Bulls, Clippers Among Second-Tier Durant Contenders

Kevin Durant #7 of Team United States reacts against Team Australia during the first half of a Men's Basketball quarterfinals game on day thirteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 05, 2021 in Saitama, Japan.

When Kevin Durant requested a trade at the start of free agency, most of the NBA’s teams started to prepare offers for the Brooklyn Nets. A pair of suitors have emerged as favorites to execute a deal, but there is a long list of possible destinations for the superstar.

The Phoenix Suns are Durant’s preferred landing spot, according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, making them the heavy favorites to trade for Durant with -225 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Miami Heat, also on Durant’s wish list, are second with +400.

What if the Nets can’t come to an agreement with one of Durant’s top choices? While Durant is part of the trade process, Brooklyn wants to take the best offer available, according to ESPN.

The Chicago Bulls have the third-best odds to be Durant’s team for the 2022-2023 NBA season. Durant has +1000 odds to play in Chicago, according to DraftKings.

Zach LaVine might have to be the centerpiece of a trade between the Bulls and Nets. Lavine is a free agent, though Chicago believes it will to keep the guard with a five-year max contract. The Bulls would have to send LaVine to the Nets as part of a sign-and-trade.

Patrick Williams, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, would probably have to be part of the trade. Draft picks would have to be included in the deal, as well.

Chicago went 46-36 last season before being eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in the first round of the playoffs. With DeMar DeRozan as Durant’s lead co-star, the Bulls probably wouldn’t be among the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Durant is also given +1000 odds to stay in Brooklyn, though that seems like a highly unlikely scenario. The Los Angeles Clippers are next with +1400 odds.

Paul George would have to be the main player going to Brooklyn in a Durant trade. The Clippers don’t have any available first-round draft picks to trade in the near future.

Durant and Kawhi Leonard could quickly become the NBA’s best duo. Durant and Leonard were both free agents in the summer of 2019. Leonard reportedly called Durant about teaming up before the two-time Finals MVP signed with Brooklyn, alongside Kyrie Irving.

The Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers, and Portland Trail Blazers all have +1500 odds for Durant.

Boston can put together a competitive trade package around Jaylen Brown and draft picks. The Celtics were two victories away from winning the 2022 NBA Finals. Durant could potentially put Boston over the top.

Jaren Jackson Jr. would probably be an intriguing trade piece for Brooklyn. Jackson and the Grizzlies almost made the Western Conference Finals.

It’s hard to imagine Durant reuniting with James Harden in Philadelphia. Portland probably doesn’t have what it takes to get a deal done with Brooklyn.