NBA Trade Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers keeping a close eye on Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
Kevin Durant (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

NBA Trade Rumors: Amid the Brooklyn Nets’ early-season issues, the Philadelphia 76ers are holding out hope to acquire Kevin Durant.

The Brooklyn Nets remain one of the most talented teams in the league. But, for one reason or another, they continue to struggle to win games. If that continues, there’s a decision that this front office will need to make regarding the immediate future of the franchise.

This past offseason, Kevin Durant made a trade demand that was ultimately not fulfilled. There was some sort of agreement made between the front office and Durant. What that was, we may never know, but perhaps that all changes if the losing continues for the Nets.

If that may be the case, maybe there is a chance we see Durant back on the trade market ahead of this year’s trade deadline. And if so, there’s one team that is waiting for their shot to land Durant. The Philadelphia 76ers.

According to a recent report, the Sixers will continue to be persistent in their pursuit of Durant.

There’s an outside chance the Brooklyn Nets trade Kevin Durant at the deadline

I don’t believe that the Nets trading Durant is as outrageous as some believe it to be. Look at it this way, the Nets are currently 6-8 and in 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings. They have been massively underwhelming so far this season.

If they can’t right the ship sooner rather than later and Ben Simmons continues to fail to show much promise, is it really worth it for the Nets to act as if all is right when it isn’t? I’d argue no.

In that case, it may in fact be in the best interest of the Nets to try and sell their assets and try to make the most of this situation. That means replacing some of the draft assets that they lost in the James Harden trade. Doing so may not be that difficult with as many tradable pieces that the Nets have on their roster.

And Durant is at the forefront of those pieces. He would bring a huge haul and could help jumpstart this franchise’s next move – whether that’s a full rebuild or a small retooling.

If the Nets get to that place, there will be plenty of suitors for Durant. Especially if they drop the asking price a bit. And you can bet that the Sixers will try to get in on the bidding war.