Kevin Durant only wants to play for a Heat team that includes Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry?

As for the Miami possibility that also seems to be in play, I’m told there’s a significant obstacle on that front. Kevin Durant, it seems, would only want to play on a Heat team that includes Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry. So even if the Heat were willing to move Butler in a deal as a way of satisfying the Nets’ (understandably pricey) request, doing so would leave Durant discontented from the start.
Source: Sam Amick @ The Athletic

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Sam Amick @sam_amick
Free Agency, Day 2 column, at @TheAthletic
* Why Kevin Durant has his sights set on Phoenix, and why Miami’s chances seem slim
* The Damian Lillard latest and why the Gary Payton II deal mattered in Portland
* Warriors
* All things Kings
theathletic.com/3395908/2022/0… – 5:15 PM Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
🏀Kevin Durant destinations?
🏀Day 2 of Free Agency!
@TermineRadio has you covered all afternoon long on NBA Today! Listen anytime on the SXM app https://t.co/AYipQpeyBw pic.twitter.com/w3GNP5q9Le – 5:06 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Tim Legler’s favorite centerpiece target for the Nets in a Kevin Durant trade is Brandon Ingram. He’s throwing in Larry Nance Jr. and a ton of picks in the deal too. Would you do it, New Orleans? – 5:00 PM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Dunc’d On Prime: 2022 Free Agency Day 1: KD Trade Request, Every Signing, Every Team w/ @Nate Duncan
Get 35% off the monthly price with our Mock Offseason Total Access Sale: https://t.co/n4QLDCqWYd pic.twitter.com/thzZwxfFJ8 – 5:00 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
We’re going live on @PHNX_Suns in 2 minutes to talk about the latest with Kevin Durant, speculate on a few more trades (like a 3-teamer with the Jazz?) and more! Join us:
https://t.co/YwvEhd50ST pic.twitter.com/QJlo1HsEXR – 4:58 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
New @John Hollinger & Duncan. KD Trades; Gobert Live Reaction; Murray Trade; Free Agency Reaction hollinger-duncan.simplecast.com/episodes/kd-tr… – 4:46 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Just finished recording with @John Hollinger and we were live when the Gobert news broke. Lots coming on KD, initial Gobert reaction, and more. Up in about 30 mins. – 4:25 PM Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Top 5 in our last Trade Rumor Rankings (five days ago)
1. Kyrie Irving
2. John Collins
3. Kevin Durant: Trade request
4. Rudy Gobert: Traded
5. Dejounte Murray: Traded – 4:24 PM The Ringer @ringernba
29 teams would love to have KD on their roster, but who can entice the Nets enough to make the deal? #TheMismatch pic.twitter.com/Gk60ZCEP8a – 4:22 PM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
The Suns can offer four firsts and three swaps in a Durant deal.
If Utah wants Ayton to replace Gobert and Brooklyn prefers picks, they could throw the four they just got at the Nets too.
Maybe that’s the outline of a Durant trade: eight picks, three swaps, Bridges, maybe Cam? – 4:18 PM Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
FWIW, the Suns could also trade their 2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029 first-round picks in a deal for Kevin Durant. – 4:12 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Using the Jazz as a third team in a Kevin Durant/Deandre Ayton sign-and-trade is tough. Not sure what Utah has to offer aside from that new draft pick haul, since Gobert’s gone and Donovan Mitchell wouldn’t be included. Maybe picks is enough, but the math is tricky – 4:06 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Brian Windhorst’s dot-connecting about a potential rebuild in Utah got me thinking: Could the Nets trade Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving and somehow get Donovan Mitchell for their troubles?
Not if Ben Simmons is still on the roster, says the CBA trib.al/sW2D44Y – 4:05 PM Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The trades didn’t happen on draft night … but NBA #tradesaplenty are sure unfolding now as promised.
And there’s definitely more to come with the Nets actively engaged in Kevin Durant trade talks …
More NBA from me: https://t.co/A6ycVm5PUQ pic.twitter.com/AU7BCd8rQT – 4:03 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Dunc’d On Prime: 2022 Free Agency Day 1: KD Trade Request, Every Signing, Every Team w/ @Danny Leroux
Get 35% off the monthly price with our Mock Offseason Total Access Sale: https://t.co/XSgwN6BUIK pic.twitter.com/RpRobqg2ai – 4:00 PM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
I can not wait to see what the Durant return is now. Is it going to be more than that? – 3:57 PM Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
FIVE(4 + Kessler)1st rd picks for Rudy Gobert? Good god, that’s insane!
How many for Durant? 10? – 3:56 PM Jake Madison @NOLAJake
So either Kevin Durant or a full teardown for the Jazz. No in between – 3:55 PM Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Zion obviously needs to stay healthy and be better on defense. But he averaged 27/7/4 and that was with a worse roster and head coach. I’m buying Pelicans stock. Playoff team with upside to be a top 4 seed.
The only question now is whether New Orleans should pursue a KD trade… pic.twitter.com/FqJoLFvUlW – 3:54 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
There are not enough draft picks in the world for Kevin Durant based on today’s inflation rate. – 3:52 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
So, I assume KD goes for about unprotected 10 first round picks? – 3:49 PM Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
Would you trade excellent young players and valuable picks for Kevin Durant? truehoop.com/p/would-you-gi… 1/7 – 3:49 PM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
If Donovan Mitchell becomes available, I wonder if that gives teams in the Kevin Durant chase a bit of leverage on the Nets. You’d obviously rather have KD, but there are gonna be teams that say “well Mitchell is eight years younger and we can get him for half of the price…” – 3:48 PM Josh Martin @LonzoWire
With KD demanding a trade from the Nets, the Bulls attempted to join the sweepstakes. lonzowire.usatoday.com/2022/07/01/rep… – 3:20 PM Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Kevin Durant and the Big Ten were the two biggest sports topics Thursday and today, but they don’t see that close in terms of the attention they’ve received by Google Search trends. Many more people seem to care about Durant (blue) & his trade request than USC and UCLA going B1G pic.twitter.com/f8rQQH23h5 – 3:15 PM Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Orlando Robinson of Heat Summer League squad:
Talks about the disappointment of not being drafted, then ultimately choosing Miami for the developmental program
“Knowing my own nature, I know Miami’s a very good fit for me.”
