<a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/james-harden-goran-dragic-and-all-nba-players-available-for-trade-after-december-15-20221211-SPD-3247.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyle Kuzma</a> told The Atheltic this week that he does not intend to sign an extension with the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/top-3-teams-in-2022-23-nba-season-so-far-20221210-SPD-3243.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington Wizards</a> and would instead reject his player option for the 2023-24 season in order to become a free agent this summer.



While the Wizards have shown flashes of becoming a playoff contender this season, they haven’t done so in the previous two weeks, leading to speculation regarding Kyle Kuzma’s future with the organization. The 27-year-old Kuzma has become an integral part of the Wizards’ roster, so his intentions shouldn’t come as a shock.



 Washington, which has $208 million committed to Beal over the next four seasons and who also has Kristaps Porzingis under contract for next season through a player option, may move Kuzma at the February 9 trade deadline for valued assets rather than letting him depart in free agency with no return. Now that he may be available in a trade, let’s examine the top three landing spots for him.



<h2>3. Atlanta Hawks</h2>



John Collins is still available for a trade, and it’s becoming obvious that this squad needs some new blood. In terms of overall improvement, swapping Collins for Kuzma would not be a huge step forward, but he would be a better fit for the team.



Kuzma is superior at perimeter defense and can also contribute offensively by making three-point shots. Furthermore, the Atlanta Hawks have a wealth of promising young players they may employ to sweeten the deal.



<h2>2. Brooklyn Nets</h2>



The Washington Wizards have apparently been contacted by the Brooklyn Nets about making Kuzma available. As he satisfies both their idealized personality and their on-court requirements, this is not a shock.



T.J. Warren hasn’t done much to impress, so they could use another big man to aid them on the boards, come up with their own scoring opportunities, and relieve Kevin Durant of some of the load. It’s not like he’s a lockdown stopper, but he’d be an improvement on defense anyway.



<h2>1. Los Angeles Lakers</h2>



Without a doubt, the Los Angeles Lakers are still smarting from the Russell Westbrook deal. He has never tried to hide the fact that he is deeply in love with Los Angeles.



The influence of stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Kuzma said, stunted his growth. But he also understands that his chances of winning a championship are better while wearing purple and gold.

Return to Hawks and two other possible landing spots for Kyle Kuzma - thesportsdrops NEWS

Return to Hawks and two other possible landing spots for Kyle Kuzma

destacadas

The <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/turmoil-surrounding-kevin-durants-trade-request-to-nets-played-down-by-steve-nash-20220929-SPD-2865.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> have sacked head coach <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-steve-nash-reacts-to-being-fired-by-the-brooklyn-nets-20221101-SPD-3073.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steve Nash</a> after a disappointing 2-5 start to the season. This comes after some of the team’s best players called for his dismissal throughout the summer.



The game against the Bulls on Tuesday was coached by assistant coach Jacque Vaughn. Nash finished with a 94-67 record in his first season as a head coach, but he is more known for the many scandals surrounding his team’s players that he was unable to prevent.



As Kevin Durant demanded his dismissal and Kyrie Irving refused to be vaccinated and, most recently, as Irving retweeted an anti-semitic video and was not disciplined for it, the 48-year-old seemed to be at a loss and unable to manage his top players. Even this summer, Durant asked the club to fire Nash, who had been their coach since 2020. 



The superstar has also asked that general manager Sean Marks be fired. It was reported, however, that things were patched up when Durant rescinded his trade request after it became evident that no other club would be willing to meet the Nets’ asking price. The Nets are now looking for a new head coach, so let’s examine four possible options.



<h2>Ime Udoka</h2>



According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Ime Udoka has emerged as a frontrunner for the Nets’ job. After being punished for violating the team’s workplace policy, Udoka will not lead for the Celtics again until the end of the 2022-23 season. Most crucially for the Nets, their 45-year-old coach has not been banned by the NBA. 



<h2>Charles Lee</h2>



Lee’s been one of the most sought-after candidates for a number of open positions in recent recruiting rounds. As of this season, Lee is listed as the Bucks’ assistant head coach. Sooner or later, he will be given the opportunity to lead a team as its coach.



<h2>Quin Snyder</h2>



Wojnarowski suggests that even Snyder will reportedly be considered for the vacant coaching position in Brooklyn. The 56-year-old and the Utah Jazz mutually chose to end their eight-year working relationship earlier this year. He would be an ideal choice to manage a club with championship hopes since he guided Utah to six postseason berths in eight seasons as head coach.



<h2>Frank Vogel</h2>



Just two years after Vogel led the Lakers to their 18th NBA championship, the team decided to part ways with him as head coach. If Vogel can thrive while under the intense scrutiny that comes with coaching LeBron James and the Lakers, then any future demands he faces will seem like a breeze in comparison.

4 potentital coaching candidates to replace Steve Nash at Brooklyn Nets - thesportsdrops NEWS

4 potentital coaching candidates to replace Steve Nash at Brooklyn Nets

It didn’t take long to see the first head coach of the 2022-23 NBA season be fired. Only two weeks after Opening Night, the Nets decided to relieve <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/turmoil-surrounding-kevin-durants-trade-request-to-nets-played-down-by-steve-nash-20220929-SPD-2865.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steve Nash</a> from the head coaching duties.



Brooklyn started the season on the wrong foot, sitting at 2-5 to be 12th in the Eastern Conference. Nash was only in his third season at the helm of the Nets, but the front office felt it saw enough.



Nash’s future was put into question since the team was swept in the first round of last season’s playoffs by the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/we-have-been-overrated-celtics-owner-wyc-grousbeck-2788-20220919-SPD-2788.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Celtics</a>, with Kevin Durant and <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-kyrie-irving-opens-up-on-nets-brutal-loss-to-celtics-last-season-2794-20220920-SPD-2794.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyrie Irving</a>’s future also up in the air. In the end, Nash had to leave his post but showed no hard feelings.



<h2>Steve Nash releases statement after Nets firing</h2>



“Thank you Brooklyn. A very heartfelt thanks to Jose and Clara Tsai along with Sean Marks for giving me the opportunity to coach the Brooklyn Nets. It was an amazing experience with many challenged that I’m incredibly grateful for,” Nash said in a statement released on social media.



“It was a pleasure to work with the players, performance team and front office every day. I’m especially grateful for my coaching staff and video room who are a talented group with so much character and professionalism.



“Lastly, thanks to Brooklyn and the passionate fans who support this team. Family first and my family has found a home here and LOVES being a part of this beautiful community. I wish the Nets all the success in the world and the Nash’s will be rooting for our team as they turn this season around.”



Things didn’t work out, but Nash left without complaining. Now, Jacque Vaughn will serve as interim coach while the Nets search for a permanent head coach, which could be Ime Udoka.

NBA News: Steve Nash reacts to being fired by the Brooklyn Nets - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA News: Steve Nash reacts to being fired by the Brooklyn Nets

The summer for the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-lakers-committed-to-helping-lebron-james-but-theres-a-catch-20220927-SPD-2849.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> was nothing short of a roller coaster ride, but head coach <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/joe-mazzulla-promoted-as-temporary-celtics-head-coach-after-ime-udokas-suspension-20220924-SPD-2830.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steve Nash</a> feels that things have returned to normal in the borough, particularly with regard to his relationship with superstar player <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/cavaliers-and-dean-wade-agree-new-three-year-contract-extension-20220926-SPD-2836.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a>.



A year after extending his contract with Brooklyn by four years and submitting a request for trade on June 30, Durant informed the team of his desire to be sent somewhere. After speaking with Nash, Joe Tsai, Clara Wu Tsai, and Rich Kleiman in Los Angeles, the two-time NBA champion ultimately chose to withdraw his request and continue with the process. 



This took place during the end of the previous month. Following that conversation, Nash is now in a position where he considers the squad to be in “fine” shape going into the upcoming season.



