NBA News Roundup, Wednesday, June 12th: Anthony Davis trade could be completed ahead of NBA draft, Kevin Durant free agency update and more

The NBA Finals are currently the talk of the basketball world - although there is no shortage of other stories emerging across the league.

The 2019 draft is just weeks away and teams will be hoping to strike gold by drafting either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis continues to be linked with a blockbuster trade, while a host of stars including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Kemba Walker are about to hit free agency.

So, with plenty happening around the NBA, here are the biggest news stories and rumours you need to know for June 12th.

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NBA Executives still believe that Kevin Durant will secure a max-deal

Kevin Durant went down with an Achilles injury in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Kevin Durant made his much-anticipated return to the court on Monday night, although his comeback lasted just 12 minutes. It is believed that Durant suffered an Achilles tear early in the second quarter, and his absence will have a huge impact on the Warriors' hopes of winning a third straight title.

Durant will hit free agency this summer, and according to ESPN's Bobby Marks, teams won't be deterred by the 2014 MVP's setback:

If you had cap space, would you go out and sign Kevin Durant knowing that he will likely be out maybe the whole year? And the resounding answer was 'yes.' Each of the teams also said that they wouldn't even put any injury language in there for maybe years three and four to protect. So, yes, there will be a marketplace for Kevin Durant this summer, either with a team for four years, $141 million dollars or even back in Golden State here.

During the 18-19 regular season, Durant averaged 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.

Anthony Davis' future could be decided by next week

Anthony Davis looks set to leave the New Orleans Pelicans this summer

Reports earlier this week revealed that the New Orleans Pelicans were finally open to trading Anthony Davis, and Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders believes a deal could be completed next week:

The New Orleans Pelicans have started to field calls and offers on forward Anthony Davis. The prevailing thought from teams who have tried to engage in a deal is that the Pelicans would like closure as soon as it’s practical, with most believing closure will come around the draft.

League sources say that more than half of the league has logged interest in obtaining Davis for themselves, and while the teams most commonly linked to Davis – New York, Brooklyn, the LA Clippers and Lakers – appear to still be in the hunt, there are a lot of conversations taking place.

Davis has spent his entire career with the Pelicans but requested a trade back in January due to the organisation's inability to compete.

Paul George has second operation

Paul George struggled with injury during the playoffs

Paul George struggled with a shoulder injury during the second half of the season, and the 29-year-old had surgery on his right shoulder following the Thunder's first-round playoff exit. And, ESPN is reporting that George has now had a second procedure on his left shoulder:

Thunder All-Star Paul George had a procedure to repair a small labrum tear in his left shoulder. George had surgery to repair a partially torn tendon in his right shoulder about a month ago. It was announced at that time that he would have the additional procedure at a later date. Both shoulders hampered him in the final two months of the season. His timetable for recovery remains the same, and his status will be evaluated before the start of the upcoming season.

During the 18-19 season, George averaged 28.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and he is a finalist for the NBA's Most Valuable Player.