(Back-up center after a KD trade? lol) – 3:14 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Will Kyrie Irving end up with the Lakers? Where will the Nets trade Kevin Durant? I tackle those NBA free agency questions & more with @danbeyeronfox & @Aaron_Torres on @FoxSportsRadio. Tune in at 12:20 pm PT – 3:12 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
On 10 specific Kevin Durant trades to the Suns, who should be in play and one 3-team banger with the Hawks I can’t stop thinking about: bit.ly/3bLNbrT – 3:09 PM Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
Digging through NBA free agency, and Kevin Durant excitement, with @David Thorpe and @jshector https://t.co/DA7UU8GlmE
They say they’re processing it all through Bonus Wins: https://t.co/piSbIkkKck pic.twitter.com/cR3D83XwbM – 2:59 PM Mark Murphy @Murf56
League executive said the pitches to Nets for Kevin Durant will, “be like an auction, probably 20 teams.” Asked if Celtics will attend the auction, he said, “yes.” – 2:55 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Crazy stat I thought of while writing this morning’s story. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving headed out, Nic Claxton, who has played 94 regular season games in his career, becomes the second-longest tenured Net. He only trails Joe Harris, of course: theathletic.com/3393165/2022/0… – 2:54 PM Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Kyrie Irving Next Team IF Traded from the Nets:
LA Lakers – 1/3
New York Knicks – 5/1
LA Clippers – 6/1
Kevin Durant Next Team IF Traded from the Nets:
Phoenix Suns – 1/1
Miami Heat – 7/2
Toronto Raptors – 4/1
New Orleans Pelicans – 6/1
LA Lakers – 7/1
via @betonline_ag – 2:17 PM Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Went on @TheHerd with @JoyTaylorTalks this morning to talk Kevin Durant, Nets, teams that should go all in, Brunson, Zion. Here’s a clip from the KD convo: pic.twitter.com/CnM2OMNlZ8 – 2:17 PM The Ringer @ringernba
🏀 Potential teams that have the assets to land KD
🏀 Some of the deals from Day 1 of free agency
🏀 Under-the-radar signings
#TheMismatch: open.spotify.com/episode/53pLUE… – 2:05 PM Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“It didn’t work out”
Kevin Durant’s former teammate, @Derek Fisher, doesn’t blame Kevin Durant for doing what’s best for his career at his age #NetsWorld
@talkhoops | @Amin Elhassan pic.twitter.com/4cdEft8hqD – 2:00 PM Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
I think it’s a problem when I get a text saying “Kevin got traded” and my first thought, even after the events of the last 24 hours, wasn’t about Kevin Durant. – 1:53 PM Joe Vardon @joevardon
Under normal circumstances, Nets owner Joe Tsai would understand Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving’s tactics as course of business. But these last three years have been anything but normal, and Tsai has a legitimate complaint, ⁦@The Athletic⁩ theathletic.com/3393222/2022/0… – 1:53 PM Kyle Ratke @Kyle_Ratke
The Wolves not going after Brogdon tells me they are still in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. Smart move by Connelly because Kevin Durant is better than Malcolm Brogdon. – 1:48 PM Bill Ingram @TheRocketGuy
Brogdon to #BostonCeltics is my favorite move of free agency so far. They didn’t need Kevin Durant, they needed a tweak upgrade and that is exactly what they got. #NBAFreeAgency – 1:48 PM Mike Mazzeo @MazzNYC
Via Caesars email: “From 2:57 p.m. ET yesterday (when Kevin Durant wanting to go to the Suns was first reported) to 8 a.m. ET this morning, the Lakers drew 52% of the handle among all 2023 NBA title wagers at Caesars Sportsbook.” – 1:46 PM Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
The Timberwolves were active on the first day of free agency with KAT’s extension, Kyle Anderson’s signing. Also some thoughts on Gobert, Murray and KD theathletic.com/3393151/2022/0… – 1:43 PM Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Well that’s quite the trade for Boston man
Brogdon is a nice add for what they gave up
Even more of a signal for Heat to lock in on Durant/Mitchell types with top of East getting stronger – 1:39 PM Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Listen to today’s episode of The Starting Lineup with @Frank Isola & @Brian Scalabrine on Pandora!
🏀 Kevin Durant requests a trade
🏀 #NBAFreeAgency
🏀 Jalen Brunson’s mom joins the show
📞 @Bobby Marks joins the show
📰 HEADLINES!
pandora.app.link/akU72h5vYmb – 1:33 PM Scott Kushner @ScottDKushner
With rare exception, NBA championship windows are small. Personalities, contracts, injuries shorten timelines in a hurry.
