What trades for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving -- or both -- could look like

It’s only fitting the whirlwind of a three years the Nets had since signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is coming to a close on the same day it began and in equally shocking fashion. Durant is seeking a trade out of Brooklyn and Irving’s departure will shortly follow.

This sets up what might be the biggest trade in NBA history, featuring arguably the league’s best player just a toe past his prime locked under contract for four seasons. What that deal might look like and whether it involves Irving is still in the air, as multiple reports are flying around in every direction. Let’s take a step back and see what the Nets can do to salvage their offseason.

They’ll have to start with Durant, who, assuming they can’t convince to change his mind, will draw attention from all 29 other teams. He reportedly gave the Nets a list of preferred destinations, but it’s not clear how much leverage he has. Brooklyn could theoretically bid up the asking price before dumping him on the Sacramento Kings, though no team will trade for Durant knowing he’d want out.

The asking price being floated is an All-Star caliber player along with a trove of prospects and draft capital. The return could and should be that and more for a player of Durant’s caliber.

With Ben Simmons still on the roster, Brooklyn should be able to piece together a play-in roster while rebuilding its draft stash. There won’t be any incentive to tank with all their picks owned by Houston.

Phoenix and Miami were two teams linked to Durant. The former makes a ton of sense given Durant’s ties to Chris Paul and Devin Booker, plus the Suns have a former first overall pick they’re ready to sign-and-trade. After multiple dead ends negotiating an extension with Deandre Ayton, he could serve as the perfect centerpiece to a package.

Ayton, along with Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and whatever picks Brooklyn would want is currently the popular package. It checks the boxes for both teams, though it’s understandable if the Nets want someone better than Ayton leading the return. What are their other options?

Miami doesn’t have the means for a Durant trade unless they’re sending Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo along with Tyler Herro, but it doesn’t look likely. Nobody thinks Brooklyn could ever send Durant to New York.

Boston has a play with one of their star wings and draft capital, but they’ll have to want it. Toronto can offer Scottie Barnes and promise Durant a Kawhi-esque 2019 run and eternal admiration. A return to Oklahoma City would be fitting, and the Nets would have a grab-bag of picks and young guys to choose from.

Other teams to speculate over? Golden State with Andrew Wiggins, prospects and picks. The Lakers, who we’ll get to later. New Orleans giving up either Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson immediately gives them an edge.

A darkhorse could emerge out of the teams not mentioned. At the end of the day, the Nets are going to receive a haul for Durant.

Now to Irving, whose destination is a lot more clear cut. Reports say he’s positioning to land on the Lakers, who have a package of Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, and one or two first round picks at the ready.

It’s not pretty, but it looks like the eventual outcome. Irving has more leverage in trade talks with just one year remaining on his contract, and his lack of interest around the league. It’s believed he’ll just sign to buddy up with LeBron James in a season anyway.

So in the above scenarios, we’re looking at the Nets giving away their dynamic duo for Westbrook, an ideally Ben Simmons-fitting not-old All-Star like Ayton or Jaylen Brown, some kiddos and something like six first round picks to replenish their upcoming years. This sets them up not-so-terribly, but there’s one other possibility.

Durant and Irving may still look to facilitate playing together, which opens up all new questions. Will teams start turning around on Irving knowing Durant is involved, or will it just come down to the Lakers again? Would that mean the Nets restart with Westbrook and Anthony Davis?

Joe Harris remains on the Nets roster and could be traded or come back to the court firing. The Nets reportedly re-signed Patty Mills and they traded for Royce O’Neal, two competent NBA players. Simmons and Seth Curry are also in the rotation.

While things have not gone as expected, and Thursday will not be remembered fondly among Nets fans, there is a silver lining in the return awaiting them. This won’t be Sean Marks handed zero picks, Brook Lopez and a prayer. Then again we’ve already seen what he can do with that.