Latest news with #Durant
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs' Harrison Barnes cut off from answering question amid Kevin Durant trade rumors
The post Spurs' Harrison Barnes cut off from answering question amid Kevin Durant trade rumors appeared first on ClutchPoints. During a community event in Austin, Texas, San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes met with the media. Upon getting asked about his possible inclusion in a potential trade for Kevin Durant, a Spurs media relations employee shut down the question before the reporter could finish it. Advertisement 'No, we're not doing any trade talk. Sorry,' the team's staffer interrupted. It followed a question that comes in the midst of reports that Durant wants to be in San Antonio. 'How does it feel to be involved in trade talk…' Multiple reports have indicated the Spurs are willing to offer several players, including Barnes, and their 14th pick in this month's NBA Draft for Durant. Those same reports, along with speculation, suggest the Phoenix Suns are looking for more. Harrison Barnes faces trade question On behalf of the Harrison and Brittany Barnes Community Fund, the veteran forward helped unveil a newly renovated basketball court at a Boys & Girls Clubs location in the state's capital city. Austin is approximately an hour away from San Antonio by car. Advertisement When Spurs players do such events, usually in the Alamo City, it's common for them to take basketball-related questions as well. But in the rare cases that the player's name is involved in contexts the franchise would rather avoid, the Spurs media staff has limited related questions. The Spurs have been linked to Durant for several weeks now. Because San Antonio is reportedly his preferred landing spot, the organization isn't throwing the kitchen sink at the Suns in a trade proposal. Truth be told, they wouldn't even if KD hadn't reportedly stated he wants to play in the Alamo City. The future Hall-of-Famer will be 37 years old when next season starts. The Silver and Black don't have the intention of trading the second overall pick in the draft and, thus, the chance to add Dylan Harper, nor do they want to part with Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. Harrison Barnes and Kevin Durant history At 33 years old and, admittedly, probably not part of the Spurs young core, rumblings indicate Barnes is a piece the Spurs are willing to part with in exchange for Durant. Advertisement It wouldn't mark the first time Barnes would be replaced by KD. The former North Carolina standout left the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016 after the Dubs signed Durant. Golden State, which won a championship with Barnes, added two more with the one-time Oklahoma City Thunder star, and there is a chance history could repeat itself this offseason. Related: Kevin Durant trade offer Spurs must make to Suns to seal deal Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo trade grades for ESPN's Spurs-Bucks proposal
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why the Spurs made right decision to pass up on Kevin Durant trade
The post Why the Spurs made right decision to pass up on Kevin Durant trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. After offseason reports indicated that the San Antonio Spurs were Kevin Durant's preferred destination, the future Hall-of-Fame forward okayed a trade to the Houston Rockets. San Antonio was unwilling to include this summer's second overall draft pick and NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle in any deal for Durant. Advertisement Reports indicate they were also unwilling to part with either a future first-round pick or forward Jeremy Sochan. That is where the true debate lies regarding whether the Spurs should've pulled the trigger. It's fair to ask whether the Silver and Black should've given up a third-year forward who has yet to put up the type of production you might expect from a ninth overall pick and/or a future pick, considering they have several over the next five-plus years. But what should settle the debate is Durant, as in what he's done or hasn't done over the last several years. Kevin Durant wouldn't have automatically translated to success Durant's Phoenix Suns failed to make the playoffs this past season. That's despite also featuring another player who's currently probably among the ten best in the league, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, who, despite some struggles, still averaged 17 points per game in 2024-2025. With that same core the year before, the Suns were swept in the first round. The season before, they lost in the second round. Advertisement These results came two years after the Suns reached the NBA Finals in 2022 and won 64 games in 2022-'23. In other words, the Suns were worse after they acquired Durant through a trade highlighted by four unprotected first-round picks, a 2028 first-round pick swap, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Jae Crowder. Was it all Durant's fault? Of course not. But, it's noteworthy because he teamed with Booker, then Booker and Bradley, with a franchise that had recently come within two wins of an NBA championship and then won 64 games. If