REPORT: Anonymous Executive Believes Kevin Durant Could Retire Before Playing For Nets Again
EDITOR’S NOTES: Kevin Durant refuted Marc Stein’s report about an executive saying he’d rather retire than play for the Nets by saying even though he knows there’s fans that’ll believe an unnamed source, he doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon.
I know most people will believe unnamed sources over me but if it’s anyone out there that’ll listen, I don’t plan on retiring anytime soon. Shit is comical at this point.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 15, 2022
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, an anonymous NBA executive believes Kevin Durant is more likely to retire than play for the Brooklyn Nets again.
The Nets and Durant’s future is in doubt after Durant made a trade request and reportedly wants to head to a championship contender like the 76ers or the Heat. Multiple reports came out last week that Durant let the Nets know he was adamant about leaving and gave team owner Joe Tsai an ultimatum, either keep him or keep GM Sean Marks and Coach Steve Nash.
Durant has played sparingly with the Nets since he arrived while recovering from his torn Achilles injury. The team has cycled through players around Durant and Kyrie Irving but has not found any significant playoff success given the high expectations. According to Stein, there is a “growing expectation” that Durant might cause a stir to get out of Brooklyn.
Additionally, Stein said he was given this information by a “well-connected” executive and reported this information about Durant “based on what he was hearing” while covering the 2022 Summer League.
James Harden forced his way out of the team halfway through last season, Irving’s status is also up in the air, but the Nets have not ruled out moving him either. Nets majority owner Joe Tsai has come out onto Twitter and stated which side of the aisle he stands on with this situation.
With training camp six weeks away, the Nets and their makeup for the 2022-2023 season hang in the balance.
