NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Kevin Durant Trade Market, Donovan Mitchell, More

The NBA offseason is still young, but there have already been some big trades. And there could be even larger ones on the horizon.

So far, the most notable trade was the deal that sent Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a package of players and draft picks. Among the other key players to have switched teams are Malcolm Brogdon (the Indiana Pacers to the Boston Celtics) and Dejounte Murray (the San Antonio Spurs to the Atlanta Hawks).

But with names such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook and more continuing to swirl in trade rumors, some major moves could be on the way.

Here's some of the latest trade buzz from around the league now that the NBA offseason is in full swing.

Nets Not Thrilled with Trade Offers for Durant

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant during the second half of the opening basketball game of the NBA play-in tournament against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in New York. The Nets defeated the Cavaliers 115-108. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Kevin Durant has made it known that he wants to be traded from the Brooklyn Nets, and it seems that the team has been shopping the 33-year-old forward on the market. But there appears to be a reason why no deal has taken place.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Nets aren't thrilled with the offers they've received for Durant thus far. That's even been the case with one of the teams that Durant had on his reported wishlist.

"It’s somewhat known in the NBA that Durant prefers going to the Phoenix Suns, and the Suns' offer, what they have to offer right now, just isn’t that interesting to Brooklyn," Windhorst recently said on NBA Today. "Brooklyn is interested in other things."

Windhorst also noted that ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and others have indicated it would likely take a third or fourth team in a deal in order to get Durant from Brooklyn to Phoenix.

NBA reporter Marc Stein shared that Brooklyn has privately maintained it "won't trade Durant unless it gets a package in return that starts with a blue-chipper like New Orleans' Brandon Ingram or Toronto's Scottie Barnes." Stein noted the Nets are looking for larger returns than the Jazz and Spurs got in exchange for Rudy Gobert and Dejounte Murray, respectively.

So for now, it seems that Durant trade conversations may be at a standstill. But there's still plenty of time this summer for that to change.

Mitchell to 'Stand Pat' in Utah After Gobert Trade

AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) brings the ball up court in the second half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The Jazz received a large return when they dealt Gobert to the Timberwolves last week. In exchange, they got Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro and four first-round draft picks.

But Utah also lost a star player. And the move created uncertainty surrounding the status of Donovan Mitchell. Could the Jazz also consider trading the 25-year-old guard, who has been an All-Star three times over his first five NBA seasons?

According to a recent report by Windhorst, Mitchell may not be going anywhere—for now, at least.

"After the Gobert trade, there was a belief that maybe Mitchell would be next, and maybe at some point he will be," Windhorst said on ESPN's Get Up. "But for now, the Jazz are telling people they don't intend to trade him, and on Mitchell's side, he's going to stand pat. He's not going to force any action right now."

If that's the case, then Utah may rely even more on Mitchell, who will be the team's clear top star with Gobert no longer in its lineup.

Rockets Declined Multiple Trade Offers for Gordon on Draft Night

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 4, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Eric Gordon has been featured in plenty of trade rumors in recent weeks, and it appears the Houston Rockets have had numerous opportunities to deal the 33-year-old guard. They've just chosen not to do so.

The Athletic's Kelly Iko reported that the Rockets received trade offers for Gordon "from no less than six teams before the draft." Gordon was almost traded on the night of the draft, per Iko, and the Philadelphia 76ers were "presumed to be the landing spot before talks ultimately fell apart."

According to Iko, the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns were among the other teams that proposed offers for Gordon, with each willing to give up a first-round draft pick. But Houston turned each down.

If the Rockets weren't willing to part with Gordon for any of those trade packages, then perhaps he'll remain with the team for the 2022-23 campaign. He's been in Houston for the past six seasons, and he continues to be a key contributor.

However, there's plenty of time for suitors to up their offers, so perhaps the Rockets will change their mind down the line.