Apr 25, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) and forward Kevin Durant (7) drop back on defense during the second quarter of game four of the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving 'want to continue to play together,' but not with Nets

By Adam Stites | Last updated 6/30/22

Kevin Durant shook the NBA world Thursday with a request to be traded from the Brooklyn Nets, but according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the motive for the former MVP's decision isn't to part with Kyrie Irving.

"They wanted to play together, they want to continue to play together, but the sense is they don't want to do it together in Brooklyn anymore," Wojanrowski said Thursday on ESPN.

"It's certainly a possibility... They want to continue to play together but the sense is they don't want to do it together in Brooklyn anymore."

— Adrian Wojnarowski on Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving being traded together in a deal#NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/W8dsvABkmA
— ’ (@_Talkin_NBA) June 30, 2022

Durant, 33, signed with the Nets in July 2019 and was joined shortly thereafter by Irving. Despite the addition of the star duo, Brooklyn couldn't reach the NBA Finals, coming closest when it lost in the 2021 Eastern Conference finals. This season, the Nets were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics.

While Durant and Irving reportedly like the idea of continuing to play together elsewhere, a deal involving both players would be difficult to put together. Wojnarowski said it's "certainly a possibility," but he casts doubt about finding a team interested in both players that's also ready to take on the "immense amount of salary" that would come with the trade.

Durant signed a four-year contract extension with the Nets in August 2021 and is due to make $194.2 million over the next four seasons. Irving opted into the final year on his contract with Brooklyn and is due to make $36.5 million for the 2022-23 season.

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