Sports // Golden State Warriors
August 22, 2022Updated: August 22, 2022 9:42 am
For now, Kevin Durant is still a Brooklyn Net.
Justin Ford/Getty Images
As the standoff with Kevin Durant continues, it seems like half of the NBA has kicked hoops with the Brooklyn Nets front office.
Yes, the Boston Celtics still have the best offer for Durant, The Athletic reported Monday morning. But that report featured a dizzying list of teams that have made far less tempting offers than Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and a selection. In addition to the Raptors and Heat, the obvious candidates have included the Sixers, Bucks, Hawks, Nuggets, Pelicans and Grizzlies (presumably lowball) offers for Durant, according to The Athletic.
The last team is by far the most interesting. A major reason the Durant trade request has dragged on for so long is that for the nets to even come close to fair value, the other team involved would have to essentially destroy the rest of their roster, leaving Durant with nothing to do when he arrived play leaves . The Grizzlies are one of the few teams in the league that have enough young depth and draft picks to make Durant a credible bid and build a strong team around him.
It probably won’t happen right now. The Athletic story goes on to say that Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane are unavailable in a theoretical Durant trade. But while the rest of the Western Conference stagnates, the Grizzlies are at least trying to do what it takes to dethrone the Warriors.
And while Durant probably won’t be in Memphis next season, it’s a joy to think about. The Warriors-Grizzlies rivalry, already marked by crisp play, hurt feelings, and extensive trash talk, would become thermonuclear. The Grizzlies would no longer be the little brother; For Warriors fans, Durant would go from “lovely ex” to public enemy #1. It would certainly be more fun than his dismal Brooklyn tenure.
Dennis Young is SFGATE Sports Editor. He can be reached at [email protected]