Rate the Trade: Kevin Durant to the Toronto Raptors

Could the Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors pull off this trade?

Joey Linn | Nov 21, 2022

Rate the Trade: Kevin Durant to the Toronto Raptors /

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While Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant has not revisited his trade request from the summer, some still feel as if the superstar forward could wind up elsewhere as early as this season. The Nets are hopeful that the trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons can be successful; however, if this group is underperforming by the trade deadline, some hard decisions could be on the way.

Because of this, hypothetical trade packages for Kevin Durant are already being discussed, as Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus recently compiled a list of realistic trade targets for the Nets forward. First on this list was the Toronto Raptors.

"Brooklyn might demand Barnes, but Toronto may have the best offer with OG Anunoby and multiple first-round picks (up to four available, along with three potential swaps)," Pincus wrote. "Durant, whose contract runs through 2025-26, is at $44.1 million for the current season. An acquiring team must send at least $35.2 million to match his salary."

Pincus acknowledged that Toronto would likely draw the line at Scottie Barnes, but some combination of players like Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., Precious Achiuwa, Malachi Flynn, Dalano Banton, Khem Birch, Thaddeus Young, and Chris Boucher would have to be in play. That is of course in addition to Anunoby and significant draft compensation.

The Raptors have been without a tier-one star since Kawhi Leonard left in free agency, and Durant would undoubtedly meet that criteria. That said, it is hard to see these two sides agreeing on a deal with Scottie Barnes being unavailable.

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Published Nov 21, 2022

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn32@sbcglobal.net Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis, insight, and reporting Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Receiving a media credential during the 2021-22 season, Joey has experience interviewing NBA players, and developing exclusive stories from these interviews. Having appeared on several different NBA podcasts over the last four seasons, Joey is now hosting his own podcast for The Sporting Tribune. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Now graduated, Joey is covering the NBA full-time across multiple platforms. Credentialed by the Clippers, Joey covers the team daily with articles, podcasts, and video breakdowns on YouTube. With four years of sports media experience, Joey provides expert insight and analysis for NBA fans across the league.

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