The NBA offseason is off to a turbulent start, jolted in its earliest hours by the mother of all trade requests from Brooklyn Nets mega-star Kevin Durant.
Sportsbooks got in on the opportunity shortly after the huge news, posting not only Kevin Durant next team odds, but offering the same market for Durant's embattled teammate, Kyrie Irving.
With the two stars forcing moves that could drastically shift the NBA title odds, let's take a look at who's favored to land their services for next season.
Kevin Durant next team odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Phoenix Suns | +110 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +250 |
| Toronto Raptors | +400 |
| Golden State Warriors | +1,400 |
| Miami Heat | +1,400 |
| Chicago Bulls | +2,000 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +2,000 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +2,200 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +2,500 |
| L.A. Lakers | +3,000 |
| Boston Celtics | +3,000 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +3,000 |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, July 7, 2022.
Kevin Durant next team favorites
Phoenix Suns (+110)
Durant (surprise, surprise!) reportedly listed the No. 1 seeds from each conference as his most desired destinations, and of the two, the Suns have far more appeal in terms of return assets.
Phoenix and Miami are among two of the teams that Kevin Durant has on his wish list, sources tell ESPN, but the Nets plan to move Durant where they can get the best possible deal. With four years on his contract, there's no shortage of teams willing to unload assets for Durant.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
Deandre Ayton, who seems to be on his way out in Phoenix anyhow, could be the centerpiece of a return package flush with both young talent and draft picks that would net Durant while keeping the bulk of the Suns' core intact.
Brooklyn Nets (+250)
Of course, there's also the chance that a deal doesn't get done this summer and Durant suits up with the Nets for 2022-23's first game.
While the demand for KD is sure to be rampant, there are market considerations and logistical complexities with any trade of this magnitude that could put the brakes on things temporarily.
If Brooklyn isn't satisfied with the first wave of offers and wants to downplay its own urgency to trade Durant, we could see him in Nets threads come October.
Toronto Raptors (+400)
Another option is for Durant to be sent North, where the Raptors house an enviable stable of young talent, but lack a true superstar to put them over the top.
Toronto front office boss Masai Ujiri has never been one to shy away from pulling the trigger on a huge move (this scenario is unsettlingly similar to the Kawhi Leonard trade's prelude), and there are innumerable permutations a Raptors offer for Durant could take on.
Scottie Barnes would likely be the most coveted piece, but OG Anunoby and other youngsters could also be on the block with Durant — and likely instant-contender status for the Raptors — at stake.
Kyrie Irving next team odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| L.A. Lakers | -200 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +250 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +1,400 |
| Miami Heat | +1,800 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +1,800 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +2,000 |
| New York Knicks | +2,000 |
| Chicago Bulls | +2,000 |
| Utah Jazz | +2,500 |
| Phoenix Suns | +2,500 |
| L.A. Clippers | +2,500 |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, July 7, 2022.
Kyrie Irving next team favorites
Los Angeles Lakers (-200)
There's a fairly lengthy history of superstars getting their way when they want to forge a path to Tinseltown, and Irving seems to be yet another destined to don the purple and gold:
The Lakers and Nets are actively engaged in trade discussions centered on a Russell Westbrook-Kyrie Irving package, per @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/rKGBwxCC6H
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 2, 2022
The potential trade would obviously reunite Irving with LeBron James, forming arguably the league's most talented trio alongside Anthony Davis. But between Davis' spotty health and Irving's spotty everything, the Lakers would instantly become an even greater boom-or-bust proposition than last year's Russell Westbrook Experience.
Brooklyn Nets (+250)
Sporting very similar odds to Durant remaining in Brooklyn to start next season, Irving could see a similar fate, particularly if the L.A. deal falls through.
Trading Irving is a much more delicate matter, given that he's missed time over the past several seasons for everything from non-vaccination to an ambiguous no-notice sabbatical — a distraction arguably outweighing his Top-15-ish talent.
The number of teams desperate enough to pay a king's ransom for such a gamble isn't great, limiting Brooklyn's options.