If Kevin Durant is available to the Pelicans, even in exchange for a young star, it’s worth giving up some of the timeline to take a shot at a title. – 1:08 PM Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
Late night Lowe Post free agency podcast w/ @Kevin Pelton: KD/trade dynamics, KD’s career arc, Ayton, Kyrie’s future (LAL? Buyout?), Hawks/Spurs, Brunson/NYK, Sixers sucking me back in, Gobert, Wolves, Wiz, DEN, more:
Spotify: spoti.fi/3OQTdpe
Apple: apple.co/3QUIHPw – 1:05 PM Ric Bucher @RicBucher
Why Kevin Durant Wants Out — and when he decided that’s what he wanted shows.acast.com/bucher-and-fri… via @acast – 12:48 PM Howard Beck @HowardBeck
On the weirdness of Durant wanting out:
si.com/nba/2022/07/01… – 12:44 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Kevin Durant odds to join OKC: pic.twitter.com/ZHGxv6kCCx – 12:29 PM Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
KD and Kyrie landing spot odds per @betonline_ag pic.twitter.com/061DJOSBGL – 12:27 PM Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Naturally, I am getting more questions about the Wizards and Kevin Durant in radio interviews lately. Here’s a clip from my conversation with @RealBramW on @espn630dc. https://t.co/m17Y48514I pic.twitter.com/77gjPDTktZ – 12:24 PM Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
These are the only teams on which BetOnline set odds for Kevin Durant’s trade destination… Guessing the absence of the Celtics from this list won’t make Brian @Brian Scalabrine happy. (He’s made some interesting points on this issue, by the way.) pic.twitter.com/PABBVtYYcO – 12:16 PM Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Odds on Kevin Durant’s next team, per @betonline_ag. Biggest surprise: the strength of Phoenix’s odds. pic.twitter.com/Pov1FdJMlB – 12:11 PM The Ringer @ringernba
💬 Which teams KD could actually go to
💬 All the important news from Day 1 of free agency
#RingerNBA: open.spotify.com/episode/0EDcIH… – 12:10 PM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Who has the best package of players and picks the Nets can get for Kevin Durant – 12:07 PM Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
LaVine has a good relationship with KD … and is not opposed to recruiting … just saying. – 12:05 PM David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
For the third time in six years, Kevin Durant will be on the move, looking for the perfect fit. But is there one for the league’s enigmatic superstar? The great ⁦@Marcus Thompson⁩ and I ponder, in ⁦@TheAthletic⁩: theathletic.com/3394065/2022/0… – 12:00 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Dunc’d On Prime: 2022 Free Agency Day 1: KD Trade Request, Every Signing, Every Team w/ @Danny Leroux
Get 35% off the monthly price with our Mock Offseason Total Access Sale: https://t.co/XSgwN6BUIK pic.twitter.com/Wf75hBSYJA – 12:00 PM Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
The Hoop Collective podcast from Day 1 of KD trade watch (and free agency) — with ⁦@Brian Windhorst⁩ and ⁦@Tim Bontemps⁩ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bri… – 11:55 AM Sopan Deb @SopanDeb
Gallo is a nice pick up for the Celtics. He’ll fill a need too once Boston trades Jaylen Brown for KD. – 11:51 AM Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Kevin Durant’s preferred destination is Phoenix.
@Frank Isola believes the 2x Finals MVP wants to go to a ready-made team. pic.twitter.com/zSLnEG3ee7 – 11:45 AM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Hasn’t even been a full 24 hours yet but beyond ready for Zion Williamson’s contract to become official so that this Kevin Durant trade speculation goes away – 11:40 AM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
With Otto Porter Jr. off the board, Heat’s remaining forward options in free agency include T.J. Warren and Danilo Gallinari, who is expected to be waived by Spurs.
Martin twins, Cody & Caleb, also among top free-agent forward options still available.
Durant would also work. – 11:39 AM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Apparently, power forwards are easier to get through customs. Toronto has 4 4s, with Siakam, Boucher, Thaddeus Young and Otto Porter Jr just now. Heat’s PF options – if they don’t get Durant – are diminishing, with TJ Warren (& soon) Gallinari among those available in free agency – 11:31 AM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
At this time I would like to thank Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving for making the Nets so untenable that a free agent leaves Brooklyn for Denver. Appreciate the effort, fellas. – 11:11 AM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Dunc’d On Prime: 2022 Free Agency Day 1: KD Trade Request, Every Signing, Every Team w/ @Nate Duncan
Get 35% off the monthly price with our Mock Offseason Total Access Sale: https://t.co/n4QLDC9m6F pic.twitter.com/yiI4x0eTKL – 11:00 AM Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
As everyone waits for the Kevin Durant situation to play out, wrote about an under-the-radar team that would make for a very interesting player for Durant and instantly leap to title contender with him: the Memphis Grizzlies theathletic.com/3393520/2022/0… – 10:45 AM Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Went on @GetUpESPN with @HannahStormESPN and explained why Ben Simmons could be the key to a Kevin Durant trade.
Plus a top-5 list of my preferred destinations for KD.
