Report: Kevin Durant gave Nets owner an ultimatum
Oct 11, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Durant has given the Brooklyn Nets’ owner an ultimatum.
Durant met with team owner Joe Tsai in London over the weekend. During the meeting, Durant told Tsai two things, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Durant reportedly reiterated his trade request. Durant also apparently told Tsai he was unhappy with the team’s direction and requested a change to the franchise’s leadership.
Apparently the choice for Tsai is this: either keep Durant and get rid of GM Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash, or trade Durant.
When presented with such an option, the choice seems obvious for Tsai: keep Durant and get rid of Marks and Nash.
Tsai gave power and control over the team to Durant and Kyrie Irving when he signed them in 2019. That means signing players they want, putting up with nonsense, and even firing a coach whose hiring the two approved (Nash).
The Nets added Royce O’Neale and TJ Warren this offseason. They also have Irving on the roster after he opted into his contract. They don’t want to trade Durant and break down the team, so it seems their most natural course of action would be to get rid of their coach and GM.
