1. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
This is 99.99999% not going to happen. However, you never know what is going to happen in the NBA on a week-to-week basis. Perhaps Durant’s frustration with the organization boils over again, or maybe the Nets will decide to simply detonate this roster and start with a clean slate.
Even though the Raptors will likely be hesitant to deal away Scottie Barnes despite his injuries and Gary Trent Jr. has likely seen his value decrease, the Raptors may have as many tradeable assets in a hypothetical Durant bidding war as any team in the league. Even a completely dullard can see how KD would help this team contend.
Can the Toronto Raptors get Kevin Durant?
With the Nets getting off to a slower start than most imagined and this roster very clearly flawed, Brooklyn might be in a trading mood if things continue to deteriorate. Toronto will likely come prepared with multiple first-round picks and few rotation-ready players that can help Brooklyn peel the Band-Aid off.
Fans shouldn’t order the red and black No. 7 jerseys just yet, but there are many reasons why this Raptors franchise could be Durant’s most reasonable trade partner. Don’t expect it, but also don’t act like this was totally unexpected, given all of the links.