With the 2022-23 NBA season drawing nearer, 12-time All-Star Kevin Durant has reportedly given Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai an ultimatum.
KD expressed concerns about the Nets’ direction under coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks, and effectively told Tsai he would only remain with the team if the duo of Nash and Marks are fired. This is the latest phase of a saga that began June 30, when the forward told the Nets front office he wanted a trade just as the free agent period began.
Kevin Durant has reiterated his trade request to Nets governor Joe Tsai, per @ShamsCharania KD informed Tsai that “he does not have faith in the Nets’ direction.” pic.twitter.com/0PRrl7bQqL — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 8, 2022
Why the Change of Tune? The future of the forward has been the biggest talking point in the NBA since he requested a trade over a month ago. Be that as it may, he previously said, last April, that he felt Nash was doing his job “perfectly,” despite all the obstacles the Nets faced so far during his stint at the head of the bench. “I think he’s done a great job,” KD said at the time. “The last two years, he’s been dealt a wild hand. Injuries, trades, disgruntled players, guys in and out of the lineup, stuff that he can’t control.” “I felt like he’s handled it as best he could (and) I think it’s on us as players to make his job easier.” So how did the discordant tune emerge? Nets Owner Sticks Out Neck for Staff NBA Governors typically do not respond to reports about their teams, but to every rule there are exceptions. Hours after the Monday afternoon report, Tsai tweeted that the Nets “front office and coaching staff have my support.”
Kevin Durant reportedly gave Nets owner Joe Tsai an ultimatum, saying it's either GM Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash or him. Tsai has responded on Twitter 👀 pic.twitter.com/Qd10rj8KuC — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) August 9, 2022
What “the best interest” of the Nets is would be anyone’s guess. Trading away a star like Durant is unprecedented in the history of the NBA, and you can add owners tweeting about the status of their teams as part of that history. Note that KD is not a free agent; he has four years and $198 million remaining on his contract with the Nets, who will undoubtedly demand a haul of players and draft picks in any trade agreement for the four-time scoring champion, three-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time NBA champion. Disarray Looms With the benefit of hindsight, one will not be wrong to conclude that displeasure has taken a hold at Brooklyn since their first-round playoff exit with KD and Kyrie Irving’s status with the team moving forward unclear. Irving’s refusal to meet New York’s COVID-19 vaccine standards led him to be frequently sidelined and was partially blamed for derailing the Nets’ season.
The Nets and Irving did not agree to a long-term extension before Irving eventually opted into a $36.9 million option for the upcoming season. The guard is slated to become a free agent in 2023. Meanwhile, Durant’s trade request continues to hover the short and long-term future of the franchise.
"It's clear that Kevin Durant has checked out of Brooklyn.. Joe Tsai made it clear that he's siding with Sean Marks & Steve Nash" ~@ShamsCharania#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/fzzGqMU6bv — Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 9, 2022