| Get Up youtu.be/enwYvMxg6xA via @YouTube – 10:36 AM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
New Locked on #Thunder Podcast:
🏀 Lu Dort gets a new deal
🏀 Dort’s deal deserves more nuance
🏀 Mike Muscala is back
🏀 KD requests a trade and how it impacts OKC
#ThunderUp #FirstListen:
https://t.co/mMkaoVLwqq pic.twitter.com/0fNVxF0BIh – 10:27 AM Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
NEW on Substack: Where the Heat stand after re-signing Victor Oladipo, Dewayne Dedmon and planning a trade for Kevin Durant
wesgoldberg.substack.com/p/where-the-he… – 10:24 AM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Our free agency tracker on Day 2 is up: Where the Heat’s roster stands entering Friday as Kevin Durant watch continues miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 10:10 AM Joe Vardon @joevardon
Before Kevin Durant trade request, Nets owner Joseph Tsai already had reason to be furious, which is why KD and Kyrie will likely both be dealt, ⁦@The Athletic⁩ theathletic.com/3393222/2022/0… – 10:10 AM Joe Vardon @joevardon
Before Kevin Durant trade request, Nets owner Joseph Tsai already had reason to be furious, ⁦@The Athletic⁩ theathletic.com/3393222/2022/0… – 10:08 AM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
NBA trades in free agency can be complex, and sign-and-trades are even worse. For @PHNX_Suns, here are 10 potential (legal) trades that would get Kevin Durant to the Suns: https://t.co/9usosVtVOF pic.twitter.com/owGZlATLbE – 10:03 AM Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
NEW @TheCrossover Pod w/@Howard Beck: Unpacking Kevin Durant’s trade requests — and what the Nets options could be for Durant and Kyrie Irving. Links: bit.ly/2w1G5e2 – 9:52 AM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Where will Kevin Durant land? Five potential trade options for Nets. nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/01/whe… – 9:51 AM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Just as Kevin Durant asked out of Brooklyn, the Nets swung a trade for Royce O’Neale and later re-signed Nic Claxton and Patty Mills. On the supporting cast the Nets are creating for whoever comes back in a Durant trade: theathletic.com/3393165/2022/0… – 9:46 AM Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
ICYMI, As Kevin Durant seeks his way of Brooklyn, Rockets see value, potential of the Nets draft picks they hold increase as they hoped houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron – 9:38 AM Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Now on @njdotcom
With Ben Simmons on roster, Nets can’t trade Kevin Durant for a whole bunch of NBA stars nj.com/nets/2022/07/w… – 9:17 AM Michael Grange @michaelgrange
As the NBA was tilted sideways by Kevin Durant’s bombshell, the Toronto Raptors kept it steady at the opening of free agency. Exciting? No. Effective? It just might be: sportsnet.ca/article/as-nba… – 9:03 AM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
NEW: Miami Heat keeps Victor Oladipo on a one-year deal, signs Dedmon for two years, waits out Durant: miamiherald.com/sports/spt-col… – 9:02 AM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Dunc’d On Prime: 2022 Free Agency Day 1: KD Trade Request, Every Signing, Every Team w/ @Danny Leroux
Get 35% off the monthly price with our Mock Offseason Total Access Sale: https://t.co/XSgwN6BUIK pic.twitter.com/hVlnehNo4p – 9:00 AM Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Roundtable! @TheCrossover staff reacts to Kevin Durant’s trade request and dives into the Nets options for Durant and Kyrie Irving si.com/nba/2022/07/01… – 8:43 AM David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
For the third time in six years, Kevin Durant is leaving. He isn’t a free agent this time, but his trade request from the Nets begs the question: will he ever be content where he is? The great ⁦@Marcus Thompson⁩ & I consider, in ⁦@TheAthletic⁩: theathletic.com/3394065/2022/0… – 8:17 AM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Dunc’d On Prime: 2022 Free Agency Day 1: KD Trade Request, Every Signing, Every Team w/ @Nate Duncan
Get 35% off the monthly price with our Mock Offseason Total Access Sale: https://t.co/n4QLDCqWYd pic.twitter.com/zUKdF6WMor – 8:00 AM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
An intriguing part of this possible Kevin Durant to #Suns situation is he’d face Golden State, the team he won his 2 chips/2 finals MVPs with.
That would be bananas, especially in WCF.
Already buzz between Suns #Warriors.
Durant in Phoenix would take it to an unreal level #NBA – 6:18 AM Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
KD to #Wizards? Makes sense on many levels, especially at 250-1: sidelines.io/nba/which-team… – 6:01 AM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
One of the best episodes of the year on Dunc’d On Prime. @Danny Leroux and I recorded for 3 hours to discuss the KD trade request and go through every signing and every team. Join us with our special offseason sale duncdon.supportingcast.fm – 4:39 AM Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
The more I look at it, the more the #Wizards make sense for KD. More coming on that. – 3:14 AM Justin Verrier @JustinVerrier
New free-agency bonanza episode of The Ringer NBA Show w/ @BigWos: The KD Sweepstakes, the Lakers’ latest attempt at retooling, Daryl Morey’s Roxers, supermaxes aplenty and more. open.spotify.com/episode/0EDcIH… – 2:48 AM Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
Lowe Post podcast: Recapping a wild 24 hours in the NBA w/ @Kevin Pelton: KD trade request, Kyrie’s next home (Lakers?), Hawks/Spurs, Sixers, Wiz/Beal, Wolves/KAT, Gobert rumors, Lakers, Clippers, much, much more:
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fir…
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/64MivV… – 1:33 AM Sean Highkin @highkin
Free agency day 1 recap at @RoseGardenReprt (free and unlocked): A Kevin Durant wild goose chase in Northeast Portland and Anfernee Simons gets paid, and what may be still to come. rosegardenreport.beehiiv.com/p/kevin-durant…
Subscribe: rosegardenreport.beehiiv.com – 1:25 AM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
New for ⁦@YahooSports⁩: Kevin Durant’s trade request doesn’t absolve him of blame for the biggest failure in NBA history (plus details on possible outcome for Kyrie, insight on Durant and Phoenix/Miami) sports.yahoo.com/kevin-durants-… – 12:51 AM Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
What Kevin Durant’s pending exodus means for Houston on Red Nation Hoops rednationhoops.com/p/what-kevin-d… – 12:15 AM Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Brooklyn has no incentive to tank, but they also have no reason to worry about their record, either. That undercuts the threat from Durant and Kyrie of refusing to play if they’re not traded. So what? The season’s toast anyway. Get the offer you want. AK – 11:58 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Ben Simmons now key to #Nets‘ rebuild with Durant, Irving on their way out nypost.com/2022/06/30/nba… via @nypostsports – 11:54 PM Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Heat Twitter freaking out about what the roster will look like
Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler: pic.twitter.com/d3sd5ucy11 – 11:42 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Trade market is, as per usual, somewhat slow to develop. Probably going to be held up even more than usual because of KD. No one wants to move a tradable asset and then find out they could have had a shot at KD later. – 11:32 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
As the Raptors take care of business, let’s remember that the Kevin Durant situation is only vaguely similar to 2018’s Kawhi Leonard situation: theathletic.com/3394243/2022/0… – 11:30 PM Tony East @TEastNBA
First of many free agency podcasts is up. @friedmanadam5 and I reunite to discuss the early hours of free agency, the Pacers 0 moves so far (and why), KD impacting the free agency landscape, Jalen Smith, and much more.
