Latest news with #NBAMostValuablePlayer
Observer
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
James opts in with Lakers for next NBA season
LOS ANGELES, United States: LeBron James is exercising his $52.6 million player option to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers next season, hoping to challenge for his fifth NBA title, according to multiple reports on Sunday. ESPN and The Athletic reported James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) who turns 41 in December, will be watching the Lakers' off-season roster moves as he prepares for a record-setting 23rd NBA campaign. "LeBron wants to compete for a championship," James's agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN. "He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. "We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him." James, the NBA's all-time scoring leader, has not said whether he sees the 2025-26 NBA season as possibly his last or whether he plans to play longer. He would surpass the mark he shares with Vince Carter for the most career NBA seasons and needs only 50 more contests to break the all-time NBA record for most regular-season games played — 1,611 set by Robert Parish from 1976-1997. James this past week posted a social media video of his first workout since suffering a left knee injury in a playoff loss to Minnesota. James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game for the Lakers last season. He has career averages of 27.0 points, 7.4 assists and 7.5 rebounds. The forward's legacy includes 21 NBA All-Star selections as well as NBA crowns with Miami in 2012 and 2013, Cleveland in 2016 and the Lakers in 2020. — AFP
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
As Dillon Brooks exits, Tari Eason could seize larger role in Houston
'They love Tari Eason there,' ESPN's Brian Windhorst said after the Kevin Durant trade. 'He can be the guy that replaces Dillon Brooks as that key defender.' The Rockets finished the 2024-25 season with a 52-30 record and at No. 2 in the Western Conference standings, so the blueprint of that group is worth following as Houston turns its attention to 2025-26. After this week's blockbuster trade, All-Star and former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kevin Durant will replace Jalen Green as the leading scorer, so that swap should clearly be beneficial to Houston's 2025-26 odds. But what about losing veteran Dillon Brooks, a key defender who shot nearly 40% on 3-pointers last season? That's where fourth-year forward Tari Eason could play an important role. 'They love Tari Eason there,' ESPN's Brian Windhorst said. 'He can be the guy that replaces Dillon Brooks as that key defender.' After being drafted in the 2022 first round, Eason's development was somewhat paused in his second and third seasons due to ongoing issues related to a stress reaction in his lower left leg. He played just 22 games as a sophomore and was unavailable for most back-to-backs during the next season, which limited the 6-foot-8 forward to a total of 57 contests at 24.9 minutes per game. But in 2025-26, two years removed from the stress reaction, the expectation is for Eason to have no restrictions. In addition, the LSU product could have every financial incentive to play well, since his rookie-scale contract will expire after next season (and it's unclear if he will receive a contract extension this offseason). At 24 years old, Eason should be entering his prime NBA years, and the absence of Brooks should give him an opportunity to step into an even larger role. It's up to him to take advantage. In three NBA seasons to date, Eason has averaged 10.3 points (46.6% FG, 34.5% on 3-pointers), 6.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 22.8 minutes. With a long wingspan, relentless motor, and a keen eye for playmaking, Eason remains one of Houston's most active, versatile, and tenacious defenders, and head coach Ime Udoka will likely need to ask even more from him during the 2025-26 campaign. More: Rockets reportedly open to contract talks with Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr.
