NBA rumors continue to swirl around Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell, two of the biggest stars in the trading block this summer.
Durant is said to have a mutual interest in the Boston Celtics, who are considered favorites to clinch the 12-time All-Star. However, the latest NBA rumors regarding the ties suggest Boston is nowhere near a deal with the Brooklyn Nets for Durant.
Meanwhile, rumors linking Donovan Mitchell to the New York Knicks have picked up steam. The Knicks and Utah Jazz have reportedly resumed trade talks weeks after their initial conversations.
Here are the latest NBA rumors as of August 18, 2022.
New York Knicks and Utah Jazz resume trade talks for Donovan Mitchell
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz have resumed trade talks for Donovan Mitchell. The Knicks are looking to land an All-Star for next season and have identified the town’s own Mitchell as that player.
Mitchell, a three-time All-Star, is currently under contract for four more years, with the final year of his contract being a player option. The Jazz are keen to acquire a slew of draft capital and young players in exchange for one of their best players.
The New York Knicks have what it takes to make the deal happen as they have eight tradeable first-round picks and several young players. However, as things stand, they likely won’t meet Utah’s high demands for Mitchell.
Celtics are far from agreement on two-time NBA MVP Kevin Durant
The Boston Celtics have a golden opportunity to land one of the league’s best players in Kevin Durant ahead of the new season.
The disgruntled Brooklyn Nets star has been on the trading block since June 30. He initially listed the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns as the teams he would like to join if traded. However, neither team has the assets to acquire it via trade.
This puts the Celtics at the top of the Durant contest ladder as they can offer a deal centered on the talented Jaylen Brown. However, the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach recently reported that the Celtics aren’t close to reaching an agreement to land KD.
“With the start of training camp just six weeks away, league sources continue to insist that the Celtics are no closer to a deal that would bring Kevin Durant to Boston, and that he won’t there weren’t even any real substantive discussions,” Himmelsbach wrote. .
Jazz not interested in Julius Randle; want RJ Barrett and at least 6 New York first-round picks for Mitchell
The Utah Jazz are keen to win as many draft picks as possible from the New York Knicks in exchange for Donovan Mitchell.
The Knicks have eight first-round picks available, which made them the favorites to land the star guard. However, New York has been reluctant to make an offer to the Jazz that involves any of those picks until now.
According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, the Jazz also want RJ Barrett included in any potential deal for Mitchell. The Knicks reportedly tried to offer veteran Julius Randle, but Utah isn’t interested in adding the former LA Lakers to their roster.
Here’s what Smith had to say about it on Sirius XM NBA Radio (via Tommy Beer):
“Utah didn’t want Julius Randle, I’m told. They don’t want him. The Knicks were ready to offload him. They want RJ Barrett. They want at least six first-round picks .”
Tyler Herro, unfazed by being embroiled in trade rumors, admits he’s open to playing with the Heat or elsewhere
Miami Heat star and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro has once again found himself in the middle of the NBA rumor mill.
The Heat have been linked to several big-name players in the trade market. Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry are off the table in potential trade talks, making Herro an automatic option to center deals.
Herro is aware of being mentioned frequently in NBA gossip. However, he also said he is focused on doing well regardless of which team he plays for in the coming season.
Here’s what he recently said about it (via Fan Nation: Inside The Heat):
“I mean since I’ve been here, my name has been rumored,” Herro said when speaking with reporters Tuesday at his foundation in Miami. “So the rumours, I don’t mind,” he said. “Whether I’m on the Heat or elsewhere, I’m preparing for the season.”
Washington Wizards express interest in signing Kevin Durant
Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant has sparked league-wide interest since handing in his trade request to his team’s ownership. The Washington Wizards are among the teams that have expressed interest in acquiring Durant from the Nets.
According to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the wizarding interest was only “exploratory”.
“Sources told Hoops Wire that the Wizards also have an interest in available Nets star Kevin Durant, although this was considered exploratory only. Their pursuit of Mitchell will likely be more aggressive, sources said” via Hoops Wire.
The Wizards may have a better chance of signing Donovan Mitchell than Durant. The Nets’ asking price for KD has been high. Moreover, the teams on the player’s wish list are much better placed than Washington to compete for the title.