A history of unfulfilled NBA trade requests, from Kareem to Hakeem to Pippen to Pierce to Kobe

The Nets haven't traded Kevin Durant yet, and history suggests they don't have to

After reflecting on his uncharacteristically poor performance in the playoffs, a star player decided that he wanted to be traded. He informed the team at a meeting in the summer.

The perennial All-Star had chosen this organization in free agency with his eyes on a championship. In the two years that he'd been on the court, though, they'd come up short. He didn't like where things were going.

The trade request put the front office in an uncomfortable position. It was not looking to rebuild. Getting swept had been unpleasant, but that's what happens when you're nowhere near full strength and you run into an elite opponent. With him, the team projected to remain a contender, as long as it could stay healthy. The near 7-footer had been drilling jumpers over helpless defenders since he was drafted No. 2 overall during George W. Bush's second presidential term. It's not as if it could simply swap him for a player of equivalent talent.