"He's got to be extremely angered" - Skip Bayless thinks Adam Silver was livid with the KD trade taking spotlight away from Game 7
"He's got to be extremely angered" - Skip Bayless thinks Adam Silver was livid with the KD trade taking spotlight away from Game 7 originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Rivalry and tension between certain NBA players and veteran media members have been brewing for years, but Skip Bayless's animosity toward stars like Kevin Durant seems to exist on an entirely different level.
On a recent occasion, the 73-year-old analyst went as far as accusing KD of intentionally trying to steal the spotlight away from his former team. Right before the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder squad was about to experience the most significant moment in their history—winning the 2025 championship—the news about the Houston Rockets snagging Durant went out, which Skip believes frustrated him and even Commissioner Adam Silver.
Leading up to Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, reports had already begun circulating that Durant was certain to be on his way out of Phoenix in the initial days of the offseason. While his destination wasn't certain, it was almost expected that Kevin could be the first of many players to be traded.
However, for Bayless, the fact that the news broke just before the tip-off of a title-deciding game wasn't just poorly timed. To him, it exposed KD's insecurity and unwillingness to let the spotlight shine on the franchise that he once led.
Skip even raised a conspiracy theory about how Adam would be as frustrated as he, especially when the league had two deserving teams battling it out on the grandest stage. Still, Kevin dominated the pre-game headlines.
"I'm now convinced that Kevin Durant pushed to have his trade to Houston announced or leaked to upstage Game 7 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City, where, of course, he began his career. Adam Silver doesn't like major moves being announced during the Finals. Not only does he frowns on it (but) he's got to be extremely angered by what happened on Sunday afternoon," Bayless said. "
That' Kevin bleepin' Durant, guy that operated burner accounts, the most thin-skinned, oversensitive superstar I've ever closely observed. I think Kevin couldn't stand that the Thunder were about to win a championship (that) he failed to win," he added.KD addressed the trade during his appearance at Fanatics Fest, making it clear that he'd been aware of a trade to Houston but wasn't sure when it would be announced. Moreover, Kevin's reaction was subtle but telling — relieved more than anything to start a new chapter. Put simply, rather than hijacking the media headlines, the two-time NBA champion appeared to finally have clarity about his future.
However, for naysayers like Bayless, who rarely miss a chance to scrutinize stars or float conspiracy theories, this situation was just another excuse to paint Durant negatively. For someone as emotionally invested in OKC's journey all year long as Skip was, the news of KD's trade breaking around the time of the Thunder's crowning moment felt like an unnecessary distraction that robbed the team of its deserved spotlight, and he is surely letting the veteran know about his disdain of the moment.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rumor: Steelers offered Watt new deal — but not Myles Garrett money
T.J. Watt's contract dilemma just took another unexpected turn, as longtime sportswriter Mark Kaboly reported that the belief is the Steelers have presented a contract offer to Watt — just not one that he'd sign. Kaboly recently explained on his podcast with co-host Chris Mack what he believes the holdup might be: Advertisement "I'm under the belief that there is a contract offer on the table right now — which is pretty significant. However, it's probably not what [Watt] thinks it is." Mack clarified that the deal isn't "Garrett money," to which Kaboly responded: "Yes. I'm not one hundred percent sure on that, but it's not like they're offering him, you know, $15 million and 'Hey, you're playing for the Steelers, so take it right now.' There is an offer on the table." It was previously rumored that Watt was seeking to surpass Garrett's $123.5 million in guaranteed money. This is no easy feat to accomplish, as the Browns edge rusher more than reset the market — he practically destroyed it. Advertisement For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers offered T.J. Watt a new deal — but issues remain, per Kaboly
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pep Guardiola singles out Manchester City star for praise after Juventus drubbing
Erling Haaland was at the receiving end of some special praise from manager Pep Guardiola after netting his 300th career goal in Manchester City's 5-2 thrashing of Juventus in the FIFA Club World Cup. City finished their group-stage campaign in style as goals from Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Savinho helped Guardiola's men take revenge on the Old Lady, who got the better of the Blues in the UEFA Champions League group-stage last term. Advertisement Manchester City seem to have their mojo back since arriving in the United States after a disappointing and uncharacteristically trophyless season, which saw the Blues finish third in the Premier League, exit the UEFA Champions League at the Round of 16 stage and lose the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace. However, the ship seems to have turned and the course is now being led by newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana, who has spearheaded City's transfer business this summer since taking over from Txiki Begiristain. City have secured the arrival(s) of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki in June, laying down an early marker to signify their intent to challenge for all trophies next term as they plan for life beyond Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne was not given a new contract as he approached the closing months of his most recent deal at the Etihad Stadium, with the 34-year-old joining Napoli on a free transfer after agreeing a two-year deal with the recently-crowned Serie A champions. Advertisement Guardiola has been given a new lease of life with a quartet of new signings as well as a major shuffle in his coaching staff, with Pepijn Lijnders and James French joining in as assistant and set-piece coaches following the departures of Juanma Lillo, Carlos Vicens and Inigo Dominguez. Manchester City have enjoyed a perfect run in the Club World Cup so far and have progressed to the Round of 16 after topping their group, where they will face Al-Hilal as they seek to go all the way and secure a much-needed piece of silverware to kick off the 2025-26 campaign. Haaland was in amongst the goals against Juventus as the Norway international latched onto a Matheus Nunes cross and tapped the ball into an empty net to grab the 300th goal of his career – a remarkable feat for a 24-year-old forward playing in the best league in world football. Launching praise on his talisman after the midweek rout of Juventus, Guardiola said: 'All I can say is congratulations, scoring 300 goals at 24 years old, this is quite good right? Advertisement 'Hopefully he (Haaland) can do it, this manager now, his manager was an incredible football player. You are too young, you didn't see me, but I scored 11 in 11 years, imagine that situation! 'I admire a lot the good strikers. I'm so happy for Erling (Haaland), for his goal again and being involved in the short spaces. It was really good.'
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Steelers, T.J. Watt receive contract update — and it could be bad news for Myles Garrett
T.J. Watt may soon become the NFL's highest-paid defender — at least that's what insider James Palmer is hearing. On Wednesday, Palmer provided an update on Watt's contract negotiations with the Steelers — and it could spell bad news for Myles Garrett's historic four-year, $160 million deal (courtesy of Bleacher Report): Advertisement "I'm hearing there's a chance Watt gets past [$40 million]," Palmer said. "Which is something we're really keeping an eye on, right? If he gets that $40 million a year, at the age he is at, he has every right to ask for it. I've talked on here a lot about the comparison between him and Myles Garrett. The numbers are almost identical in every aspect. … [Watt] has the right to try and get that." It's been speculated that Watt is seeking to surpass Garrett's guaranteed money of $123.5 million, but if the Steelers defender can usurp the throne for highest-paid defender as well, it's just another feather in his cap over the Browns defensive end. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' T.J. Watt could surpass Myles Garrett's $40 mil, per insider
