Rumors of Kevin Durant: the star of the "balanced" at a live exchange for D & # 39; Angelo Russell | Bleacher's report

Kevin Durant apparently does not want to be exchanged for Angelo Russell.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN explored the subject of the exchange that sent Durant from Golden State Warriors to the Brooklyn Nets in a column that examines the use of the player's leverage when multiple negotiations this season.

Windhorst noted that there was no significant advantage for Durant to be included in an exchange system since the Nets could sign it. Russell also aroused the interest of other teams and would not necessarily benefit from such a move.

According to Windhorst, Durant "initially hesitated to be exchanged for Russell" and asked Golden State to include a first round pick in the transaction, saying it was of an unfair transaction for the Nets.

If this choice is in the top 20 of next season, the Nets will receive a second round pick in six years.

Durant's force effect also helped the Nets convince the Warriors to remove the contracts of Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham. Golden State then traded the duo against the Minnesota Timberwolves with $ 3.6 million.

The Memphis Grizzlies, meanwhile, acquired Andre Iguodala and a first-round pick of the Warriors in 2024, as Golden State was facing a tight payroll situation.

The Warriors have paid a high price for Russell, who is only 23 years old and has just completed his first season of stars. He can help replace Klay Thompson while the sniper is recovering from a torn ACL. Russell should keep the five-time Western Conference champions in the fight while playing alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

While Russell is a talented player with a promising future, Durant is a renowned fabled pantheon, ten-time star player, two-time winner of the NBA Finals, single league player and six first-team selections. stars of the NBA. and four-time scoring champion.

His presence alongside Kyrie Irving should put the Nets on the list of NBA contenders when Durant returns from his ripped Achilles. Russell could not say that much, even though he had led the Nets to the play-offs last season.