LOOK: Damian Lillard posts on Instagram story to recruit Kevin Durant to Portland
The sense is Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant will wait to see what happens with Kyrie Irving before deciding what’s next for him. But that didn’t stop Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard from starting the recruiting effort on Saturday.
Lillard posted a picture on Instagram story of him alongside Durant — but Durant is wearing a Trail Blazers jersey. NBA free agency doesn’t start until Thursday, but Lillard’s recruiting effort appears to be starting already to bring the former Texas star to Portland.
Durant’s future in Brooklyn has been in the news as Irving decides his next move with the Nets. The former Duke star is deciding whether or not to opt out of his deal with Brooklyn and reportedly has a list of teams ready for the team. As that goes on, Durant is “monitoring” the situation, according to The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania.
More on Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets
Shortly after Charania’s report, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Irving has a list of teams ready to go if he decides not to stay in Brooklyn. He said the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers are all on that list. However, Brooklyn would have to do something to help any of those teams create the necessary salary cap space.
Irving’s option is worth $36 million, and the former Duke star’s decision will likely determine Durant’s future with the Nets. The duo joined forces in Brooklyn in 2019 and eventually brought in James Harden to create an impressive big three. However, Harden, Irving and Durant only played 16 games together before the Nets traded Harden to the 76ers at the trade deadline to acquire Ben Simmons, who still has yet to suit up in a Nets uniform as he works his way back from a back injury.
This past season, Irving only played in 29 games as he sat out many home games at Barclays Center due to New York’s vaccine mandate. Irving isn’t vaccinated, but New York changed its mandate in time for him to play in home games just before the regular season ended and the playoffs started.