NBA Intel: Kevin Durant Trade Talks, Desmond Bane, Jonathan Kuminga, Celtics, Hawks, Nets

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After nearly trading superstar Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, the Phoenix Suns are nearing a new destination for the 15-time All-Star with the draft approaching.

The Houston Rockets have been heavily linked to the Suns in Durant trade talks for several reasons.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka has a relationship with Durant dating back to their days with the Brooklyn Nets. Udoka was also Boston’s coach while the Celtics discussed potentially trading Jaylen Brown in a package for Durant.

Udoka’s fondness for Durant is profound. The question is, where does Rockets executive Rafael Stone fall on that spectrum?

Houston has Phoenix’s No. 10 overall pick in this draft class and control of the Suns’ top selection in 2027 and 2029. Gathering some of those draft assets back in return for Durant would greatly appeal to Phoenix, league sources told HoopsHype.

The Rockets also have several young, talented players that could help the Suns compete with Devin Booker in his prime.

The Rockets, however, have been unwilling to part with 22-year-old First Team All-Defensive selection Amen Thompson in trade talks, league sources told HoopsHype.

It’s believed that Houston would also not want to part with 22-year-old All-Star Alperen Sengun in talks for Durant.

In a potential trade with the Suns for Durant, Houston could include guard Jalen Green and his $33.33 million salary for the 2025-26 season. With guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal already on the roster, having failed to trade Beal as the Suns attempted to before the trade deadline, Phoenix has done background on Green to gauge his value around the league in case Green is acquired, and it’s worthwhile to flip him again via trade, league sources told HoopsHype.

Houston also has two forwards, former No. 3 pick Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, who are notable trade candidates that are rookie-scale extension-eligible this offseason. If they don’t agree to a new deal, they’ll enter the final season of their contracts before being eligible for restricted free agency and pay raises in the summer of 2026.

Speaking of former high draft picks, Former third overall selection Reed Sheppard was limited to only 12.6 minutes in 52 games during the regular season. With Houston looking to retain Fred VanVleet, Sheppard won’t have an immediate pathway for significant playing time.

Similarly to Sheppard, Rockets swingman Cam Whitmore is another talented young player whose playing time is limited due to the excessive depth on the roster and could be a trade candidate.

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There’s also mutual interest between the San Antonio Spurs and Durant in a partnership.

After drafting franchise pillar Victor Wembanyama, the plan was always to be competitive by his third season. That time has arrived. The Spurs began that process earnestly by trading for De’Aaron Fox, who’s expected to agree to a long-term extension with the Spurs this summer.

San Antonio also drafted Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, whom the Spurs want to keep out of Durant talks. In addition, the Spurs have the No. 2 pick where guard Dylan Harper – the consensus second-best player in the draft among NBA executives – will be available to be selected.

San Antonio’s No. 14 pick via Atlanta is seen as obtainable on the trade market by rival NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype.

In general, rival executives believe Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan could be obtained on the trade market.

Would the Spurs part with 24-year-old swingman Devin Vassell in Durant discussions?

Armed with draft pick flexibility in the coming years, San Antonio has the future assets on paper to get a deal done for Durant if they desire.

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Elsewhere, the Minnesota Timberwolves – who were said to be the strongest pursuer of Durant ahead of the trade deadline – remain in the mix to acquire the four-time scoring champion to pair him with fellow Team USA Olympian Anthony Edwards, who’s looked up to him.

Timberwolves rising 24-year-old forward Jaden McDaniels was off limits at the trade deadline, as previously reported in March on HoopsHype, and that remains the case now.

Phoenix is looking for an upgrade at center, which Minnesota can offer in Rudy Gobert. Theoretically, parting with Gobert would open up more playing time at center for former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid, who views himself as a starter and is a priority for the Timberwolves to retain this summer, as previously reported on June 4th on HoopsHype.

Julius Randle, meanwhile, has a $30.94 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Randle was previously discussed in a potential trade package for Durant before the deadline along with guard Donte DiVincenzo, sources told HoopsHype and as reported in March.

Another item worth monitoring is whether or not former No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham would be a trade asset Minnesota would be willing to part with after playing 10.5 minutes in 49 regular-season games and 5.3 minutes in three playoff games against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

Regarding the Miami Heat’s interest in Kevin Durant, the franchise was interested in acquiring him before the deadline and remains interested in reuniting him with fellow Olympians Bam Adebayo and coach Erik Spoelstra.

The Suns have done background work on Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, league sources told HoopsHype. Wiggins is owed $28.22 million this upcoming season and would likely be a part of any Heat trade package for Durant.

A key factor in Miami’s chances of landing Durant could hinge on whether the franchise is willing to part with talented 21-year-old big man Kel’el Ware, who’s of interest to Phoenix.

The Los Angeles Clippers have also lurked with interest in Durant.

The Suns have done background work on Clippers guard Norman Powell and gauged his value across the league in case Phoenix and Los Angeles ever agreed on a Durant trade, league sources told HoopsHype.

Phoenix would assuredly try to pry Clippers 28-year-old starting center Ivica Zubac, who averaged 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds, in any talks for Durant, league sources told HoopsHype. The Clippers, however, highly value Zubac and would be reluctant to part with him.

Powell is one of several potential trade candidates if the Clippers ultimately try to win the Durant sweepstakes. Others include Bogdan Bogdanovic and Derrick Jones Jr. The Clippers can theoretically dangle one unconditional first-round pick (2031) and two swaps (2030 and 2032).

You can find a deep dive on the offseason for the Clippers, including James Harden’s upcoming free agency, by checking out this June 4th story on HoopsHype.

Lastly, Toronto has been quietly trying to make a swing for a star player of Durant’s caliber, and the Raptors are expected to gauge the trade market on swingman RJ Barrett this summer, league sources told HoopsHype.

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The Father’s Day blockbuster Desmond Bane trade from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and one first-round pick swap was a culmination of one franchise looking to shake things up and another franchise looking to take the next step.

During Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman’s exit interview, he emphatically stated, “Disappointing season. A lot to sort through here. 48 wins. Good for an eighth seed, but who cares? It’s not good enough.”

That comment coincided with Orlando Magic President Jeff Weltman and coach Jamahl Mosley emphasizing a win-now mentality shift at exit interviews.

“I think we’re in a place now where the focus will shift to more of a win-now lens,” Weltman said.

“We’re not chasing mediocre,” Mosley said. There’s something bigger.”

This season, Orlando ranked last in 3-pointers made per game (11.2) and 3-point percentage (31.8 percent). The Magic improved its offense by acquiring Bane, a proven career scorer (17.8 points) and 3-point shooter (41 percent), who turns 27 in June.

Bane is “excited” to join Orlando, a league source told HoopsHype.

During the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Kleiman and Weltman were seen visibly talking, which may have played a part in the ultimate trade coming to fruition.

For Memphis, trading away Bane weakens the roster on paper, but the move is considered part of a retool, not a rebuild.  The draft compensation for Bane was too massive for Memphis to turn down.

The Grizzlies will look to create more cap space to renegotiate and extend Jaren Jackson Jr. To help obtain that objective, a trade candidate to monitor is John Konchar, league sources told HoopsHype.

Caldwell-Pope’s durability, defensive prowess on the wing, and career 36.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc are traits the Grizzlies can use to help win. It’s worth noting the acquisition of Caldwell-Pope comes with Grizzlies shooting guard Luke Kennard entering unrestricted free agency this summer.

With Ja Morant and backup point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. already in the mix for Memphis at point guard, Anthony could seemingly be a candidate to be flipped again in a trade at some point.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies have also cast a wide net for potential assistant coaches on the front of their bench, including interest in Adrian Griffin, Jared Dudley, Dale Osbourne, Royal Ivey, Wayne Ellington, etc.

Ivey has also drawn interest this summer from the Spurs, while Dudley has also logged interest from the Cavaliers and Suns, league sources told HoopsHype.

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Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer, but his future in Golden State is uncertain.

Given Kuminga’s fluctuating role with the Warriors following the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, his lukewarm relationship with coach Steve Kerr, and being discussed in trade talks before the deadline to land Kevin Durant that ultimately fell through, there’s a belief a change of scenery could be in the cards this summer.

Kuminga is looking for an expanded and consistent role moving forward, league sources told HoopsHype.

