Breaking: Kevin Durant Trade Talks Are OFF

In a dramatic turn of events, Kevin Durant has recanted his trade demand, and has decided to stay with the Brooklyn Nets. 

Steve Nash, Joe Tsai and Sean Marks met with Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman in Los Angeles on Monday and have decided to move forward with partnership, Nets say.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 23, 2022

According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, a meeting with head coach Steve Nash, general manager Sean Marks and owner Joe Tsai has convinced Durant to "move forward with their partnership."

In a statement from Nets GM Sean Marks: "We are focusing on basketball, with one collective goal in mind: build a lasting franchise to bring a championship to Brooklyn."

After June 30 trade request, Kevin Durant will stay with the Nets. https://t.co/V0rd8fSQLr

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 23, 2022

Marks said in a statement, "We are focusing on basketball, with one collective goal in mind: build a lasting franchise to bring a championship to Brooklyn." 

Joseph Tsai forcing Steve Nash and Kevin Durant to hug it out because they couldn't trade him pic.twitter.com/ieQFLjScNF

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) August 12, 2022

This wild about-face is in direct contrast to Durant's recent ultimatum that the Nets either fire Nash and Marks or trade him. 

Durant initially issued his trade request on June 30th, and for nearly two months, teams across the league have been scrambling to put together blockbuster offers that the Nets would be interested in. 

Of course, the ripple effects from all this will be felt around the league, where players like Jaylen Brown, OG Anunoby, Miles Bridges and others have heard their names batted around as being offered in a trade to Brooklyn. They are all now safe. But how much will feelings be hurt?

The 12-time All-Star Durant is under contract with the Nets for four more years. 

Trade discussions are over. 

Photos: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports, Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports