The Memphis Grizzlies are interested in acquiring Kevin Durant from the Warriors.
The Memphis Grizzlies are interested: Reports say that the Warriors’ newest rival has joined the race to trade for Kevin Durant. The Athletic’s Shams Charania said on Monday, citing sources, that the Memphis Grizzlies want to trade for the Brooklyn Nets’ star player.
Charania says that Memphis’s five first-round draft picks are the best thing it has to offer in trade talks. One of these picks is a protected first-rounder in 2024 that the Grizzlies got from Golden State when the Warriors traded Andre Iguodala and the pick to clear cap space and finish the sign-and-trade deal with the Nets for D’Angelo Russell in 2020.
Grizzlies’ Moves
The Grizzlies are now one of the teams to watch in the Western Conference. In 2021-22, Memphis had a franchise-best 56 wins, but they lost to the Warriors in a tough six-game playoff series. However, they have surrounded their star player, Ja Morant, with one of the most exciting and young teams in basketball. Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ziaire Williams are all under 25 years old, and they are all on the team.
Charania says, though, that the Grizzlies won’t trade Jackson or Bane for Durant. Instead, they want to make the deal about their first-round picks.
Hot Trades
Since June, when Durant asked the Nets to trade him, the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat have been said to be the teams most likely to make a blockbuster trade happen. Last month, the Nets turned down an offer from Boston that included Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and a draft pick.
Durant also requested Nets owner Joe Tsai to terminate coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks, but Tsai said no.
Durant’s Plans
Early on, there were rumors that Durant was interested in coming back to the Warriors. Still, it doesn’t look like that will happen because Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are happy to keep trying to win another championship with the rest of the team. Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman, and Moses Moody’s futures are also critical to Golden State.
“I like our team and where it’s at,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said to NBA.com’s Mark Medina in July. “I want to give the guys a chance to do it again.”
As the Nets’ high price for Durant hasn’t been matched by any other team, it’s possible that the star will stay with Brooklyn. However, Durant has four years left on his contract, so if he is not moved, he could also choose to skip training camp.
Memphis is expected to be in the Western Conference race again. But if the Grizzlies put together some kind of package for Durant, they would transform themselves from being Golden State’s newest rival to being its biggest threat.