Durant, it's unclear if he would want to play for the Raptors for the next four seasons. No team is going to send out the necessary assets to land him without some level of commitment since the Nets have some power with him.

The Nets want a star like Bam Adebayo, but they can't get him because they have Ben Simmons. The teams can't have two rookies on the same team. It's not clear if Miami would be willing to add Adebayo to a trade with Oklahoma City.