https://t.co/zmFKjC8Qm3 pic.twitter.com/0vaAo1uj3w – 11:27 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
New: Kevin Durant has one of the biggest salaries in the NBA. If the Celtics decided to make a trade offer for the All-Star forward, what would they need to include in the deal to make the math work? masslive.com/celtics/2022/0… – 11:06 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lots to get into on Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and everything else in NBA free agency. Looking forward toward analyzing first day of NBA free agency with @SwollenDome & @ohrnberger on @FoxSportsRadio. Tune in at 8:20 pm PT ihr.fm/2IBN81n – 11:05 PM Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
The guy you do not want to be right now is #Nets GM Sean Marks. The teams that makes most sense as a landing zone for KD are the #Suns and #Pelicans. Eastern Conference next season looks bleak. – 11:02 PM Brian Geltzeiler @BGeltzNBA
The Nets two biggest mistakes of this Durant/Kyrie era were, somewhat ironically, trading for Harden and then trading Harden. Not sure which one was the bigger error… – 10:50 PM Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Bulls Day 1 free agency – KD, Zach LaVine news, and an Andre Drummond …
Read it:
chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2022/6/3… – 10:34 PM Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Kevin Durant: “Bam Adebayo stood out to me.” 👀
pic.twitter.com/hsIEDyk3pD – 10:31 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
The Raptors are well positioned to enter the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. The question is: how much do they want to be in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes? https://t.co/N8waheo8D2 pic.twitter.com/FktEP3o7J0 – 10:25 PM Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
KD finna wear this on a hoodie before going for 60 in Barclays next season. pic.twitter.com/GQI4qAZcJE – 10:22 PM Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA
The Lakers should be doing everything in their power to trade Anthony Davis for Kevin Durant. – 10:04 PM Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
📺 @Brian Scalabrine + @trenni want Kevin Durant. I’m not as eager to break this thing up. We yell about it.
bit.ly/3bCia9A – 9:59 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
On the increased likelihood that Kyrie Irving is traded to the Lakers, the potential framework of a two- or three-team deal, the Lakers’ reluctance to trade Anthony Davis for Kevin Durant and more with @Sam Amick: theathletic.com/3394038/2022/0… – 9:52 PM Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Kevin Durant reportedly has Phoenix among his desired trade destinations.
@EvCoRadio and @Howard Beck discuss the multiple paths for the Suns to trade for KD. pic.twitter.com/uLPrNDuC4P – 9:48 PM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
As it stands right now, the Heat’s roster is at 12 players on standard contracts for next season: Butler, Adebayo, Lowry, Robinson, Oladipo, Herro, Dedmon, Jovic (not signed yet), Strus, Vincent, Yurtseven and Highsmith (non-guaranteed salary). – 9:46 PM Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
It can’t happen for financial reasons, but would you trade Scottie Barnes for Kevin Durant one for one? – 9:42 PM Sam Amick @sam_amick
Does the Kevin Durant trade request in Brooklyn give a Kyrie Irving-LeBron James reunion in Laker Land new life? All the answers here, with @Jovan Buha, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/3394038/2022/0… – 9:39 PM Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Here’s the link for you to watch the live pod between @Alex Schiffer and I, breaking down all of the Kevin Durant madness, from where the Nets go from here to fake trades to everything. Starting in one minute.
https://t.co/E7QeOrr2AJ pic.twitter.com/gXqLR33raa – 9:30 PM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
NEW: Can the Celtics trade for Kevin Durant? Should the Celtics trade for Kevin Durant? @Jay King and I broke it down: theathletic.com/3393996/2022/0… – 9:29 PM Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
we knew for days this was possible and yet it still feels kinda surreal to speculate about kevin durant trades.
(my first phone call would be to new orleans for zion) si.com/nba/2022/06/30… – 9:04 PM Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Will have a quick Bonus podcast up with @alex__schiffer breaking down all of the Kevin Durant news today coming soon. – 9:02 PM Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA
Kevin Durant to the Heat for Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson. Get it done. – 8:57 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Story on the end of the KD/Kyrie era Nets. Three years to the day of the Clean Sweep, Kevin Durant asks for a trade that could be of historic returns: theathletic.com/3393667/2022/0… – 8:52 PM Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Talking to a couple of agents with free agents and the sense is that market has slowed to a crawl until KD (and Kyrie, to a lesser extent) situation gets sorted out. Too many things in play, teams don’t want to commit and miss an opportunity, even tangential to main event. – 8:52 PM Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Draft shows are 95% saturated with Kyrie and KD stories—-you know what- this is a huge day for undrafted players who agreed to a generational contract ( Dort) for guys like Anfernee Simons and Jalen Brunson who bet on themselves and will make 25 million a year. Good on them. – 8:42 PM Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Three Kevin Durant to OKC trade ideas that we definitely 100% absolutely will not see.
But hey, just for fun: oklahoman.com/story/sports/n… – 8:30 PM Tom Ziller @teamziller
On Monday Kyrie did the quote thing: “… those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow.”