<h2>Steve Nash addresses relationship with Kevin Durant</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“We’re good. It’s been like nothing’s changed. I have a long history with Kevin [Durant]. I love the guy. Families have issues. We had a moment and it’s behind us. That’s what happens. It’s a common situation in the league. Knowing Kevin as long as I have, it didn’t really bother me the way maybe everyone would think. “That’s a part of being competitors. I wasn’t overly surprised and I wasn’t even overly concerned. It was something that I thought we would address in time, and we did. And here we are and we’re looking forward. It’s something else that we can grow from as well. I never thought that was 100 percent. It’s not black and white like that. There’s a lot of factors, a lot of things behind the scenes.”<cite>Steve Nash told ESPN</cite></blockquote>

Turmoil surrounding Kevin Durant's trade request to Nets played down by Steve Nash - thesportsdrops NEWS

Turmoil surrounding Kevin Durant's trade request to Nets played down by Steve Nash

Last season was more complicated than predicted for the Nets. With <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-the-reason-why-nets-wouldnt-trade-kyrie-irving-to-lakers-2561-20220820-SPD-2561.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyrie Irving</a> out for months, the team struggled to get results. But even when he got back, Brooklyn had to go through the Play-In Tournament.



Though they managed to secure the seventh seed, it didn’t take long for the Nets’ aspirations to be over. Steve Nash‘s team was swept by the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/we-have-been-overrated-celtics-owner-wyc-grousbeck-2788-20220919-SPD-2788.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Celtics</a> in the first round, a defeat that continues to make noise in Brooklyn.



Since then, the team went through a lot of trouble – with Kevin Durant almost leaving the organization this offseason. However, Irving recently revealed that they could actually learn a lot from that elimination.



<h2>Kyrie Irving calls brutal loss to Celtics a ‘humbling experience’</h2>



(Via Fadeaway World)



“Since we got 4-0’d, my G, we got 4-0’d… It was meant to happen like that. Motivation, bro. We needed that humbling experience, especially going against the Celtics. You know, it was already built in to be that matchup,” Irving said. 



“We gonna see them again. We gonna have to. They gonna be where they gonna be but those youngins over there in Boston bro, I got to see them grow up. So to see them doing what they did last year, on the Finals stage, making it that far, I’m glad they had to go through us.”

NBA News: Kyrie Irving opens up on Nets' brutal loss to Celtics last season - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA News: Kyrie Irving opens up on Nets' brutal loss to Celtics last season

<a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-nets-hold-out-hope-that-kevin-durant-would-revoke-trade-request-2410-20220730-SPD-2410.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> has made it clear he wants out of <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-nets-seeking-to-secure-a-deal-for-kevin-durant-after-star-requests-trade-1907-20220630-SPD-1907.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn</a>, but the weeks have passed and the team has yet to find him a new home. The 12-time NBA All-Star, meanwhile, has reportedly added the Sixers to his wish list.



According to Ian Begley of SNY, Durant sees both Boston and Philadelphia as desired landing spots. On top of that, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-warriors-rule-out-potential-kevin-durant-trade-2322-20220722-SPD-2322.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KD</a> reportedly gave the Nets an ultimatum last week, suggesting owner Joe Tsai that the only way he’s staying is if he fires GM Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash.



However, far from putting any pressure on the Nets, nothing has changed for the team regarding this situation. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Brooklyn has no urgency at all to move Durant.



<h2>Report: Nets still not urged to trade Kevin Durant</h2>



“Ten days ago, Kevin Durant and Joe Tsai met in London. Durant really tried to apply the pressure by asking for Steve Nash and Sean Marks to get fired. And guess what has happened? Nothing. Nothing has happened. The dynamic around Kevin Durant hasn’t changed at all. There hasn’t been an urgency in trade talks. There hasn’t been a change in strategy by the Brooklyn Nets,” Windhorst said.



“I think what we have here is really a study of leverage. First off, the Nets do not have leverage in trade talks with other teams. They are not giving them the offers that they want. They see no reason to increase them. And so they’re not making any progress there. And Kevin Durant clearly does not have leverage with the Brooklyn Nets. He is asking for things: ‘Get me traded. Fire the coach. Fire the GM.’ He is being told no. So when you have denied leverage, you have a stalemate.”



Unless they suddenly receive an offer that meets their high demands, the Nets look willing to wait as long as it takes to get a deal done for Durant.

