The Miami Heat sit in a very precarious position. Vying to secure another star player all summer long, it seems, they have patiently waited for things to shake out on those fronts.
One such potential target, Kevin Durant, recently shook up the sports news cycle again with news of a meeting with the owner of the team he currently plays for in the Brooklyn Nets, Joe Tsai. On Monday, details of that meeting emerged.
While they varied, the overall message was that Durant was still firmly interested in being dealt. Well, for the most part but specifically, here is the meat of what Durant had to say, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (subscription required).
"In a face-to-face meeting with Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai over the weekend, All-NBA star Kevin Durant reiterated his trade request and informed Tsai that he needs to choose between Durant or the pairing of general manager Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash, sources with direct knowledge of the meeting tell The Athletic."
The Miami Heat have been looking big all summer long and it may all pay off. With Nets owner, Joe Tsai, choosing structure over Durant, anything may happen.
"Durant stated he does not have faith in the team’s direction, sources said.Durant and Tsai spoke in London on Saturday and sources described the discussion as transparent and professional. The meeting took place a year to the day that Durant agreed to a four-year, $198 million contract extension with the Nets and barely over a month after his initial trade request on June 30. He is now entering the first season of that extension."
Basically, asking his current team’s owner to choose between him or the current head coach and general manager, Steven Nash and Sean Marks, Durant has drawn his line in the sand.
The Brooklyn Nets have done the same too, as far as previous negotiations go, which means the Miami Heat must do the same when it comes to how far they are willing to go in an attempt to acquire the superstar.
And in fact, the Brooklyn Nets or their owner, at least, continues to take solid positions. When it comes to Durant’s ultimatum, Tsai has already decided.
Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.
— Joe Tsai (@joetsai1999) August 8, 2022
This reads like the owner is choosing the coach and general manager. That’s just the plain truth.
Only time will tell exactly how it all shakes out, but the mechanisms by which it will all shake out seem to be all but certain. Durant will be moved but—to where is the ultimate question.