Kevin Durant wants out, but don’t blame the Nets

Faulting the Nets would be way too easy. Even worse, it would be unjust.

The pending divorce sits squarely on the shoulders of star Kevin Durant, who shipped a bombshell on the eve of free agency that he desires out.

Rightly so, the Nets will try out to accommodate the forward’s trade request and ship him packing. Now, they will not give him away. They be expecting a haul in return.

Less than the four-calendar year agreement in position, with just about $200 million left on it, Durant, 33, does not have a no-trade clause. As a result, the Nets can deliver him anywhere they want and he simply cannot balk.

Some would say that the Nets should really just keep him and make him honor his agreement like a person. But the Nets are producing the right determination. Who wants somebody who does not want to be around? No a person with any perception.

And soon after all, it wasn’t precisely like the Nets won a few titles because he limped to them with an Achilles tendon damage 3 decades back.

In fact, the Nets bent in excess of backwards to make Durant comfy, offering him a authentic possibility to insert to his championship resume.

Instead of battling back from a failed period and sharp criticism, Durant — who played 55 video games as he recovered from an MCL injury — took the simple way out. Just like he did in OKC. In that scenario, he joined the greatest crew in the league, the Golden Point out Warriors who had been coming off a report-placing 73-gain year. Sure, Brooklyn was not perfect and the Nets had numerous bumps and bruises alongside the way. But Durant, if he had any mettle, would have run it back a single additional time. It was his prospect to guide a group to a championship and erase so several doubts men and women have about his management potential.

The odds had to be in his favor that his crew would ultimately be healthy. Kyrie Irving would be participating in for a big contract. Ben Simmons would be nutritious and in a position to return to star variety. Joe Harris, the 3-level sharp shooter, would also be nutritious. With the MASH device in the earlier and a very good supporting cast, the Nets would have experienced as great a prospect as any one to arrive out of the East and contend for a title.

As an alternative, Durant gave the Nets a desire list with the Phoenix Suns and the Miami Warmth at the major. Both equally teams were being the No. 1 seeds this previous postseason.

The go came off as weak, a cut-and-run go. For absolutely sure, Durant lost a great deal of basketball respect.

But this isn’t on the Nets. They did nothing at all mistaken.

If everything, it was Irving who messed almost everything up. Guaranteed, it was his idea to appear play for the workforce he grew up rooting for in New Jersey. Superior nevertheless, he was bringing Durant along.

The Nets — who have not received a championship given that their ABA days with Dr. J — would have been outrageous not to welcome in the two stars with open arms.

In this league, two stars of their caliber give you an awesome chance to earn a title.

For absolutely sure, the Nets held up to their finish of the bargain. They even introduced in Steve Nash as coach. The pair signed off on him. Superior nevertheless, when James Harden was ready to bolt from Houston, the Nets packaged up everything they experienced in the cupboard to land the scoring device.

On paper, the trio looked like a championship waiting around to transpire, Brooklyn’s very first since the 1955 Dodgers.

But then accidents hit the group more than buzzer-beaters.

Two years ago, they ought to have gained that title the Milwaukee Bucks won. Brooklyn received the initial two video games at property. Just seconds into Recreation 1, Harden was hurt. In Match 3, Irving was hurt. So it was generally Durant attempting to be a one-male band. And be just about pulled it off.

In Sport 7, Durant hit what seemed like a match-profitable three- pointer against the Bucks. But his toe was on the line. It tied the video game and the Nets shed at household in OT.

Then this previous year, the wheels simply fell off.

Harden demanded a trade and was dealt to Philly. Section of his frustration was that Irving didn’t get vaccinated and could only play highway online games.

Then Durant received hurt once again. And right before you realized it, the Nets ended up swept out of the playoffs in the 1st round by the Boston Celtics who made it to the Finals.

Following period was a likelihood for Durant to combat and confirm every person incorrect. As an alternative, he proved every person suitable. The Nets cannot be blamed.