NBA Rumors Roundup: Kevin Durant committed for the long haul, Donovan Mitchell’s former coach claims the Utah Jazz guard wants to play in New York, and more - August 24th, 2022
NBA superstar Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets aren’t just calling a truce on hostilities. They are also re-committing long-term to the partnership. After weeks of drama that partially held up offseason trading, KD and the Nets have claimed to have moved past the standoff.
Former New York Knicks bench tactician Rick Pitino has claimed that Utah Jazz All-Star Donovan Mitchell would love to play for the Knicks. Pitino, who also coached Mitchell in Louisville, said it would be “special” to see his former ward play in the Big Apple.
Before the Durant drama eventually settled, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens reportedly had a conversation with Jaylen Brown. The former NBA All-Star was rumored to have been offered by the Celtics as the centerpiece of the package for KD.
Here are the latest rumors from around the NBA as of Aug. 24, 2022:
Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets have repaired their relationship for a four-year run in the NBA
After more than a month of intense standoffs, the Brooklyn Nets have reconciled with NBA superstar Kevin Durant.
At one stage, the gap between the two parties seemed irreparable. This seemed to be the case after KD supposedly demanded the firing of GM Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash.
With team owner Joe Tsai backing his front office and the coaching staff, Durant saw sense in staying with the Nets. Apparently, the goal is to establish a title-contending team for the duration of KD’s term in Brooklyn.
Brian Lewis of The New York Post came out with a report that should delight fans of the Brooklyn Nets:
“Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman met with the Nets brain trust Monday in Los Angeles. The minutes of the meeting aren’t available, but a Nets source said this isn’t just an uneasy cease-fire or temporary solution until a Durant deal is found.
“They insist he’s re-invested long-term.”
Kevin Durant has removed his trade request after meeting with Joe Tsai, Sean Marks and Steve Nash yesterday.
The Nets are running it back. https://t.co/tqCmZt5Eju
With Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons ready for action, the Brooklyn Nets could make some noise next season.
The Nets have already retooled the supporting cast around the core of Durant, Irving and Simmons. Las Vegas has installed them again as one of the favorites to win the NBA title next season.
Rick Pitino is convinced Donovan Mitchell wants to play for the New York Knicks
Rick Pitino is no stranger to the NBA or Donovan Mitchell. He coached the New York Knicks in the ‘80s and was Louisville’s shot-caller in Mitchell’s college days.
Marc Berman of the New York Post has the scoop on Pitino’s wish for both Mitchell and the Knicks:
“Donovan loves the Knicks,’’ Pitino said. “Donovan loves being around his mom, sister and dad. Donovan would treasure being a Knick. That being said, things have to work out.
“I’m hoping, keeping my fingers crossed that he becomes a Knick. It would be very special for me as a coach seeing him in a Knick uniform as an ex-Knick coach.”
Rick Pitino: Donovan Mitchell 'would treasure' playing for Knicks trib.al/KajybzJ https://t.co/r8HUux0g0n
The Utah Jazz and the New York Knicks are no closer to a deal than when the rumors first made their way into the news. Utah’s Danny Ainge got a treasure trove of assets for Rudy Gobert and will not settle for anything less for the Knicks to get Mitchell.
Of the Knicks players, the Jazz reportedly have a strong interest in RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley. A ton of NBA draft picks are also expected to be part of the deal to pry Mitchell out of Utah.
Brad Stevens confirms open communication between Jaylen Brown and Boston Celtics during the Kevin Durant trade rumors
The Boston Celtics were reportedly in pole position to acquire NBA superstar Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. Jaylen Brown was supposedly the biggest asset the Celtics had offered for KD.
Despite all the trade talks, Brown insisted weeks ago that he was committed to playing for the team that drafted him.
Boston Globe’s Christopher Price reported on what went on behind-the-scenes between Brown and Brad Stevens:
“Jaylen’s been through this from the standpoint of listening and the noise has been around him for a long time,” Stevens said. “I think one of the things you have to be able to do is ignore the noise and know what’s important.”
“Also, [to] be able to reach out and have candid and transparent communications with the people involved. We’ve had those, and been very open from the get-go as all of this has been going on for any of our guys.”
)Brad Stevens on @WEEI today said he sat down with Jaylen Brown in LA last week. Noted how you have to be able to have "have candid and transparent communications" with players in rumors.
(Brad also noted Jaylen didn't ask him to partake in those crazy underwater workouts 😂)
Even without Kevin Durant, the retooled Boston Celtics were already one of the heavy favorites to dethrone the Golden State Warriors. Brad Stevens added Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari in free agency, making the Celtics two or three-deep in all positions.