his Phoenix teams armed with established stars didn't make long playoff runs, would a Spurs squad centered on a still-blossoming Victor Wembanyama, a recently acquired De'Aaron Fox, and a young, but still raw, Castle? Some may include Dylan Harper in that mix. And that's precisely the reason San Antonio doesn't want to part with the pick that should lead to the former Rutgers star. But, as a rookie, will he affect winning at a substantial mark? The answer to these questions is probably 'no,' which gives more reason for the franchise to focus on its future. Advertisement That the Spurs hold two first-round picks in this draft represents the norm for GM Brian Wright and company. In addition to the second and fourteenth selections this month, they have two more next offseason, two each in 2028, '30, and '31 to go along with first-round picks in '27 and '29. Include second-rounders, and they have 33 selections over the six drafts following this summer's. With all that in the fold, the Spurs didn't see the need to trade for a player who hasn't elevated a team to true contending status since his days with the Golden State Warriors. The 37-year-old left the Bay in 2019. Results haven't followed him since. Related: Spurs rumors: San Antonio targeting ex-1st rounder with Victor Wembanyama connection Related: Fans hit Skip Bayless with Spurs receipts after bizarre 22-minute Thunder video
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Heat rumors: Zach Lowe praises Kevin Durant trade decision
The post Heat rumors: Zach Lowe praises Kevin Durant trade decision appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Miami Heat were among several teams engaged in trade talks for Kevin Durant before the Phoenix Suns dealt the 36-year-old forward to the Houston Rockets. Despite having the assets to potentially outbid Houston, Miami opted to hold firm in negotiations — an approach that NBA analyst Zach Lowe supported during a recent episode of The Zach Lowe Show. Advertisement Lowe praised Miami's decision not to pursue Durant at all costs, noting that the organization likely went through internal reflection before deciding against a full-throttle push. 'I think the Heat doing that is a very look-in-the-mirror moment for Pat Riley that was probably difficult,' Lowe said. 'You know Pat Riley wants to go for it, and you know that the Heat could beat the offer that eventually got Kevin Durant. And I think calmer winds prevail.' Miami's reported reluctance to include rookie big man Kel'el Ware or other key young players became a sticking point in negotiations. While Durant remains one of the league's most efficient offensive weapons, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 52.7% shooting during the 2024–25 season, questions about his durability at age 36 factored into the Heat's stance. Advertisement 'It's not going to be good enough,' Lowe continued. 'They like all of us watched these playoffs… the depth, the ferocity, the toll it takes on your body and just asked themselves like, 'can we depend on 38-year-old Kevin Durant surviving those playoffs healthy… while playing high-level basketball that this team stripped of its depth is going to need him to play,' and they just said no. And I don't blame them for that decision at all.' Heat refused to include key young players and picks in Kevin Durant trade Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports The Rockets ultimately acquired Durant in a deal that included Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round selections. ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reported that Miami's final offer featured Andrew Wiggins and the No. 20 pick, though Phoenix opted for the more aggressive package from Houston. Advertisement 'Their best offer stood with Andrew Wiggins and the 20th pick in this year's draft headlining the deal. Phoenix opted for the 10th pick package.' Additional reporting from ESPN's Shams Charania noted that the Heat declined to include Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, and multiple picks together in any single proposal. 'The Heat made multiple offers for Durant but ultimately turned down the opportunity to place Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, the No. 20 pick and other draft assets all together in a deal, sources said.' Miami, which was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs after securing the No. 8 seed via the Play-In Tournament, now shifts its focus to alternative trade targets. The franchise continues to evaluate upgrades around Bam Adebayo while maintaining flexibility with its young core. Advertisement Durant's move to Houston alters the competitive landscape in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Heat's decision to prioritize long-term sustainability over a high-risk superstar gamble has drawn measured praise as the offseason unfolds. Related: Heat makes Davion Mitchell contract move ahead of free agency Related: NBA rumors: Lakers check in with Heat on Andrew Wiggins trade
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Draymond Green sees Fred VanVleet, Kevin Durant as good cultural match in Houston
