NBA Rumors: Bucks, Nuggets Contacted Nets About Kevin Durant Following Trade Request

The Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets were among the many teams to call the Brooklyn Nets about Kevin Durant, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Both teams wanted to "gauge the price tag" on the 12-time All-Star in June and early July, but Charania noted that "none of those conversations gained much traction."

The Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks also reportedly contacted the Nets, although there weren't advanced talks in any case.

Durant initially requested a trade from the Nets in June, and Charania reported he reiterated the request earlier this month. The forward gave team governor Joe Tsai an ultimatum to choose between him and head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks.

The Nets have still been deliberate in their trade talks, clearly not willing to part with the superstar for less than his fair-market value.

Injuries limited Durant to just 55 games last season, but his 29.9 points per game tied for third in the NBA. The four-time scoring champion can still clearly make an impact when on the court and could help a team get over the top toward a championship.

The Bucks already have a title with their current core, but last season's run ended in a second-round, seven-game series loss to the Boston Celtics. With Khris Middleton sidelined by an injury, it put a lot of pressure on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who averaged 33.9 points per game in the series. Jrue Holiday (21.0 ppg) was the only other player within 20 points of Giannis' scoring average.

Adding Durant would give the team another offensive weapon and make the Bucks nearly impossible to defend.

It would be a similar case with the Nuggets, pairing Durant with two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Denver lost in the first round last year despite having one of the top individual players in the game, but adding another go-to option would help the squad contend in the West.

It's clear both teams would have to be aggressive in their offers in order to complete a deal with the Nets.