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

The Brooklyn Nets could sign free agent Carmelo Anthony to “appease” Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant has reportedly long wanted to play with fellow NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony. “Melo” played last year with LeBron James and the LA Lakers. He was part of a star-studded team that embarrassingly failed to even make the playoffs.

With KD and the Nets burying the proverbial hatchet, the NBA could see Durant and Anthony playing together. They’ve played together on the US Men’s Olympic team but never as teammates in the pro league.

In Brian Lewis’ report regarding the peaceful resolution to the KD-Joe Tsai standoff, he added news that felt like an afterthought:

“And if they wanted to appease Durant, they could bring in Carmelo Anthony, a move he’s wanted them to make.”

Carmelo Anthony has been playing power forward over the last few years as he no longer has the quickness to roam around the perimeter. He’ll be a solid big in the Brooklyn Nets’ rotation, considering they only have Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe to handle the post.

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The Phoenix Suns never offered a package centered on Mikal Bridges for Kevin Durant

With the NBA’s biggest offseason drama finally over, the smoke of the standoff is also starting to clear. The Phoenix Suns, who were supposedly the top target KD wanted to play for, were left out of the loop following Deandre Ayton’s massive extension.

However, there were persistent reports that the Suns were not giving up, offering Mikal Bridges instead as the major piece in a trade for KD.

John Gambodaro tweeted that was never the case:

“Mikal Bridges was never offered because no formal offer was ever made from Phoenix nor was there a proposal made by the Nets. The Suns simply did not have what Brooklyn wanted - were told several times they did not have what it would take to get a deal done.”

The Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets eventually ended up with the NBA players they wanted. Phoenix, who had the NBA’s best record last season, could still be looking to strengthen the squad after a stinging exit against the Dallas Mavericks.