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Latest on Kevin Durant trade situation
It was immediately ahead of the opening of free agency on June 30 that reports broke indicating Durant has indeed requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Almost immeditely, reports came out suggesting that he preferred the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat as potential landing spots.
- Kevin Durant stats (2021-22): 29.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.4 APG, 52% shooting, 38% 3-point
Entering the first season of his four-year max contract, the 33-year-old Durant has dealt with injuries. However, he’s still among the best players in the league when on the court. As of right now, over half of the Association has shown interest in KD. That includes the Toronto Raptors and his former Golden State Warriors squad.
It’s being noted that the Heat are being the most aggressive when it comes to a Durant pursuit. Brooklyn doesn’t seem to be too happy about the Suns’ trade offer. Meanwhile, Toronto is unwilling to offer up reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes. As for the Warriors, their big three have talked with KD about a potential reunion while the defending champs are having internal discussions about acquiring him.
Related: Ideal Kevin Durant trade scenarios
Donovan Mitchell trade talks back on
Rumors have continually popped up linking Mitchell to a trade since the Utah Jazz’ 2021-22 season came to an end. That was magnified once Quin Snyder resigned as head coach and team president Danny Ainge pulled off the blockbuster Rudy Gobert trade.
After a report earlier this summer broke that Utah isn’t even listening to offers on Mitchell and wants to build around the 25-year-old guard, it’s now clear that the organization has changed its tune. Led by CEO Danny Ainge, it seems to be all about a full-scale rebuild in Salt Lake City.
Right now, the New York Knicks are seemingly the odds-on favorites to land Mitchell. They have the draft assets to pull off a trade of this ilk after making several trades during the annual event this past June. For their part, the Jazz are valuing draft picks and young players in potential Mitchell trades.
In addition to the Knicks, it’s being noted that both the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets have interest in Mitchell. Though, neither team would seem to have the combination of draft picks and young players to offer up Utah.
NBA trade rumors: Is the Golden State Warriors interest in Kevin Durant legit?
For the most part, there’s been three teams bandied about the most in KD trade discussions. That includes the Warriors, Heat and Suns. On the surface, it makes absolutely no sense for the defending champs to be interested in Durant.
They won the title without him this past season. There was an ugly divorce between the two sides following the 2018-19 season. Golden State has done well to build up a talented young core for the future. Why trade that away for a 33-year-old forward?
Well, it’s more complicated than that.
Reigning NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry has called Durant multiple times to push for a return to the Bay Area. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have hade discussions with Durant, too. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ brass is talking about this possibility internally.
Short-term, the Warriors would be odds-on favorites to continue their dynastic run with Durant in the mix. Long-term, this would impact them big time. Any move would require All-Star Andrew Wiggins as well as youngsters Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and James Wiseman. That seems a bit ridiculous to this one scribe.
NBA trade rumors: In-depth look at the Kevin Durant situation
Next move for the Atlanta Hawks?
The Hawks’ blockbuster trade for Dejounte Murray was the first huge move of the NBA offseason. It gives Atlanta a dynamic backcourt duo with Murray and Trae Young. It’s also interesting that star forward John Collins was not involved in said deal with San Antonio.
We’re now hearing reports that the Washington Wizards are engaged in trade talks with Atlanta surrounding Collins. Perhaps, the Hawks could look to recoup some of the wing depth they have lost this offseason. Kyle Kuzma would make sense as the centerpiece in said deal.
Coby White likely to remain with the Chicago Bulls?
NBA trade rumors have linked White to deals over the past calendar year. Given that Chicago signed fellow guard Goran Dragic and has Lonzo Ball returning from injury, most figured White would’ve been dealt by now. Apparently, it seems like he’s going to remain with the Bulls.
A recent report notes that Chicago has declined all trade offers surrounding White and might simply look to retain the former No. 7 pick. In three NBA seasons, White is averaging 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists on 37% shooting from distance throughout his career.
Miami Heat going big game hunting
Miami has been linked to the likes of Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving thus far this summer. While nothing has come to fruition on this end, the expectation is that front office head Pat Riley will do something of substance. At the very least, Miami will be at the forefront of NBA trade rumors moving forward this summer.
Primarily, Miami seems to be the best potential landing spot for Durant. The Heat can offer up a package centering around Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry and multiple future first-round picks. It remains to be seen if a package like this will be enough given what the Minnesota Timberwolves gave up for Rudy Gobert.
Brooklyn is said to be demanding an two All-Star caliber players, young prospects and multiple first-round picks for KD. As for Mitchell, Miami simply might not have the draft assets to acquire Utah’s star guard.
NBA trade rumors point to potential Kyrie Irving, LeBron James reunion
At the same time that reports came out focusing on Durant’s trade request, multiple rumors persisted that the Nets could also trade Irving. He opted into to his $36.50 million contract for the 2022-23 season and is seemingly looking for a new home.
Since then, Irving has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers in trade talks surrounding Russell Westbrook heading to Brooklyn. It’s not yet known how far these talks have progressed. But if the Lakers were to acquire Irving, it woud be seen as a major boon. The Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks are two other teams who have shown interest in Irving.
As for the Lakers, they are reportedly pushing back against offering up Westbrook and two first-round picks for the enigmatic Irving. It has led to rumors dying down on that front. Meanwhile, reports are surfacing that Irving now want to remain a member of the Nets. Whether that’s some type of negotiating tactic on the part of the NBA champion and his camp remains to be seen.
NBA trade rumors: One liners
- Deandre Ayton could be a true wild card in Durant trade talks. The Phoenix Suns star and restricted free agent is drawing interest from the Indiana Pacers, who can sign him outright. If Ayton were to sign an offer sheet with another team rather than work out a sign-and-trade, it would pretty much eliminate Phoenix as a suitor for KD.
- The Los Angeles Lakers’ interest in Kyrie Irving is well known. However, there seems to be a split from the powers that be. Some prefer Pacers big man Myles Turner to Irving. General manager Rob Pelinka is also kicking the tires on acquiring his former client, Buddy Hield, from Indiana. Remember, Los Angeles was linked to Hield last summer before trading for Russell Westbrook.
- Several Utah Jazz players are now on the block, including two players acquired in the blockbuster Rudy Gobert trade in that of Patrick Beverley and Malik Beasley. Beverley has drawn interest from the Lakers and Heat. Other players who could be on the move include Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanović. All would net the Jazz a nice return.
- Collin Sexton’s situation is interesting in that he remains on the restricted free agent market. The Cleveland Cavaliers star suffered a torn meniscus early last season, impacting his value big time. Recently, a report has surfaced that he could be involved in a sign-and-trade for the aforementioned Conley, though, that doesn’t make sense. The Dallas Mavericks have shown interest after losing Jalen Brunson to the Knicks in free agency.
We’ll have daily updates on this NBA trade rumors page all summer. Don’t miss out on the latest information surrounding your team.
This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
