Kevin Durant Rumors: Nets Star Doesn't 'Appear to Be' on Trade Block After Nash Exit

The Brooklyn Nets reportedly aren't considering a blockbuster Kevin Durant trade in the immediate aftermath of head coach Steve Nash's departure from the organization.

Yahoo Sports' Vincent Goodwill reported Tuesday that Nets general manager Sean Marks doesn't "appear to be considering" a Durant trade because he's hopeful Ime Udoka, the favorite to take over as the team's new head coach, can "rescue" the franchise.

KD requested a trade in late June, but no team was able to meet Brooklyn's sky-high asking price, which led Marks to release a statement in August saying the sides had "agreed to move forward with our partnership" heading into the 2022-23 season.

Any hope the Nets could put the past few drama-filled years behind them to emerge as championship contenders had already began to fade during the early stages of the campaign, though. They own a 2-6 record, tied for the NBA's fourth-worst mark.

The franchise decided to part ways with Nash, who had a 94-67 record in two seasons in Brooklyn.

"I've gotten to know Steve during his time in Brooklyn, and he is not one to shy away from challenges," team governor Joe Tsai said. "My admiration and respect for him grew over time as he brought hard work and positive attitude to our organization every day, even in periods of exceptional storm surrounding the team."

Nash's exit raised questions about whether the Nets were going to head toward a full-scale reconstruction of not only the coaching staff but also the roster. So far, it doesn't sound like that'll be the case.

The talent is there, led by Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, for Brooklyn to make some noise this season, but far too often the focus has been on something other than basketball since KD and Kyrie joined the organization as free agents in June 2019.

"Let's be real, we're pros, we're veterans. We had a tough start," Durant told reporters after Tuesday's loss to the Chicago Bulls. "It was a rocky year last year, rocky summer. We knew that everybody was being evaluated. That's just how it is in the league."

Now the Nets are seemingly about to pin their hopes of a turnaround on Udoka, who was suspended by the Boston Celtics in September for multiple violations of team policies. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported an independent investigation found Udoka "crude language in his dialogue with a female subordinate prior to the start of an improper workplace relationship with the woman."

Udoka remained under contract with the Celtics despite the season-long suspension, meaning the organization had to green-light any interviews with other teams. Wojnarowski reported the C's wouldn't stop him from taking another job, though.

It would represent a Hail Mary attempt to salvage the Nets' push to win a title with their current core, which has fallen well short of expectations so far.

If Brooklyn can't right the ship following a coaching change, the front office may have no choice but to make large-scale changes next offseason.