The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are two teams to monitor as potential sign-and-trade candidates for Kuminga, league sources told HoopsHype. With that in mind, the Warriors have also not ruled out the possibility of retaining Kuminga, sources said.

Last season, Golden State expressed interest in trading for Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, now entering the final year of his contract worth $21.48 million.

With the Warriors in a win-now mode, Vucevic’s durability, scoring (17.2 points career average), shooting (40.2 3-point percentage last season), and rebounding (10.5 per game for his career) are all traits that would appeal to Golden State.

Chicago’s roster has gotten younger, and Kuminga, who turns 23 in October, would fit their timeline better than Vucevic, who turns 35 in October and wants to win now, ideally.

Miami has prioritized pursuits of Giannis Antetokounmpo (if he became available this summer) and Durant (whom they’re actively trying to acquire) on their wish list ahead of Kuminga, who’s viewed as a fallback option to the two superstars.

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The top decision for new Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh and ownership will come later this offseason when they must decide how to navigate contract extension talks with four-time All-Star guard Trae Young.

In the meantime, the more urgent priorities are figuring out what the franchise will do with two first-round picks (No. 13 and 22) and their free agents, including Caris LeVert, Clint Capela, and Larry Nance Jr.

“I’d love to re-sign here,” LeVert told HoopsHype in late March. The feeling is mutual from Hawks management, who want to retain LeVert in free agency, league sources say.

After acquiring LeVert in a trade before the deadline, Hawks coach Quin Snyder valued his impact in the locker room, secondary playmaking ability, and scoring, including 14.9 points on 48.2 percent shooting from the field in 26.6 minutes.

With various teams having the non-taxpayer mid-level exception available starting at $14.1 million this summer, LeVert could be in line for a payday similar to his current $16.62 million salary or more to help the Hawks separate themselves from any competitive offers.

Another player the Hawks are interested in re-signing is Larry Nance Jr, HoopsHype has learned.

While limited to 24 games this season, Nance Jr. was effective, averaging 8.5 points on 51.6 percent from the field and 44.7 percent on 3.2 attempts beyond the arc in 19.3 minutes. His locker room presence was also valued for a young Hawks team on the rise.

With that said, Nance Jr. is expected to draw interest in the free agency market from teams looking for frontcourt help.

Capela, meanwhile, is viewed around the league by rival talent evaluators as a candidate who could leave in free agency – a scenario first mentioned back in late March on HoopsHype – after being benched in favor of Onyeka Okongwu and dangled in trade talks before the deadline.

Capela appeared in 55 games, including 41 starts, averaging 8.9 points on 55.9 percent shooting from the field, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 21.4 minutes.

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With the Boston Celtics looking to trim their books while $22.74 million over the second apron, $34.62 million over the first apron, and $42.32 million over the luxury tax amid the loss of franchise star Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles, rival NBA executives looking for center depth are monitoring Al Horford and Luke Kornet heavily.

Horford, who recently turned 39, has remained an impactful player. Horford has remained a switchable defender on the perimeter and has averaged 8.8 points on 38.8 percent shooting beyond the arc with 6.3 rebounds in 27.2 minutes per game while splitting time starting and coming off the bench for the past two seasons.

Predominantly, high-level playoff contenders are monitoring Horford to see if he’d leave Boston, with the Celtics expected to take a step back without Tatum next season and in a financial crunch regarding their salary books.

The general sense around the league and those close to Horford is that he’ll continue to play next season.

In addition, Kornet ranks as one of the best players analytically entering free agency.

Among players who appeared in 50 or more regular season games, Kornet ranks fourth in net rating (14.9), eighth in true shooting percentage (68.3), ninth in offensive rating (121.2), offensive rebounding percentage (13.4) and effective field goal percentage (66.8), 16th in defensive rating (106.3).

After thoroughly outplaying his current contract, Kornet is expected to earn a substantial pay raise and have a robust market this summer among various teams who have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to spend.

Furthermore, Celtics player enhancement coach Phil Pressey will be named head coach of the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, league sources told HoopsHype. Pressey spent two seasons with the Celtics as a player, appearing in 125 games during his first two seasons in the NBA.

