For the last few weeks, there was growing speculation that perhaps Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets could come to an understanding and maybe get along for the upcoming season.
Then came another earthquake from Durant: it was reported that he reiterated his desire to be traded from the team or see head coach Steve Nash and GM Sean Marks fired.
Now everyone is wondering what will happen next: will the team and its owner Joe Tsai lay off two major members of the front office, trade Durant, or just sit and do nothing?
Kevin Durant: You can huff & puff & bluff all you want but your Nets owner won't fold. Maybe he'll replace Steve Nash for you. But you have 4 years left on your deal. Are you going to hold out? No. Play half-heartedly? No. You're going to be a Net next season, like it or not.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 9, 2022
Skip Bayless has an idea of what will happen.
On Twitter, Bayless targeted Durant – again:
“Kevin Durant: You can huff & puff & bluff all you want but your Nets owner won’t fold. Maybe he’ll replace Steve Nash for you. But you have 4 years left on your deal. Are you going to hold out? No. Play half-heartedly? No. You’re going to be a Net next season, like it or not.”
Is Bayless actually correct with his prediction?
Playing Hardball
Durant is making his desires obvious but that doesn’t mean that the Nets will play ball with him.
They hold all the cards here.
Durant is on the hook with the team for four more years and if the Nets want to keep him in Brooklyn they have every right to do so.
What will Durant do?
Will he sit on the sidelines and pout and possibly give up a few important seasons?
The man is 34 which means every year counts – he doesn’t have time to sit around.
Plus, Durant is a natural competitor so he might just put his feelings aside and play his heart out.
That’s what the Nets are counting on.
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