USA Today
22-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
See Kevin Durant react in real-time to the Rockets trading for him
Kevin Durant was on stage at New York's Fanatics Fest when ESPN's Shams Charania broke the news that he had been traded from Phoenix to Houston. Kevin Durant is joining the Houston Rockets via trade, and the moment it leaked to the outside world (via ESPN's Shams Charania) was a bit awkward for the 15-time NBA All-Star. At the time of the midday Sunday leak, Durant just happened to be on stage at Fanatics Fest in New York, as part of a panel discussion with Taylor Rooks. Hundreds of fans were watching and listening in close proximity. Durant smiled and didn't look too surprised, as he likely had some indication that this news was coming. 'We're gonna see man, we're gonna see,' Durant told the crowd, via Arye Pulli. Houston was reportedly among Durant's most preferred destinations, so he's likely pleased with the outcome. A 6-foot-11 forward, Durant averaged 26.6 points (52.7% FG, 43.0% on 3-pointers), 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last season, and he earned All-Star honors for the 15th time in his Hall of Fame career. The former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) turns 37 years old in September, and his current contract runs through next season. As part of the deal, Houston is sending Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the first round of the 2025 draft, and five second-round picks to Phoenix. More: Rockets trade for Kevin Durant in deal involving Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, draft equity
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Suns ramping up trade calls with Rockets about Kevin Durant, draft equity
The Phoenix Suns are coming off a 36-46 season, and yet the Houston Rockets control their first-round draft inventory in 2025, 2027, and 2029. To say the least, the future outlook for the Suns would be improved if they could somehow regain control of their draft equity. And that's presumably leading to some exploratory trade calls being made. Advertisement Per Kelly Iko of The Athletic: Phoenix is aggressive in pursuit of a) trading Kevin Durant and b) regaining full control of their draft capital starting with the No. 10 pick in next month's draft, team sources said. Since the conclusion of the season, Houston has fielded several calls from Phoenix, who have since gradually lowered their asking price for Durant, those sources said. There is a price where the Rockets would be interested, but with a fear of breaking up their roster for a 36-year-old coming off injury, doubt remains over a deal materializing. The challenge with the Durant component is the salary figure. The All-Star forward will make $54.7 million next season, and Houston would need to send out close to that amount from its own payroll for matching purposes. And if Houston is eating into its player core to that extent for a 36-year-old — even one as elite as Durant, a former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and future Hall of Famer — it's hard to see the Rockets also giving up significant chunks of that Suns draft capital. In turn, that could diminish the appeal for Phoenix. Yet, Iko reports that there is an asset price at which the Rockets would be interested, and presumably they've run the salary matching numbers. Time will tell as to whether Phoenix is willing to go there. Advertisement More: SI's Chris Mannix sees Rockets as most invested Giannis Antetokounmpo trade suitor This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Suns ramping up trade calls with Houston for Kevin Durant, draft picks
Perth Now
03-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
NBA star Steph Curry says he struggles with impostor syndrome
Steph Curry struggles with impostor syndrome. The 37-year-old basketball player is a four-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), an NBA Finals MVP, and a two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP but insisted that he is still "human like everybody" so sometimes has moments of self-doubt. He told CNBC: "I'm human like everybody. "You have doubts about yourself, or you have impostor syndrome at times." Asked if he has impostor syndrome, he added: "At times, yeah." However, Steph - who is married to TV chef Ayesha Curry and has Riley 12, Ryan, nine, Canon, six, and 12-mont-old Caius with her - explained that his idea of "impostor syndrome" is more of a worry that he is doing enough for his loved ones, and if he is maximsing his full potential. He said: "It's an idea of, 'Are you doing everything you can to take care of people that are relying on you?' 'Are you fulfilling your full potential in all different areas that I've set out to do?" Ayesha previously revealed that she has the same struggles when it comes to her own career, which has seen her launch 'Ayesha's Home Kitchen' on FoodNetwork, but has also worked as an actress and recently starred alongside Lindsay Lohan in 'Irish Wish'. She told People: "I have terrible imposter syndrome, and [Steph] is always there to encourage me, remind me, uplift me, me, and be like, 'Hey, what do you need today?' So from that perspective, he's always there and kind of my sounding board. At the time , Steph was promoting her skincare venture and noted that it all took inspiration from "beautiful ingredients" found in her family's native Jamaica. She said: "I felt like what you put in your body you can put on your body, and there has to be some sort of efficacy from all of these beautiful ingredients that come from where my family's from in Jamaica, and so we started to do a deep dive and quickly realized there are a lot of ingredients that aren't mass market right now that are really effective for the skin."