After spending one season as the head coach of the Maine Celtics, the early belief is Tyler Lashbrook will move up to a new role with the Boston Celtics.

MORE: NBA Intel: Celtics Trade Candidates, James Harden’s Free Agency, Timberwolves, Kings

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Last week, the New Orleans Pelicans brought in notable projected first-round picks Kon Knueppel and Cedric Coward for workouts, league sources told HoopsHype.

In the latest HoopsHype aggregate mock draft, Knueppel is projected to land with New Orleans at No. 7 and Coward with Oklahoma City at No. 15 overall.

Within league coaching circles, the Pelicans are also said to be considering adding a player development-focused coach to replace Dan Geriot, who departed earlier this season for the head coaching job at Iona.

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When Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez discussed center Day’Ron Sharpe all season, he’d mention rebounding as his “superpower.”

Sharpe ranked third in the NBA in offensive rebound percentage (14.9), trailing only Steven Adams (18.1) and Zach Edey (15.3) among players who appeared in 50 or more regular season games, per NBA.com. Among all players with at least 900 minutes played, Sharpe ranked first in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes (5.91).

With the end of June nearing, the Nets can tender Sharpe a $5.98 million qualifying offer and make him a restricted free agent with a cap hold of $11.97 million.

Ahead of free agency, Sharpe spoke with HoopsHype over the phone about what makes a good rebounder, the differences between doing it on offense and defense, his four years with the Nets, playing for coach Fernandez behind the scenes, where he ranks among backup big men, what he’s expecting he’s expecting in free agency and more.

Day’Ron Sharpe: I’d say strength and being able to be in a great position. If you don’t have strength, even if you’re in a great position, the other guy can move you out of the way. If you want to be a great rebounder, you’ve got to have strength to be able to move off the opponent. When someone shoots the ball, it’s all about getting position while they’re shooting the ball.

You’ve got to know your teammates. Who shoots crazy shots? Who isn’t going to shoot? If Cam (Thomas) comes off a screen and gets to the mid-range, I know he’s about to do a step back, so I try to go ahead and get in a position to rebound way before he shoots the ball. When the shot goes up, I’m already there under the basket. I’m already strong, so you’re not going to move me.

I also don’t give up. Sometimes, a rebound may bounce far away, but if you run, you might get it because a lot of players don’t chase rebounds.

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DS: I like bullying people. Not in real life, but on the court (laughs). I feel like you can’t stop me. Everybody feels their scoring is a way a player can’t be stopped, but it’s the same if somebody can’t stop you from getting a rebound. Or look at Dyson Daniels. He gets every steal, and I know it’s a great feeling.

DS: On the defensive side, you’re trying to stop somebody. Offensively, if you don’t get a rebound, nobody is mad. The defender is trying to stop me. It’s always going to be harder to stop an attacker than being a defender. When someone is attacking, if they’re stronger and can overpower you, it’s harder to defend. If you’re offensively rebounding and somebody is weaker, they’re trying to stop somebody going full speed running into them and bumping them. If a big man is trying to block a shot, it’ll usually be a smaller guard on you, so it’s easier for you to get in position to rebound.

Defensively, it’s harder because sometimes you’ve got to play both the guard and the big, and you’ve got to try and block a shot while getting a rebound because you’re the biggest person on the court. When you’re playing on defense, you’re trying to defend your man. You’re the center, so you’ve got to protect the rim. Just rebounding isn’t the only thing you’ve got to do. On offense, you know that when somebody shoots, rebound. That’s the only thing you’ve got to think about.

DS: Right now, I’m in Los Angeles. I’m continuing to work on my shot, my touch, and finishing around the basket stronger. I’ve also worked on ball handling because of the way we play with the mid-post game.

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DS: I feel like I’m just scratching the surface. I’ve got a lot more in my game that a lot of people don’t know. I’ve shown I can rebound with effort and strength. I feel like I’ve got a complete game that I’m working on tightening up.

DS: I’d say you always have to be ready. In my four years with the Nets, we’ve had a lot of injuries, and guys have always had to step up. When you work out, don’t just go through the motions. Approach it like a game situation. Lifting and taking care of your body is a big piece, too. Be on time. Be one of the first ones there.

