Warriors Rumors: Kevin Durant Reunion from Nets Trade 'a Total Non-Starter'

It's certainly possible that Kevin Durant could ask out of Brooklyn this summer, as the drama surrounding Kyrie Irving and his contract standoff with the Nets continues to heighten.

Just don't expect KD to land back with the Golden State Warriors.

According to The Athletic's Sam Amick: "Don't hold your breath for a Warriors reunion, as all signs point to that being a total non-starter. But almost everywhere else, it's safe to assume the Durant market would be robust."

Durant will likely remain in a wait-and-see mode on Irving's future before deciding on his own, however, with Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reporting Monday that Durant and Nets general manager Sean Marks "have yet to speak this offseason."

"Basketball is obviously the most important thing, but I try not to let that get in the way of somebody else's personal decision, you know what I'm saying?" Durant said on his ETCs podcast last week (h/t Ian Begley of SNY). "Like I said, whatever happens, the friendship [with Irving] will still be there."

While the Warriors may not be an option, the Nets would have no shortage of suitors for Durant were he to request a trade. And given that Durant is under contract for another four years and $194.2 million, the Nets could command a king's ransom.

Or as an NBA source told Alex Schiffer of The Athletic, "Look up the Anthony Davis trade to the Los Angeles Lakers and start there."

The New Orleans Pelicans received Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, three first-round picks and a first-round pick swap in that deal.

Durant, 33, averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 55 games last season for the Nets, shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three. Had injuries not limited his availability, he would have assuredly been in the MVP mix.

His game also seems likely to age well, given that his size (6'10", 240 lbs) and elite shooting touch aren't predicated on explosiveness or pure speed, traits that tend to diminish as players reach their mid- and late thirties.

Whether that game ages well in Brooklyn or not remains to be seen, however. Much rests on the future fate of Irving. It's possible that the Durant and Irving partnership with the Nets will end after just three seasons, only two of which Durant was healthy enough to play.