NBA News Roundup, Wednesday, September 11th: Update on Bradley Beal's future, Kevin Durant rules out a return to the OKC Thunder and more

The 2019-20 NBA season is just over six weeks away, and the new campaign is gearing up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory after a terrific off-season. The likes of the LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Utah Jazz have all made big moves, while the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons remain on the hunt for improvements.

Veteran free agents such as Carmelo Anthony and Kenneth Faried also remain available, and there could be plenty of movement in the final few weeks before the new season. So, with plenty going on, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for September 11th.

#1 Washington Wizards not looking to trade Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal has spent his entire career with the Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards were among the worst performers in the Eastern Conference last season, and the situation is unlikely to improve this season with John Wall set to miss the entire campaign. Nevertheless, general manager Tommy Sheppard told CBS Sports that the team is not thinking about trading Bradley Beal:

Brad is without a doubt a core player in this league. Every team would love to have him, and we do. So we’ve never considered anything other than a situation where Brad is with us and leading us forward.

Beal has spent his entire career with the Wizards, and last season, averaged 25.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting 48% from the field. Beal is a two-time All-Star, and the Miami Heat are among the teams that have been credited with an interest in signing him.

However, it looks like the 26-year old guard will stay in Washington for the upcoming season, an it remains to be seen whether they can stake a claim for a playoff spot in the absence of Wall.

#2 Kevin Durant rules out a return to the Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant has ruled out a return to the franchise he left in 2016

After spending his rookie year with the Seattle SuperSonics, Kevin Durant followed the franchise to Oklahoma City in 2008. With the Thunder, Durant established himself as one of the NBA's best players and took home the MVP award in 2014.

However, Durant reached the Finals just once during his time with the Thunder and left for the Golden State Warriors during the 2016 free agency. While some had backed Durant to make an eventual return to Oklahoma City, the 30-year-old told The Wall Street Journal that he will never return due to how the franchise handled his exit:

I'll never be attached to that city again because of that. I eventually wanted to come back to that city and be part of that community and organization, but I don't trust nobody there. The organization, the GM, I ain't talked to none of those people, even had a nice exchange with those people, since I left.

After moving to Golden State, Durant won back-to-back titles with the Warriors. However, his third season was marred by rumors of unhappiness, and the All-Star opted to leave for Brooklyn in free agency.

#3 Goran Dragic believes the Heat improved during the off-season

Goran Dragic is expected to play an important role with the Heat

The Miami Heat have undergone a summer of change with Hassan Whiteside and Josh Richardson among those to have left. However, the franchise pulled off an unlikely sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler, and Goran Dragic believes the Heat are a better team heading into the 2019-20 season:

We lost two players (Josh Richardson and Hassan Whiteside), but I feel like now more playing time is going to get more guys, like Bam (Adebayo) and Tyler Herro, he’s really a great rookie. I was watching him in summer league. And of course, with the addition of Jimmy Butler, I think we’re a better team.

Dragic himself was almost traded during the opening week of free agency, although his move to the Mavericks fell apart due to miscommunication. He is now expected to play an important role as the Heat attempt to return to the playoffs after missing out last season.