THEORY: Kyrie knew he’d be mocked. KD was supposed to request a trade on Tuesday, proving Kyrie’s cryptic quote true and confirming KAI on a higher plane of consciousness than us 👁 – 8:15 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
Players have a TON of power. We’ve all seen plenty of examples of that. Still, if I had Kevin Durant under contract for four more seasons and he requested a trade, I would politely tell him no. – 8:13 PM Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
Warriors fans, would you want KD back on the roster? Consider the package it would take. – 8:07 PM StatMuse @statmuse
JaVale McGee has played with some elite talent:
LeBron James
Anthony Davis
Steph Curry
Klay Thompson
Draymond Green
Kevin Durant
Nikola Jokic
Devin Booker
Chris Paul
Dirk Nowitzki
And now, Luka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/JW2sI7Cnb8 – 7:51 PM Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Sean Marks on Royce O’Neale amid the KD news:
“We are excited to welcome Royce and his family to Brooklyn. He is a versatile wing defender and floor spacer whose tenacious style of play fits the fabric of the team we are building.” – 7:48 PM Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
Look at the Big 10 amassing a war chest to trade for Kevin Durant – 7:46 PM NBA Math @NBA_Math
🗣EMERGENCY @HardwoodKnocks
📋 Kevin Durant Trade Request Reaction
🔘 Best KD trades
🔘 Future of the Nets
🔘 Kyrie trades
🔘 Ben Simmons trades(?)
🔘 MORE!
🎧 https://t.co/J0ddS05WaW
🍎 https://t.co/ZMBjCAsaXu
https://t.co/K6RQiCojj4
📺 https://t.co/RzkBQgrxjP pic.twitter.com/ybKrGFXW7V – 7:37 PM Alvaro Martin @AlvaroNBAMartin
Si eres Rob Pelinka y el precio por Kevin Durant es Anthony Davis, ¿descartas ese canje de plano? Si eres Pat Riley y el precio por Kevin Durant es Jimmy Butler, ¿descartas ese traspaso de plano? Muchas superestrellas estarán nerviosas hasta que Durant halle un nuevo hogar. pic.twitter.com/shDosoZjxy – 7:33 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Nets free agency Day 1 notebook including notes on KD, Kyrie, Donovan Mitchell and more.
nydailynews.com/sports/basketb… – 7:31 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
As Zach Lowe says, neither Phoenix nor Heat seemingly has enough-on paper-to entice Nets (if Booker not included). Question is whether Durant would be accommodating if best offer comes from team with really skilled young players (Wolves, Grizzlies, Raptors, New Orleans etc.) – 7:30 PM Mark Giannotto @mgiannotto
COLUMN:
Hey Kevin Durant: Memphis is the best place for your dreams to come true, the place where you can most dramatically change your legacy.
commercialappeal.com/story/sports/c… – 7:30 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
On today’s @PHNX_Suns Podcast, we talked about all things Kevin Durant, including how a Deandre Ayton sign-and-trade hard-caps any team that lands him.
After the Nets’ Royce O’Neale trade, all signs are confirming they really might not want DA
🎧 https://t.co/A51s2pWuZn pic.twitter.com/bGnpqDE48c – 7:15 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Going on I Am Athlete now to talk Kyrie/KD/Nets – 7:02 PM Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Hopping on @NBATV now to talk free agency and Kevin Durant. – 7:01 PM Bill Ingram @TheRocketGuy
If I’m putting together an NBA team I wouldn’t touch Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant with a 10-foot basketball goal. Give me some guys who want to play hard every night and fight to win even if you have to play through injuries. I’ll take my chances. #NBAFreeAgency – 7:00 PM Krishna Narsu @knarsu3
Someone forget to tell Patty that KD asked for a trade? – 6:56 PM Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Hectic start to NBA free agency, but don’t get too worked up about the Mavs’ relative quiet.
Source: “Right now we’re waiting to see the ripple effect from the KD request.”
Aren’t we all. – 6:56 PM Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
Nets are learning what Warriors learned 3 years ago. Kevin Durant is an explorer. He will live and love as he sees fit. He knows best what nourishes his soul. nbcsports.com/bayarea/warrio… – 6:54 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Heat retain Victor Oladipo, Dewayne Dedmon, lose P.J. Tucker, are linked to trade talks for Kevin Durant. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… Heat remaining free agents: Udonis Haslem, Caleb Martin, Markieff Morris. – 6:54 PM Spencer Percy @QCHspencer
NBA analysts saying this KD trade will happen soon mighttttt be getting paid to say that. If you think the Nets, who owe basically all their draft capital elsewhere over the next 4-5 years, are going to rush this decision then you’re drunk. They have to get established talent NOW – 6:52 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Heat, now, with 11 players signed or agreed to terms on standard deals for 2022-23: Butler, Bam, Lowry, Herro, Robinson, Strus, Vincent, Yurtseven, Oladipo, Dedmon, Highsmith…. Haslem and M. Morris remain UFAs. Caleb Martin is restricted FA. – 6:46 PM Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“He doesn’t too much care what people think”
@termineradio and @Eddie Johnson break down the huge news of Kevin Durant requesting a trade #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/Qvy2ZQ0wmp – 6:45 PM Sean Highkin @highkin
Fwiw I was told Kevin Durant isn’t actually at Mike James’ basketball camp in Portland as was said on ESPN. Was scheduled to be at one point but didn’t make it out, is my understanding. – 6:45 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Kevin Durant trade rumors: How the Designated Rookie rule will limit who the Nets can deal for
cbssports.com/nba/news/kevin… – 6:36 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Among PFs, Portis, Ingles, Thaddeus Young, Chris Boucher off the board… Warren, O. Porter, Kyle Anderson among those remaining in free agency… And Heat, of course, is pursuing Durant trade, as are many teams… There was nothing percolating on trade for Crowder earlier today – 6:36 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Harden win% with different teammates:
68.6 — P.J. Tucker
66.8 — Kevin Durant
66.7 — Joel Embiid
66.2 — Russell Westbrook pic.twitter.com/2wHfMz0z42 – 6:22 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Me watching all my favorite Suns MLE targets go off the board in the first 20 minutes but remembering it’s because they’re trying to get Kevin Durant as we speak: pic.twitter.com/DtyDp40BYc – 6:19 PM Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
New #Rockets at #TXSN – Kevin Durant wants out of Brooklyn. Why that’s great for the Rockets — for now. ift.tt/6Rcv3GV – 6:18 PM Dalton Johnson @DaltonJ_Johnson
Draymond being in the Hamptons the same day KD requested his trade from the Nets pic.twitter.com/rxHUTPg10n – 6:11 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Isaiah Hartenstein and Bobby Portis immediately takes 2 of my Suns targets off the board right away. And now Danuel House, one of my wing targets, is going to the Sixers.