NBA Trade Rumors: Nets have bad news for Kevin Durant trade suitors - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Trade Rumors: Nets have bad news for Kevin Durant trade suitors

miniaturas

Perhaps <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-warriors-rule-out-potential-kevin-durant-trade-2322-20220722-SPD-2322.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> was hoping for a speedy resolution to his trade request back in June. After a turbulent season that they do not look interested in repeating, the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-nets-seeking-to-secure-a-deal-for-kevin-durant-after-star-requests-trade-1907-20220630-SPD-1907.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> were inclined to comply with his request. 



His quality would have warranted many massive bids, from which Brooklyn could have picked the best. Unfortunately, a month after making the request, there still is no offer in sight. 



Given that DeAndre Ayton has signed an offer sheet that prevents him from being traded until January, it’s unlikely that Durant’s favored Phoenix Suns will be able to give him a contract. While the Boston Celtics have emerged with a stunning offer centered on Jaylen Brown, the Miami Heat are equally low on assets, and a deal between the two teams has not yet been reached. Those deals aren’t going to get better before training camp starts.



<h2>Could Kevin Durant change his mind and stay in Brooklyn?</h2>



However, ESPN‘s Zach Lowe reports that the Nets are still holding out hope that Durant would rescind his trade request once he realizes he has no realistic options. They also believe that there’s still a chance he will alter his mind if he goes without a trade for a little longer.



To what extent the forward would be open to that possibility is now unknown, but Marc Stein claims he is still trying to be traded away. In any case, returning to Brooklyn would put the veteran on a competitive squad with Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons.

NBA Rumors: Nets hold out hope that Kevin Durant would revoke trade request - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: Nets hold out hope that Kevin Durant would revoke trade request

It would seem that the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-free-agency-warriors-set-to-bring-donte-divincenzo-in-on-two-year-deal-1958-20220702-SPD-1958.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> are no longer in the running for <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/shannon-sharpe-blasts-kevin-durant-over-trade-request-out-of-nets-2002-20220704-SPD-2002.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a>. Despite being the reigning champions, Warriors general manager Bob Myers told NBA.com on Wednesday that the team won’t be making any significant changes this summer.



Even though rumors were rife when Durant requested a trade to the Nets from the Warriors, the two teams were never likely to reunite. The Warriors superstars reportedly even contacted their ex-teammate at one point to have a chat about it.



The Warriors’ hopes of a repeat season mean that veteran forward must wait. Even though he asked to be traded three weeks ago, he is still a member of the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-nets-seeking-to-secure-a-deal-for-kevin-durant-after-star-requests-trade-1907-20220630-SPD-1907.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> and is unlikely to be moved anytime soon unless the trade market undergoes a dramatic upheaval.



<h2>What Bob Myers said of Kevin Durant</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I like our team and where it’s at. I want to give the guys a chance to do it again. We kept most of it together, but we have to stay healthy. I didn’t think we’d make it last year, but we did. I watch like you do. We’ll see what happens. “It’s a good group. We’re lucky. It’ll be fun to see. We were really hunting last year. Now I guess we’re back to being the hunted, which I didn’t think we’d be. We’ll see. I think we can handle it.”</blockquote>

NBA Rumors: Warriors rule out potential Kevin Durant trade - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: Warriors rule out potential Kevin Durant trade

<a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-nets-seeking-to-secure-a-deal-for-kevin-durant-after-star-requests-trade-1907-20220630-SPD-1907.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a>, the standout guard for the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-free-agency-nets-acquire-ex-pacers-duo-t-j-warren-and-edmond-sumner-2038-20220706-SPD-2038.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a>, sought a trade late last month, shortly before the opening of free agency. More than a week after the deadline, there has been no movement toward a deal and the Nets’ search for a deal they like seems to be going on indefinitely.



Many variables are at play, but <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-lakers-and-nets-actively-exploring-russell-westbrook-kyrie-irving-trade-1969-20220703-SPD-1969.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ben Simmons</a>‘ contract predicament stands out. He signed a new five-year, $177 million contract with the team in 2019 despite not playing in the 2022 season.



Teams are prohibited by league regulations from trading for more than one player under such a deal. As long as Simmons remains on the team, the Nets will be unable to acquire other young players like Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins.



