The Toronto Raptors have been connected to Kevin Durant for the last few weeks, as Masai Ujiri is one of the few GMs across the league who can offer the Brooklyn Nets a deal where they are well compensated without parting with all of his star players. It seems like a win-win.
Toronto is also a bit of a different situation, as they don’t necessarily seem desperate to trade for Durant. Ujiri could be more than willing to back out of KD talks if he doesn’t get a trade offer that suits his asking price. With one of the league’s deepest starting lineups, Ujiri has that leverage.
Ujiri and the Raptors are notoriously stingy about leaking their intentions to the media, leaving casual fans and those watching the KD saga a bit in the dark. Even when someone stuck a microphone in his face, Ujiri was unwilling to divulge those details.
When asked directly about Durant and Toronto’s involvement in trade talks in Ottawa, Ujiri seemed to be a bit coy on how far into those talks he is. Ujiri put more emphasis on getting to Summer League and watching the Raptors of tomorrow compete than he did on Durant.
Also asked Masai about Kevin Durant and the Raptors. He obviously didn’t want to give any hints
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) July 8, 2022
@CityNewsTO @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/uQ98b8PjBk
“Honestly, I don’t talk about those things as they happen,” Ujiri said. “We’re incredibly, incredibly excited about our team. I’m so excited to see all of our players who will be there and our young players who will be playing in the Summer League.”
Toronto Raptors: Masai Ujiri didn’t tip his hand in Kevin Durant talks.
Players that have been tossed around in Durant talks include Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby. The Nets would love to add Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, but the Raptors seem unwilling to add their young cornerstone to the package that gets sent to a division rival.
Even though Durant is getting long in the tooth, he remains one of the five best players in the league and capable of leading a team to a championship. Under contract until 2027, Durant would be capable of leading the Raptors for the next half-decade if this trade gets consummated.
The Raptors could be a team "lurking" to make a Durant trade push:https://t.co/ve7nOUqBM6
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) July 2, 2022
While the Nets are banking on some team getting desperate and giving in to their demands, Ujiri can sit back and know that he can negotiate from a position of power. However, Raptors fans shouldn’t expect an update on how the trade is going from the notoriously tight-lipped Ujiri.