DS: When I was playing with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, it was a lot easier for you to get scoring opportunities because they drew a lot of attention. Even with Mikal Bridges, too. When he’d come off a screen, he was hitting the fadeaway often. When they left, and you look at this past year, we’ve got guys who can hoop, but we didn’t have the same respect that we had when we had the superstars on our team. Offensively, we have to really run our stuff well to get points. Hopefully, we can gain the respect that we need and deserve.

DS: I think we had a good team. We have a great coach. I don’t know how other people saw it, but I think each game we were in it. Or maybe a team would go on a fourth-quarter run, and that’s where we’d lose. When we played with the teams that were at the top of the league, we were always there. I feel like we have a great group of guys. It didn’t matter who we had on the court. I believed in them 100 percent.

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DS: I love playing for Jordi Fernandez. I think it’s about the way he approaches it. He pays attention to all the details of what the other team is doing. I like our game plans. He believes in us. He always feeds life into us. He believes in us to shoot the ball. He’ll say, “If you’re open, shoot.” I like that. I like how he breathes life into the team and is always trying to help us get better and over the hump. He’s got it in him.

Behind the scenes, Jordi is a cool guy. He likes to have fun. He’ll laugh and joke. Our team dinners are always good. Everybody actually likes hanging out with each other. Our huddles are always good. When it’s time to be serious, he’s serious. When we’re b***********, he’s on our a**.

He also will give credit when it’s due. He doesn’t give us credit by saying we’re the best. He’ll give some tough love. “We were great tonight, but can we do it three games in a row?” He always challenges us, which I like. Even if we’re on a three-game winning streak, he’ll challenge us the next game to be better than the game before. It doesn’t matter if we’re playing the worst or best team in the league. He approaches the game the same way every night.

DS: I think I’m one of the best. I’m a humble person, so I don’t like really talking or comparing myself to other people. But when it comes to backup bigs, I think I’m one of the best. I’m trying to continue to prove myself and work hard.

DS: I’m looking forward to the experience because I don’t know too much about free agency. This is my first year experiencing it. I’m looking forward to learning from it and how to move later on in my career.

DS: I’ve been in that gym. Kyle Korver told me in my first year that my main thing should be to be in the weight room. In my first year, I told the training staff I wanted to do extra lifts and sets. That’s what I’ve been doing. The way I eat, I’ve changed that too. I give credit to the training staff in Brooklyn. I’ve been here a lot during the summers working out with them.

DS: I really think I can help any team win, which is the main thing. I’m always going to play hard. I feel like offensive rebounding is a big part of today’s game. Teams want to shoot a lot of threes, so you’ve got to have someone giving your team multiple opportunities to keep shooting them. I also feel like I’ve got a good IQ. I can facilitate the ball. You can throw to me in the short roll, and I won’t fumble the ball.

DS: I can pass that ball. I’m not going to lie. I feel like I’m a great passer, and a lot of people don’t think about that with me. I think I’m a pretty good defender too. I’ll let the work speak for itself.

In my first season, I didn’t play. Now, any minutes I get, I think about dominating those minutes. If I play 18 minutes, in my head, I’m supposed to get 10 and 10.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers have several coaching staff positions to fill on their staff after losing Jordan Ott (head coach) and DeMarre Carroll (assistant coach) to the Phoenix Suns, assistant coach Bryan Tibaldi left for Providence College, and Cleveland Charge G League head coach Chris Darnell bolted for the Sacramento Kings to become an assistant coach.

After being a finalist for Phoenix’s head coaching job, Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant is expected to return to Cleveland.

With several voids to fill, the Cavaliers have interest in adding current Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Jared Dudley as an assistant coach, league sources told HoopsHype.

Dudley played for Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson and assistant coach Trevor Hendry during their time together with the Brooklyn Nets, and he was a teammate of center Jarrett Allen.

League sources say the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns also want to add Dudley as an assistant coach. Ott coached Dudley in Brooklyn, and Carroll was his teammate with the Nets.

Another potential addition under consideration for Cleveland’s staff is Jawad Williams, HoopsHype has learned.

Williams has been an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings and director of player development since 2023. He also was a former Cavaliers player from 2008-11.

You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Blue Sky (@MikeAScotto).