<h2>Ben Simmons expected to stay in Brooklyn</h2>



Any deal for Kevin Durant that involves All-Star level players and draft selections is understandable from the standpoint of the New York Knicks. To put it another way, only a few clubs are in the position to make an offer that would tempt Durant while still keeping the team competitive. 



More than a dozen of the league’s greatest young players are ineligible to be dealt to Brooklyn, making the situation even more difficult. As a result, the next natural issue is whether the Brooklyn side will move the 25-year-old, either as part of a Durant deal or in a separate transaction. According to the New York Post, the answer looks to be no for the time being, at least for now.

NBA Rumors: Nets rule out possible trade for Ben Simmons - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: Nets rule out possible trade for Ben Simmons

Trade rumors swirl around for <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/shannon-sharpe-blasts-kevin-durant-over-trade-request-out-of-nets-2002-20220704-SPD-2002.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> players Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However, in the meantime, the team is making moves to bolster different areas.



A pair of ex-Pacers joined the franchise on Tuesday night. The Nets have just added free agents <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-lakers-and-nets-actively-exploring-russell-westbrook-kyrie-irving-trade-1969-20220703-SPD-1969.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edmond Sumner</a> and <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-nets-seeking-to-secure-a-deal-for-kevin-durant-after-star-requests-trade-1907-20220630-SPD-1907.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">T.J. Warren</a> to the roster.



There were just 71 games played by T.J. Warren throughout his three seasons with the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-steve-kerr-believes-stephen-curry-is-not-getting-enough-credit-1321-20220606-SPD-1321.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indianapolis Pacers.</a> A stress fracture on his foot forced him to miss the previous two seasons.



<h2>Edmond Sumner to team up with T.J. Warren in Brooklyn</h2>



Being an unrestricted, unrestricted-free agency, the 28-year-old small forward has officially signed a one-year agreement with the Nets for the 2022-23 NBA season. In addition, Steve Nash’s side have also added another free agent, Edmond Sumner less than 24 hours after Warren was signed by the organization.



Injuries have been a part of Edmond Sumner’s narrative since he joined the squad. The 26-year-old point guard spent three seasons with the Pacers as a healthy player, but he had to earn his place in the starting lineup.

NBA Free Agency: Nets acquire ex-Pacers duo T.J. Warren and Edmond Sumner - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Free Agency: Nets acquire ex-Pacers duo T.J. Warren and Edmond Sumner

In a shocking turn of events, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-nets-seeking-to-secure-a-deal-for-kevin-durant-after-star-requests-trade-1907-20220630-SPD-1907.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> reportedly requested a trade out of the Brooklyn Nets. The bombshell news came just a couple of days after Kyrie <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-lakers-and-nets-actively-exploring-russell-westbrook-kyrie-irving-trade-1969-20220703-SPD-1969.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Irving</a> opted into his player option, which is why it took many by surprise.



While for KD it may be the right moment to continue contending before he hangs them up, his desire to leave didn’t sit well with many people. After all, this is the team he preferred over the Warriors a few years back and the one that gave him the keys to succeed.



But things didn’t go according to plan and now it seems that he is on the move again. <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-shannon-sharpe-wants-lebron-james-kyrie-irving-to-join-forces-again-1692-20220621-SPD-1692.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shannon Sharpe</a> didn’t mince his words about it, saying that Durant runs away when things get complicated.



<h2>Shannon Sharpe reacts to Kevin Durant’s trade request</h2>



“Everything that’s there is because of Kevin Durant,” Sharpe said on Undisputed, via Fadeaway World. “The head coach is because of Kevin Durant, Kyrie, James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills, Blake Griffin, everybody was there because of Kevin Durant.



“I’m surprised, but I started thinking and realized KD’s a runner. He’s a track star. He’s going to run away when it gets hard. He can’t take the pain, he can’t get scarred, if you get involved, he’ll leave your team in ruins… I’m so disappointed in KD. This KD/LeBron comparison, we can put it to bed.”



Many fans may be just as disappointed as Sharpe, but GMs around the league are excited about the idea of KD being on the market. His preferred landing spots seem to be Phoenix or Miami, but any suitor will have to make a reasonable offer for the Nets.

Brooklyn Nets