Draymond Green on the pairing of Kevin Durant and Fred VanVleet with the Rockets: 'Certain things that KD doesn't like to do, Fred will do that. In team sports, that's how it's supposed to work.' Warriors veteran Draymond Green has plenty of experience playing alongside Kevin Durant in Golden State, and he's also faced off against Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet in multiple high-leverage, competitive series in the NBA playoffs. With that knowledge, Green envisions the veteran pairing of Durant and VanVleet working well in Houston. From his latest podcast (The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis): Shoutout to Freddy V, he got a new two-year deal to stay with the Rockets. Well deserved, the way I saw him lead that team in the playoffs. They're going to need his leadership. I think with Fred's demeanor and how Fred goes about things, and with KD and how KD goes about things… I think it'll be a good match. Some of the stuff that (Kevin) doesn't want to do, people try to make it an indictment on his character. No. We're all human beings, and we all have strengths and we all have weaknesses. Certain things that KD doesn't like to do, Fred will do that. On a basketball team in team sports, that's how it's supposed to work. So, I think this puts them in a really good position. They're obviously going to be a team to be reckoned with. That team is in a really good position, and I definitely think it (the Durant trade) is an upgrade. Green and the Warriors got the best of the Rockets in the first round of the recently completed 2025 playoffs. But the series went a full seven games, even with (now departed) Jalen Green struggling, and VanVleet was likely Houston's best player. Now, with Durant playing alongside VanVleet in that top-scorer role, the Rockets would seem to be more formidable for any potential rematch. As for the leadership and cultural angles, Green's comments largely mesh with the sentiments of ESPN's Tim MacMahon. On Thursday's First Take, MacMahon said the Rockets simply need Durant to focus on what he does best. That's being an elite scorer and producing at an All-Star level, which he continued to do last season at 36 years old. 'This is not a team that has a leadership void,' MacMahon said in a discussion regarding whether Durant needs to be more of a vocal leader with the Rockets. 'This is a team that has a phenomenal culture. They're tough, they're nasty. They need freaking buckets, and Kevin Durant can supply those in bunches.' In short, the Rockets were 52-30 and No. 2 in the Western Conference in large part because of their leadership and culture. What they needed was simply more shot making to revive a halfcourt offense that largely struggled throughout the 2024-25 season. That's what VanVleet and head coach Ime Udoka want Durant's help with during the 2025-26 campaign, which begins in October. More: ESPN's Tim MacMahon: Buckets, not leadership, is what Houston needs most from Kevin Durant
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Andrew Wiggins to Lakers Trade Report Surfaces After Kevin Durant News
Andrew Wiggins to Lakers Trade Report Surfaces After Kevin Durant News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There have been no indications that the Los Angeles Lakers will get their hands on Kevin Durant this offseason. However, that doesn't mean they won't be involved in a deal. The Lakers don't need Durant, but they need reinforcements for next season. Advertisement A Durant trade could get that for them in a multi-team deal. The latest intel from NBA insider Jake Fischer revealed who the top-two teams are that are currently vying for Durant, writing, 'Things are obviously fluid at this stage, but the two teams most frequently cited as potential landing spots for Durant entering Saturday's business, league sources say, were Minnesota and Miami.' Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35).© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports If the Heat pull the trigger on Durant, and the Suns' main priority in a deal is to save money, Phoenix could reroute what the Heat send them for salary-matching purposes. That's where the Lakers could pounce. Andrew Wiggins is among the most likely candidates the Heat would send out to get Durant. As it turns out, Wiggins was named a potential trade candidate for the Lakers. On Saturday, Jovan Buha of The Athletic said Wiggins is a player the Lakers could realistically acquire. Advertisement "Looking at the current market, (Nicolas) Claxton and Wiggins are probably the best realistic players the Lakers could get for each of their two big holes," Buha said. Buha added, "If you can get Claxton as your starting center and Wiggins as your starting three, and you still have LeBron, Austin, and Luka, I really like that starting five together." Not long after this report, ESPN's Shams Charania revealed Durant would sign a longterm agreement with Miami, the San Antonio Spurs or Houston Rockets if he landed with one of those three teams. This further intensified the buzz around Durant and the Heat, which could also impact Wiggins' future. Advertisement Related: Austin Reaves Turns Heads With LeBron James Message Related: WNBA Sends 3-Word Caitlin Clark, LeBron James Message This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
