5 Teams That Should Trade For Kevin Durant

NBA free agency is one of the most exciting parts of the calendar and Kevin Durant has decided to completely hijack it with a sudden trade demand. It’s surprising after the news earlier this week of Kyrie Irving opting back in to return to Brooklyn. It’s over for the Nets.

It’s already been reported that Phoenix and Miami are Durant’s top two trade destinations so I won’t take time writing about them. It’s insane to me that a player like KD—who is extremely online and aware of the criticisms people have of his career—has picked the two no. 1 seeds as his targets considering how much the world hated his choice to join the Golden State Warriors.

Also important to note that ultimately, yes, every team should hypothetically trade for Durant but realistically, it doesn’t behoove every franchise to do so. The OKC Thunder haven’t collected a bajillion first round drafts just to send them over to Brooklyn to acquire Durant heading into his 16th NBA season and following a postseason where he looked totally washed.

So here are the 5 teams that should trade for Kevin Durant:

1. Los Angeles Clippers

Injuries have derailed a potential juggernaut. The Clippers put together 2 of the top 7 wings and we’ve yet to see what these two are truly capable of. And now they’ve acquired John Wall to take some of the ballhandling responsibility away from Kawhi and PG. That already makes them the favorites in the West, as far as I’m concerned.

But fuck it, let’s add another Hall of Fame wing player. Guards and big men are a thing of the past. Give me a roster of 3 forwards who are perennial MVP favorites. Who is going to stop Kevin Durant, Kawhi and Paul George? Besides a meniscus tear, of course.

2. Detroit Pistons

I think I’ve convinced myself into becoming a Detroit Pistons fan. Every move they’ve made this offseason has been the correct move. They sent Jerami Grant to Portland. Drafted Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. Acquired Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel.

With Cade Cunningham running the floor, I truly believe this team could compete next season and could even steal homecourt advantage if they throw Kevin Durant into the middle of this roster.

Anyway, here’s 10+ minutes of Cade going crazy. Welcome to Deadseriousness: the home of all Detroit Pistons propaganda.

3. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies could be the next great dynasty to emerge but they can’t do it unless Ja Morant steps his game up to another level and between you and me, I think this is the best version of Ja we will ever see.

Memphis needs a wing scorer. Dillon Brooks may think he’s the best player in the NBA but his role on this team can be upgraded. Ideally, it would be another young guy like Brandon Ingram but Kevin Durant is a different beast.

Plus, this team would instantly become the villains of the league. There is nothing old guys on NBA TV shows hate more than when basketball players log into Twitter. This team would spend more time on their iPads than in the gym.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

SOURCES: A third team has just entered the Kevin Durant sweepstakes.

Daryl Morey and the Sixers are now all in for KD.

Harris, Maxey, Thybulle & picks

— JACK SETTLEMAN (@jacksettleman) June 30, 2022

Daryl Morey was the GM in Houston when James Harden was an MVP-caliber player. He is now the GM in Philly with James Harden who is not so much MVP-caliber anymore. Morey is in talks to bring in two former Rockets, PJ Tucker and Eric Gordon.

The James Harden Rockets have moved to Philadelphia except with Joel Embiid and perhaps Kevin Durant. If this trio wins the title then every strip club in Houston has to retire Harden’s jersey.

5. Golden State Warriors

Comedy. Give me chaos. Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors (again) after they just won a championship. Skip Bayless is going to shoot himself in the head on live television. Stephen A. Smith is going to call him a gay slur on First Take. Nick Wright is going to quit sports media. Colin Cowherd is spending the next 1,000 hours of air time on Kevin Durant. Draymond Green’s podcast is going to break records.

If a Kevin Durant trade is going to happen, the Warriors would be the funniest outcome.