Are Nets front-runners for Kevin Durant? SNY’s Begley says that’s ‘not accurate’

Rumors, rumors, rumors. One of course is that the Nets have “confidence” they can pair two of the NBA’s top ten players: Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

But SNY’s Ian Begley, citing “sources familiar with the matter,” writes that Brooklyn is neither “front runners” nor “favorites” to corral arguably the league’s best player.

Begley instead suggests that Golden State or New York could yet play a role.

“Golden State can offer Durant a five year deal worth roughly $220 million,” Begley writes. “Other suitors, including the Knicks, Nets and Clippers, can offer Durant a four-year deal worth $164 million.”

And he adds, “The Knicks still believe they have a chance to land Durant.”

New York of course has the biggest cache of cap space —more than $70 million or enough to give out two max contracts.

The Nets have been notably quiet about their prospects. The sole quote that’s given a hint of their confidence was provided to Brian Lewis last week by a “highly placed source,” presumably with the Nets.

“Watch. I’m telling you, this could be transformational,” said the source.

You don’t get to “transformational” without Durant.

• Sources: Nets not the favorites to sign Knicks free agent target Kevin Durant - Ian Begley - SNY