KD obviously takes precedence, but definitely keeping an eye on some of these MLE guys in the meantime – 6:08 PM Casey Holdahl @CHold
The top of last week’s NBA draft, KD’s request and USC/UCLA being literally hours away from leaving the conference are all strong evidence that, despite what many would lead you to believe, no one really knows much of anything. – 6:07 PM Ian Begley @IanBegley
Talking Knicks/Jalen Brunson, free agency, Kevin Durant and more on The Putback with @CPTheFanchise, @JCMacriNBA and @CWilliamson44: twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 6:05 PM Ben Anderson @BensHoops
Really have to think whoever agreed to send a first round pick to the Jazz for O’Neale had no idea Durant was going to request a trade.
Makes zero sense to sacrifice cap room and a pick for a team that is likely going to enter a full rebuild.
Terrible timing. – 5:59 PM Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
If the Nets are indeed looking for an All-Star caliber player and draft picks, Boston has to be considered in play. Jaylen Brown and perhaps an unprecedented collection of picks/swaps. Ime Udoka, who coached KD in Brooklyn, could make the Celtics more appealing. – 5:53 PM Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
Source: It’s unclear whether Kevin Durant is interested in joining the 76ers, but Joel Embiid has made it clear to management that he wants them to exhaust every option in trying to acquire Durant. – 5:53 PM Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
What would a Kevin Durant to the Suns trade offer look like? Quick breakdown theathletic.com/3393534/2022/0… – 5:52 PM Stephen Noh @StephNoh
Also have some info up on potential holdups, assets available to move, frameworks, etc. in a Suns-Durant trade:
sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/ke… – 5:49 PM Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
In 6 hours players on a rookie contract can agree to an extension.
Does the Kevin Durant news put a pause to that? – 5:46 PM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
This should be every team in the league right now. Throw in some lifetime passes to Disney. Kevin Durant — still in his prime — is the player every team needs to try to get. (Via paolo5 IG) pic.twitter.com/7FsCfk9G9h – 5:45 PM Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Bigger speculation now that the Nets are no longer ESPN-interesting … does @Nick Friedell come back to Chicago for a reporter to be named later? KD trade demand has league-wide collateral damage! – 5:44 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Brian Windhorst, taking a deep, deep breath, says on ESPN that league executives have “floated” that the Lakers could try to trade for KD and Kyrie as a package deal if the two are still interested in playing together. – 5:42 PM Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
Durant says he doesn’t want to play with Kyrie, Simmons or even Uncle Drew…or play for Steve Nash…or work for Sean Marks and Joseph Tsai… – 5:41 PM Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
NBA FREE AGENCY IS ALMOST UNDERWAY! We’re reacting to every rumor/agreement (plus the Kevin Durant situation) here: twitter.com/i/spaces/1ZkJz… – 5:37 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
OKC fans Nets fans
🤝
KD ruining 4th of July weekend – 5:35 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Shams says Kyrie is fully supportive of Kevin Durant’s decision, and that the Nets want an all star caliber player and significant draft compensation in a Durant deal. – 5:33 PM Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
NBA Free Agency show begins on @Stadium with the latest on Kevin Durant requesting a trade from the Nets: twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 5:30 PM John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Rooting for the scenario where Miami makes the cap math work on a Durant trade with a three-year, $139 million sign-and-trade deal for Udonis Haslem. – 5:29 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
If the Heat do not get Kevin Durant, it won’t be a case of “losing out” on Kevin Durant. Pat Riley has the Heat in seemingly every prime personnel discussion. That’s all any NBA team can ask for. – 5:28 PM Adi Joseph @AdiJoseph
I don’t know a single person who became a Nets fan because they got Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but I see the straw men are getting burned on the timeline today. – 5:23 PM John Hollinger @johnhollinger
New for @The Athletic – Emergency Durant roundtable with @Sam Amick @Joe Vardon @Alex__Schiffer. What are Nets’ options, the complications of an Ayton sign-and-trade, would Miami really offer Jimmy Butler, what stars should other teams dangle, and more
theathletic.com/3393459/2022/0… – 5:10 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
The Nets CAN get Bam Adebayo (if they trade Ben Simmons). When you get to moves as big as Kevin Durant, everything has to be on the table. – 4:41 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
With Simmons needed to be sent out (to Heat or elsewhere) in any Bam/Nets deal, one HYPOTHETICAL permutation that would work within cap rules is Durant/Simmons for Bam, Herro, Lowry, Robinson and three first-rounders (including Jokic). – 3:41 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
The Nets can’t acquire Bam Adebayo if they keep Ben Simmons. They can’t have two Designated Rookie guys acquired via trade.
