You could not miss the bombshell that fell on the NBA on June 30, a few hours before the opening of the Free Agency. Kevin Durant asked his franchise, the Brooklyn Nets, for his trade. But now the more important question is: where could it go? And how to carry out such a historic transfer? Right away, zoom in on the Portland Trail Blazers and their possibilities in order to get KD back.
Friday June 30, 2022, 8:49 p.m. French time, the explosion falls.
Kevin Durant wants to leave Brooklyn, time is running out and Coco wants to win more rings. After the time of the exploding thermometer, the entire TrashTalk editorial team has therefore asked themselves THE question that torments us all… but where the hell will KD pursue his career? To do this, and because we like to push the delirium as far as possible, we have collectively decided to look at all the NBA franchises. Yes yes, all the franchises: 29 detailed articles, with a quick overview of what could happen.
Make way for Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers.
The situation of the Blazers
# Why would the Blazers go for KD?
Because Damian Lillard – a lifelong loyal to the Blazers – deserves to have a Kevin Durant-level superstar by his side. Because the Blazers want to get back to being competitive as soon as possible in order to maximize the end of the prime of Lady. Because it would make up for (a little) the blunder of 2007, when Portland preferred to bet on Greg Oden with his first choice of the Draft rather than KD. Because Kevin Durant is one of the top three players in the world. Clearly, the reasons abound in Oregon.
# Which players are unavailable?
Of course, Damian Lillard is untouchable. The Blazers plan instead to give him a two-year contract extension and are now looking to give him the best possible supporting cast. The ultimate goal for Portland would be to combine Dame DOLLA with Kevin Durant to make Portland a real title contender in the years to come.
Damian Lillard posted this photo with Kevin Durant on Instagram ???? pic.twitter.com/a5DpWxqaqA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 25, 2022
# Which Blazers players could catch the Nets’ attention?
- Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Nassir Little
It’s hard to say exactly what the Nets’ package requirements are, but general manager Sean Marks will no doubt want to pick up – in addition to numerous draft picks – at least one young All-Star caliber player, and/or nuggets which could one day explode in broad daylight. At this level, Portland has an interesting piece in Anfernee Simons (23 years old, more than 17 points and 4 average assists at 40% at 3-point range this season), he who has also just signed an extension of 100 million dollars over four years. Shaedon Sharpe, a super-talented fullback selected in seventh position in the 2022 Draft, could also catch the eye of Brooklyn leaders, as could 22-year-old energizer Nassir Little. And with that, to help match KD’s salary (43 million), an Eric Bledsoe (contract expiring 19.3 million, partially guaranteed for now) could do the trick.
# Do they have Draft picks to offer them?
By activating reconstruction mode during the February trade deadline, the Blazers have what they need in terms of draft picks. By 2029, Portland has seven first-round picks and eight second-round picks. The Oregon franchise, on the other hand, could be deprived of picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, the first round going to Chicago if it is outside the Lottery while the second goes to Boston.
Nets salary grid
The perfect Blazers package :
- Blazers send to Brooklyn: Anfernee Simons (sign-and-trade), Shaedon Sharpe, Nassir Little, 4 futurs picks de premier tour
- The Nets send to Portland: Kevin Durant
Feasibility score: 6/10
Kevin Durant on the Portland side? In fact, nothing is impossible and as a famous philosopher from Hérault said: it is by doing anything that you become anyone. To acquire KD, the Blazers know in any case what they have to do. So, is it tempting or not?