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👟 Grizzlies Join the Kevin Durant Sweepstakes

👟 Grizzlies Join the Kevin Durant Sweepstakes

Chris Lesiak
August 23, 2022

The Grizzlies are reportedly interested in Kevin Durant, Tyler Herro wants to run it back with the Miami Heat, and Kyrie Irving could end up staying put in Brooklyn.

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KEVIN DURANT

The Grizzlies are Reportedly Interested in Kevin Durant

The Memphis Grizzlies have reportedly gotten in on the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Memphis has made “new inquiries” to the Nets but “do not appear inclined” to deal their young star players Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane in a deal. Instead, Memphis is hoping to use its treasure trove of five first-round draft picks to get a deal done.

While Kevin Durant joining an explosive young core in Memphis led by Ja Morant would make for can’t-miss TV, it’s unlikely the Nets would accept an offer of just picks. The Nets don’t control their first-round picks until 2028, as a result of the ill-fated James Harden trade, and therefore have no reason to tank.

While it remains to be seen if Memphis will up their offer, it seems likely they would have the blessing of Ja Morant to try and get something done. On the day KD’s trade request was first made public, Morant tweeted “easy money,” a clear nod to KD’s Instagram handle, easymoneysniper.

TYLER HERRO

Tyler Herro Wants to Run it Back with the Miami Heat

Tyler Herro has been at the center of several trade rumors this summer, from Kevin Durant to Donovan Mitchell, but he’s made it known he would like to stay in Miami.

Herro recently sat down for an interview with Jake Paul, presumably to promote their new sports betting venture, Betr. When asked what he’d do as the GM of the Heat, Herro said: “I would run it back. I think that’s what we’re doing. We brought everyone back, and we were one game away from the Finals. So, I would run it back.”

The Heat have stayed mostly intact this offseason, retaining Victor Oladipo, Dewayne Dedmon, and Caleb Martin, but most notably losing P.J. Tucker to the 76ers. Herro is coming off his best year as a pro, where he won the NBA's Sixth Man of The Year award after averaging 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He also shot a career-best 44.7% from the field and 39.9% percent from three.

KYRIE IRVING

Kyrie Irving Could Be Staying Put in Brooklyn

There have been multiple credible reports regarding Kyrie Irving’s future with the Nets, and it seems less and less likely that he’ll get traded. Part of the reason, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein, is that the Nets aren’t looking to ship Irving out for future assets.

Stein said: “they apparently want win-now talent in return to part with Irving, despite all of the turmoil that has engulfed the Nets for months." Stein also noted in his reporting that this Irving trade stance could change in the wake of a potential Kevin Durant deal.

This sentiment was echoed by Shams Charania, who added that he believes the Nets are planning to keep Irving in Brooklyn. Charania reported that sources tell him Irving has “been working out with teammates and holding constructive dialogue with the organization this offseason.” Given Irving’s trade value is so far apart from his skill set and on-court production, it’s understandable the Nets would opt to keep him, despite the difficulties the two sides have had in the past.