Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant and guard Kyrie Irving. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Kyrie Irving's trade demand sparks inquiries about another Nets All-Star

Kyrie Irving's trade demand has made teams ask the Nets about trades — for Kevin Durant.

While Irving is an All-Star starter, he also brings chaos and controversy to any team, whether it's vaccines, conspiracy theories or stomping on leprechauns. His teammate Durant is also an All-Star starter, but his only controversies come from bluntly speaking his mind — and he's usually right.

It can be hard to find a team where Irving fits, but that's not the case with Durant. A 7-footer who shoots 20-footers like they're layups and plays hard every night is a good fit for all 30 teams in the league. Plus, he's signed through 2026.

Before his recent MCL sprain, KD had played all but one of Brooklyn's games this year, averaging 29.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He was almost single-handedly keeping the Nets in title contention. Durant is scoring efficiently, with a true shooting percentage of 67.3, a staggeringly high number for a player who takes 18.8 shots per game.

Teams might think they have a shot at Durant because of his trade request last summer, after it also looked like Irving wanted to leave Brooklyn. The Nets remained adamant they weren't trading Durant, but it could be that no team made a big enough offer. When the Nets replaced coach Steve Nash with Jacque Vaughn, Durant seemed happy that the team was practicing harder and preparing better.

Durant's injury complicates any deal, and it's unlikely the Nets would make such a dramatic move during the season. If the Nets move Irving, and they get future picks or salary relief rather than playoff-caliber players, then it's easy to see how the Durant era might be ending soon in Brooklyn.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Do Oilers need more from Connor McDavid to get to Stanley Cup Final?
All-Rookie teams show gems available all over draft
The NBA has not witnessed this much parity in 50 years
Knicks expected to be 'aggressive' in upgrading their roster
Drew Bledsoe offers advice for Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye
2024 AFC revenge games: Brothers, 'Stefon Diggs Bowl' to take center stage
2024 NFC revenge games: Which game should Cowboys, others have circled?
How All-Star Race victory could turn Joey Logano's season around
Xander Schauffele's triumph could open the floodgates for his career
Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen will finish off their trilogy in a boxing ring
Ranking the five best MLB free-agent signings of offseason
Veteran WR, former first-round pick announces NFL retirement
Oilers advance to West Final again after holding off Canucks in Game 7
Bengals star WR not expected to sign franchise tender before OTAs
Red Sox RHP diagnosed with ligament damage in elbow
Watch: Caitlin Clark shows off range with logo three, but Fever fall short
Former Dolphins receiving leader announces his retirement from NFL
Detroit Lions dominate PFF's top-25 players under 25
Hall of Famer, legendary Raiders offensive lineman dead at 86
Report: Cavs owner 'would never' trade Donovan Mitchell to this team