The saga of the Kevin Durant trade request continues.
Weeks after reports of Durant's trade request surfaced, there has seemingly been no movement towards a deal, prompting Durant to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Nets owner Joe Tsai.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the meeting consisted of Durant reiterating his request and giving the Nets an ultimatum: Choose him or the pairing of general manager Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash.
In a meeting with Nets owner Joe Tsai, Kevin Durant reiterated his trade request and informed Tsai that Tsai needs to choose between Durant or the pairing of general manager Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash, sources say.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 8, 2022
Story: https://t.co/W1voNf9MDC
Per Charania's report, Durant's request stems from the 12-time All-Star's lack of faith in the franchise's direction.
Here's more from Charania on the dynamic between the franchise and Durant:
The Nets have direct knowledge of the reasons behind Durant’s request, sources said, and understand that the 12-time All-Star will continue to be resolute in his stance. Durant is believed to want a change of scenery heading into his 16th season.
Based on Charania's reporting, Durant plans to remain firm in his stance, which given the timing of the report is very relevant.
Tsai took to Twitter himself addressing the meeting, reiterating that the front office and coaching staff have the owner's full support.
Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.
— Joe Tsai (@joetsai1999) August 8, 2022
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Now that over a month has passed since he initially made the request, NBA teams are just several weeks away from convening from training camps. Given the lack of progression on trade negotiations, this trade saga — and Durant's ultimatum — could loom large as the Nets prepare for training camp in late September.
As currently constructed, Brooklyn has built a roster capable of competing in the East. This offseason, the Nets have added Royce O'Neale and T.J. Warren, and anticipate the returns of Joe Harris and Ben Simmons, who were sidelined during the 2022 NBA Playoffs due to injury.
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Durant, who will be 34 next season, might believe in the roster, but he does not appear to believe in the people that have been tasked to lead it.
Charania also reported that following Durant's trade request, almost every NBA team has made an inquiry but no team has been able to meet Brooklyn's "sky-high threshold for the return the franchise wants for Durant."
MORE: What a team needs to offer to land Kevin Durant in a trade
Should the Nets choose to stick with Marks and Nash, Charania reports that the Celtics, Raptors and Heat remain as the "most significant candidates to acquire Durant."