So, who do the Heat offer up to the Nets? Remember, you have to match $44M in salary! – 3:23 PM Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Best the Heat can do right now is Lowry, Herro, mix of young guys (Vincent, Strus, Yurt) and three first-round picks (plus swaps). It’s possible they could reroute Lowry to a third team to have younger players go back to BKN, but not sure how many teams are helping Riley land KD – 3:13 PM Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
This could really be insane
The Heat miss out on everybody
But now sit a big time package away from a top 3 player in the world: Kevin Durant
Bam Adebayo can’t be offered in this deal due to contracts with Ben Simmons
So it’s time for madness – 3:08 PM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Our Heat free agency tracker has been updated: Jimmy Butler confident in Heat front office entering free agency and the latest on P.J. Tucker miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 1:15 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Heat gets meeting with Brunson. And Heat updates on eve of free agency: Wall, Tucker, Lowry, PFs, more: miamiherald.com/sports/spt-col… – 10:05 PM Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Looking at this news w/ Brunson and possibly S+T with Lowry, I have 1 comment:
Jimmy was best friends with Dragic, and he got traded
Jimmy became very close with PJ, and he might walk
Jimmy is closer with Kyle than anybody, what makes you think Miami won’t be willing to move? – 6:22 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Mavs free agent PG Jalen Brunson will meet with Knicks (considered the heavy front-runner for him), Dallas and Heat this week, per @Chris Haynes .. Would require sign and trade with Miami, which already has Kyle Lowry at PG…. NBA (legal) floodgates open at 6 tomorrow. – 6:12 PM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Jalen Brunson would match everything Tom Thibodeau values in players—-winner, toughness, durability, reliability. When you embody those attributes, Thibs has your back for life. (Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler, Luol Deng . . .) – 10:22 PM

More on this storyline

But Heat players are said to be lobbying Tucker to remain with the team. Butler is very much hoping he re-signs with Miami. -via Miami Herald / June 30, 2022 There’s no indication that the Heat wants to move on from 36-year-old Kyle Lowry – who is very close with Jimmy Butler – but Pat Riley has said that Lowry needs to get in better shape. The Heat has assured Lowry that it has no intention of trading him for Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving, according to a source briefed on the situation. We’re told that Lowry wasn’t upset when Riley said publicly that his conditioning must improve. -via Miami Herald / June 29, 2022 Any potential interest the Heat has in acquiring Irving, 30, will depend on what his price is on the trade market or in free agency. The belief is the Heat is not currently willing to give up its top assets to acquire Irving — a list that obviously includes Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, and also Tyler Herro. -via Miami Herald / June 27, 2022 All eyes are on Phoenix when it comes to Durant, the Nets star who is believed to be targeting the Suns as his preferred next destination. Yet while I wrote at length on Thursday about how a deal centered on restricted free agent center Deandre Ayton and small forward Mikal Bridges might work for both sides, the early sense is that it would take more than that. Or, to be clearer, something different. As the New York Daily News’ Kristian Winfield pointed out in the wake of the Rudy Gobert-to-Minnesota blockbuster that went down on Friday, the Nets’ asking price for Durant — two All-Stars, as we’d been told — may have just gone up. There’s no way the Suns are trading Devin Booker, who just agreed to a four-year, $224 million extension. -via The Athletic / July 1, 2022 While we wait, let’s explore the more macro question: Why does Durant appear focused on Phoenix as the best place to continue his legendary career? There are likely a lot of factors in play here — the chance to contend again, the L.A.-adjacent locale, his relationship with Booker and respect for Chris Paul. But in terms of the personal dynamics, his close relationship with Suns coach Monty Williams may top the list. -via The Athletic / July 1, 2022 Oleh Kosel: Zach Lowe in reaction to Utah acquiring 5 first-rounders for Rudy Gobert on ESPN’s NBA Today show: “At this point, the only team that has enough picks to trade for Kevin Durant is Oklahoma City. I mean, what’s it going to take to get Kevin Durant? 12 first-round picks?” -via Twitter @OlehKosel / July 1, 2022 The Miami Heat are another one of Durant’s preferences. They will have no problem matching salaries for Durant assuming a combination of Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, and Tyler Herro, but they lack the draft equity other teams have to offer. They are limited to trading two first-round picks in 2027 (first available draft) and 2029. They could also include Nikola Jovic and some of their talented minimum role players. -via HoopsHype / June 30, 2022 A street in a North York neighbourhood will soon be named after a beloved former Toronto Raptor. Kyle Lowry Road will be one of the eight new streets at Don Mills Crossing, a 60-acre site near Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East, which is the future location of a community hub with new residential, office and retail buildings. -via CP24 / June 10, 2022 Duren has drawn comparisons to Bam Adebayo for their physical profiles, as Memphis Tigers assistant coach Larry Brown told the New York Post. “He’s a lottery talent,” one college coach, who also coached in the NBA, previously told HoopsHype. “No doubt about it. I’d be surprised If he gets past 10 or 12. That’s got to be his floor, in my opinion. Even if the center value is going down, if you can find one that can clean the glass and protect the rim, that’s valuable.” -via HoopsHype / June 18, 2022 How would you defend someone like Nikola Jokic? Williams: That’s probably one of the hardest guards in the league. But I would definitely pressure him because of how good he is at passing. That’s something we did at Arkansas. We tried to pressure guys who can make passes. I would try to push him out of his comfort zone in that mid-range and mid-post area, close to the 3-point area, so he can’t make those passes. The further you push him out, the longer the pass is going to be, and the further the offense gets pushed from the basket. If you pressure him and don’t let him get those easy passes and those easy things, it’s going to make the offense run slower, and you’re deeper from the goal. But I just really like challenges. I like playing against guys that are the top dogs. I like being the underdog. That’s always been my thing. I want to play against Jokic. I want to play against the Warriors and see how they run their offense and see how they move around so much. I want to play against Bam Adebayo and see how hard the Heat play on offense and on defense. Every team requires a different defensive concept. -via For The Win / June 16, 2022