The 2022 NBA Draft has just concluded and it was an eventful one. Paolo Banchero, who the Orlando Magic managed to land as a player. The trade rumors have started to take shape and they too are turning out to be entertaining. There have been reports that the Portland Trailblazers are eyeing up a trade for Kevin Durant.
The Brooklyn Nets have been one of the continuous names in the headlines. Their two stars, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were rumored to leave Brooklyn. Kyrie’s situation last year with the Nets has been reported to also upset Durant as well.
KD enjoyed a decent season individually with the Nets. Despite claims that he fell off after leaving GSW, he managed to average 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists during the 2021-22 regular season. He could not have expected that things were only going to get worse for the Nets. The Brooklyn franchise lost to the Boston Celtics badly in the first round of the playoffs.
Portland Trail Blazer’s Damian Lillard teased Kevin Durant
Durant has failed to win the title after leaving the Warriors, who won it this year without him. The American player signed a 4-year deal this year with the Nets. His contract sees him earning more than a staggering $190m for four years. He will be approaching free agency in 2026.
Damian Lillard posted this photo with Kevin Durant on Instagram 👀 pic.twitter.com/a5DpWxqaqA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 25, 2022
Furthermore, the rumors of KD going to Portland basically started off with Dame. He posted an edited picture of him and Kevin Durant in the Trail Blazers uniform. Moreover, Lillard deleted the story in just a couple of hours. It would have disappeared from Lillard’s account in 24 hours anyway.
There was one question on everyone’s minds; Why did Dame post the story? Was it to express his intention to play with KD? Was it to suggest something was in the works between the two teams? Therefore, fans were questioning the picture all over social media.
However, KD’s counterpart, Kyrie’s decision to stay with the Nets was the nail in the coffin for Durant’s trade rumors.
He chose to opt-in for the final year of his contract. Moreover, his decision to stay clearly suggests he means business in the upcoming season. It seems like KD was also convinced to stay after Kyrie chose to extend his stay in Brooklyn.