Marc Stein reveals how the Kevin Durant trade unfolded

The 2022-23 NBA trade deadline created a massive shift in the league. The Brooklyn Nets, to nobody’s surprise, were in the center of the spotlight, perhaps for the last time in a while.

The trade deadline saw Brooklyn lose both of their superstars in a short four-day span. Once Kyrie Irving got traded to the Dallas Mavericks, speculations of Kevin Durant’s exit showered the NBA realm. And early on Feb. 9, while fans in the United States were asleep, an agreement was reached to send Durant to the Phoenix Suns.

A recent report from Marc Stein revealed how the situation unfolded in Brooklyn. Stein stated that Irving’s exit was an indication for other teams to prepare, as Durant was on his way out after the season.

"“There was a tangible belief in many corners of the league that the Nets, after moving slowly in the wake of Durant’s first trade demand just as free agency was starting, would try to employ a similar strategy: Finish out the season before finally conceding in July that Durant would have to go this time because the Nets’ Dream Superteam concept was doomed for good.” -Marc Stein."

It is no question that Durant’s relationship with the Nets was far from perfect. The same could be said about Irving. The hype that came with their signings in 2019 was tremendous. However, what followed was one disaster after another. It all started when the James Harden experiment in 2021-22 blew out of proportion. Irving’s refusal to get vaccinated for COVID-19 became the catalyst for the “big 3” chapter of the story to close. After Durant fell to an MCL injury, Harden carried a lot of weight during home games as New York City’s vaccine mandate kept Irving from the Barclays Center. Harden would ask for a trade and landed with the Philadelphia 76ers midseason. Brooklyn tried to fill Harden’s void with Ben Simmons, whom they got in return, but that led to a disappointment that the Nets are now stuck with.

Then there was the hectic offseason after the Nets got swept out of the first round by the Boston Celtics. Reports of Durant telling the Nets to pick between him or former head coach Steve Nash flooded. Both would remain into the new season before Nash’s firing in November. Since then, the Nets have flourished with new head coach Jacque Vaughn in charge and what looked like a committed Durant and Irving in front of the pack. Unfortunately, on Jan. 8, Durant hurt his MCL again, and things started to fall apart south of Manhattan. A month later, the storybook ended, but they’re not living happily ever after (maybe not yet), as Irving and Durant sought to seek their luck out west.

"“Others I spoke to, though, were convinced that Durant could still be traded before the deadline immediately after Irving, despite the various reports and whispers suggesting that he was staying put. Any such public chatter in the buildup to the deadline obscured what was really happening.”"

The moment Irving’s trade was announced, Durant became the talk of the town. Observant eyes glared, waiting for his next move. Real NBA fans know that the trades get crazier as the deadline approaches. And while nobody knows if this was planned or not, the Nets pulled the trigger on Durant’s trade in the late hours and the basketball world woke up in shock.

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1624470120302284800

"“League sources say that Durant told the Nets shortly after Irving’s abrupt departure that he wanted to be traded immediately to Phoenix if a deal could be struck — but without the public knowing that he had requested a trade for the second time in eight months.”"

The Nets have secured some good acquisitions in exchange for star power. Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Spencer Dinwiddie, on top of Brooklyn’s already existent young talents and veteran presence complete the new-look Nets. They also secured their future with the first-round pick in 2029 via Dallas, four unprotected Phoenix firsts, and a pick swap with the Suns in 2028.

Currently, 5th in the Eastern Conference and 1-2 since Durant and Irving’s departure, the midseason rendition of the Nets could still be promising once they find their groove. They are no longer the contender they once were with Durant and Irving, but they still promise to be an entertaining dark horse in the east.

"After three-and-a-half seasons in Brooklyn filled with much more tumult than success, Irving’s sudden trade demand on Feb. 3 was indeed the breaking point for Nets owner Joe Tsai and GM Sean Marks. But they did it KD’s way and still got the deal they wanted."

Irving, Durant, and the Nets all have clean slates. But there’s only so much a fresh start can do. There is no denying how much of a letdown that chapter in Brooklyn was– all promises with no results. It is a shame that they were unable to finish what they started. While any bitter feelings toward the situation are understandable, Irving and Durant set them up well for the rest of the season. That may not be a championship, but that’s as good as they can give.