Report: Nets don't plan to trade KD before deadline
The Brooklyn Nets have told teams that they aren't planning on moving Kevin Durant ahead of Thursday afternoon's NBA trade deadline, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Durant is currently having "ongoing conversations" with the Nets' brass regarding the direction of the franchise in the aftermath of Kyrie Irving's trade to the Dallas Mavericks last week, Wojnarowski adds.
Durant was interested in potentially being dealt to the Phoenix Suns last summer, but the Nets haven't shown a willingness to trade the two-time Finals MVP, Wojnarowski reports.
Durant eventually rescinded his trade request after meeting with Brooklyn's front office leading into the season.
Durant is under contract through the 2025-26 campaign. The Nets superstar is averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 boards, 5.3 boards, and 1.5 blocks over 39 appearances. He's shooting a career-best 55.9% from the field and a league-leading 93.4% from the charity stripe.
The 34-year-old has missed the past 13 games with an MCL sprain. The Nets have gone 5-8 during that span. He is not expected to return in time for the All-Star Game on Feb. 19, for which he was voted a starter, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn told reporters including ESPN's Nick Friedell that Durant had yet to be cleared for contact, but had a "really good report" in his checkup with doctors.
Brooklyn sits fifth in the East with a 32-21 record entering Tuesday.