Kevin Durant reportedly has requested to be traded prior to the start of free agency.
Keep track of all the latest NBA free agency news and reports as the 2022 NBA free agent period officially begins at 6 p.m. ET today.
Here are the top headlines from June 30 so far:
Reports: Durant requests trade
Kevin Durant reportedly has requested to be traded by the Brooklyn Nets, according to multiple reports. The former Kia NBA MVP reportedly informed the Nets of his decision today. The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat have been mentioned as potential contenders to land the superstar forward who averaged 29.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 6.4 apg over 55 games last season.
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Kevin Durant has requested a trade out of Brooklyn, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
Durant requested a trade with the team today, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/BkNEHwkrc0
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
Phoenix and Miami are among two of the teams that Kevin Durant has on his wish list, sources tell ESPN, but the Nets plan to move Durant where they can get the best possible deal. With four years on his contract, there’s no shortage of teams willing to unload assets for Durant.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
— 3:03 p.m.
Reports: Nets land O’Neale in trade with Jazz
The Utah Jazz are trading Royce O’Neale to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a 2023 first round-pick, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the pick coming from the Nets will be “the lesser of their own, Houston or Philadelphia’s 2023 first-round pick.”
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— 2:58 p.m.
Nets reportedly interested in McGee, Drummond
Journeyman center JaVale McGee is fresh off a solid season with the Phoenix Suns (9.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and is an unrestricted free agent this summer. Former All-Star center Andre Drummond is also an unrestricted free agent this summer and, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post, the Nets are showing interest in both big men.
— 2:33 p.m.
Reports: Sixers, others in pursuit of Tucker
Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden reportedly opted out of his deal last night, but he is expected to re-sign at a lower rate to help the team. Per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Harden’s move means the Sixers plan to ink forward (and former Harden teammate) P.J. Tucker to a three-year, $30 million deal once free agency opens. Additionally, the Hawks, Wolves, Nets and Bulls — as well as the Sixers — are expected to make a push for Tucker with the full mid-level exception, notes Alex Schiffer of The Athletic.
— 7:28 a.m.; updated 12:50 p.m.
Brunson reportedly won’t meet with Heat today
Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reported that Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson will meet with the Mavs, New York Knicks and Miami Heat once free agency opens. However, per Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press, the Heat are not planning to meet with Brunson today nor did they have a meeting scheduled with him.
— 11:13 a.m.
Report: Pistons, Walker finalizing buyout
As a part of a three-team, Draft-night trade, New York Knicks guard Kemba Walker was reportedly dealt to the Detroit Pistons. However, he will not be with Detroit for long. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Pistons and Walker are finalizing a contract buyout that will put Walker in the free agency pool once he clears waivers.
— 9:06 a.m.
Wolves won’t have much room to maneuver
Minnesota was busy to open the offseason, agreeing to a reported two-year extension with forward Taurean Prince and also picking up team options on Naz Reid and Jaylen Nowell. Those moves, plus some others, would theoretically leave Minnesota with one roster spot to use for their mid-level exception of just over $10 million, writes Chris Hine of the Star-Tribune, which may make for a quiet summer in free agency.
— 8:02 a.m.
Some reported names to watch on Lakers’ radar
The Los Angeles Lakers have a multitude of openings on their roster for 2022-23 and apparently may have a few names in mind for those spots. Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports the Lakers will target Otto Porter Jr., Nicolas Batum, Gary Harris, TJ Warren, Caleb Martin, Cody Martin, Mo Bamba and Danuel House Jr. with their full taxpayer midlevel exception.
— 7:41 a.m.
Extensions to watch for in offseason
While free agency opens today, there are some non-free agents to pay attention too this summer as well. As Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press points out, two-time reigning Kia MVP Nikola Jokic can sign a supermax extension worth $260 million this summer, while Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns and Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker can each sign supermax deals of their own in the $210 million range.
— 7:03 a.m.
Report: Brunson to meet with Knicks, Mavs, Heat
Jalen Brunson is one of the top targets in free agency and based on reporting so far, he seems to be the No. 1 target on the New York Knicks’ radar. However, per Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, Brunson plans to meet with the Knicks, the Miami Heat as well as the incumbent Dallas Mavericks in New York before making his free agency decision later today. Per Haynes, Dallas is expected to offer a five-year, $106 million deal while New York will likely counter with a four-year, $110 million deal. Miami would need a sign-and-trade deal to get Brunson.
— 6:58 a.m.
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