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Yahoo
10 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
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kendrick Perkins blames LeBron James, Dwyane Wade for breaking up Thunder Big 3
The post Kendrick Perkins blames LeBron James, Dwyane Wade for breaking up Thunder Big 3 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Former NBA center Kendrick Perkins pointed to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as key influences behind the breakup of the Oklahoma City Thunder's young core, citing conversations from the 2012 Olympics that he believes swayed James Harden's decision to seek a larger role elsewhere. Advertisement Speaking on The Zach Lowe Show ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder's NBA Finals Game 1 matchup against the Indiana Pacers, Perkins shared his perspective on the breakup of the Thunder's Big 3 — Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. 'We could blame LeBron, D-Wade, all those other guys that were on the 2012 Olympics on why the young Thunder Big 3 were broken up,' Perkins said. 'Because they put into James [Harden's] head that he needed to be the man. And they were right though—James did what was best for James.' Perkins added that despite the eventual split, he valued being part of a historically talented group. 'But I will say this: in those times I got to see growth and I got to experience growth, and be part of greatness. Especially when you look at Kevin Durant, when Russell Westbrook went out. His MVP season and what he was doing. How he was playing that point forward.' Kendrick Perkins blames LeBron and Wade for Thunder Big 3 breakup that followed 2012 Finals run The 2011–12 Thunder, led by Durant, Westbrook, and Harden, reached the NBA Finals before falling to the Miami Heat in five games. That Miami team featured James and Wade, who, according to Perkins, played a role in convincing Harden of his star potential during their time together on the Olympic team later that summer. Advertisement Following the 2012 Olympics, the Thunder traded Harden to the Houston Rockets after failing to reach a contract extension. The decision ended one of the league's most promising young trios, all of whom would go on to win MVP awards individually — Durant in 2014, Westbrook in 2017, and Harden in 2018. That Oklahoma City team also included Serge Ibaka and Perkins, forming a core that many believed could contend for multiple titles. The breakup remains one of the most debated what-if scenarios in recent NBA history. Since the breakup, each player has built a decorated career. Durant won two championships with the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double over a full season. Harden developed into one of the league's most prolific scorers during his time with the Houston Rockets. The Thunder, now led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. They will host the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Related: Why Pacers' Aaron Nesmith is ready for SGA after Jalen Brunson battle Related: How Mark Daigneault planted 'seeds' to Thunder's NBA Finals growth
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
‘Perfect role': Zach Lowe bullish on Kevin Durant's fit in Houston
'I just think it's an absolute perfect fit,' veteran NBA media personality Zach Lowe says of the recent trade sending Kevin Durant to the Rockets. Now with The Ringer, longtime NBA media personality Zach Lowe is among many who are optimistic about the fit of All-Star forward Kevin Durant with the 2025-26 Houston Rockets. The future Hall of Famer was traded to the Rockets earlier this week in a deal sending Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and draft capital to the Phoenix Suns. On his latest podcast episode of The Zach Lowe Show, Lowe said: There's something about the VanVleet-Durant-Sengun triumvirate that I really like on offense. I feel like it's just the right mix, for Durant, of guys who can do enough of the creative heavy lifting… but also not so much that he feels relegated to watching another star on his level just dribble all the time. Fred VanVleet will bend the defense, but he also gets off of it, willingly. Alperen Sengun is a super creative, big-man hub. Durant hasn't really played with a player like that, in terms of post-ups and drawing attention. They're both unselfish, and I think he (Durant) benefits them. Particularly Sengun, I think he will benefit from the spacing Durant provides, and having Durant as a kickout option. I just feel like it's the perfect role for him, in that he gets to do a lot, but not too much, and on terms that makes sense for him. And defensively, look, he's 37 (years old), so he's not the same defender that he was. I do think for the first two months of (last) season, he was defending at a top level for his age and ability, and you just wonder how much of the slippage there was just due to the fatigue and malaise, and the whole Phoenix thing just not working. Now he can offload all of those assignments, or many of them, to Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson, and whoever else. They can switch a lot, which can ease the burden of movement. I just think it's an absolute perfect fit. The complete episode can be viewed or listened to below. Co-host Rob Mahoney added kind words for the pairing of Durant and Thompson, in particular. 'I don't know that there are many better fits for Amen Thompson than Kevin Durant, in terms of the spacing and shooting that Durant's game opens up, and how it accommodates all of the delightful, productive weirdness of Amen Thompson's game,' Mahoney said. 'This is kind of like a dream pairing, as far as who I would want on the floor with Amen to facilitate his development.' As things stand, Houston's starting lineup will feature Durant, VanVleet, Thompson, Smith, and Sengun, with Eason, Steven Adams, and Reed Sheppard playing featured roles off the bench. The Rockets are projected by oddsmakers as among the leading championship contenders next season. More: With Kevin Durant in fold, Rockets' odds surge for 2026 NBA Finals
New York Post
17-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
ESPN insider ‘would not rule out' Suns keeping Kevin Durant
There's a scenario where Kevin Durant could stay in Phoenix after all. ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst said Tuesday during an appearance on ESPN Cleveland that the complications surrounding a Durant trade might lead the Suns to hang on to the basketball legend. 'I would not rule out the Suns not being able to get a trade they like and having to make a decision — like, do we not trade him at all?' Advertisement Kevin Durant could be on the move this offseason. NBA E via Getty Images Windhorst said there may not be the right 'alignment' between Durant, his potential suitors and the Suns that leads to a trade. He added that some of the teams Durant wants to go to are 'leery of paying a huge amount for a 37-year-old.' Advertisement Windhorst's comments come after former Spurs executive Kirk Goldsberry said 'San Antonio think[s] the price is too high' for Durant during an appearance on 'The Zach Lowe Show' after Game 5 on Monday night. Also on Tuesday, the Arizona Republic reported that the Suns have 'no leverage' in their trade demands for Durant. Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 28, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NBAE via Getty Images Durant reportedly prefers to be traded to the Spurs, Rockets or Heat and has made it clear he doesn't want to head to Minnesota to play for the Timberwolves. Advertisement The 15-time NBA All-Star is entering the final year of his four-year, $194 million contract. Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists during yet another disappointing Suns season. Phoenix went 36-46, missing the playoffs for the first time in five years. The franchise has won just one playoff series in two and a half seasons with Durant on the roster.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs Think 'Price is Too High' for Kevin Durant Trade: Report
Spurs Think 'Price is Too High' for Kevin Durant Trade: Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The fate of Kevin Durant has been the subject of plenty of discourse already in 2025, and the offseason hasn't even fully kicked off just yet. Advertisement The 15-time All-Star and two-time Finals MVP, 36, appears to be looking for an exit away from the Phoenix Suns sooner rather than later. Under the stewardship of new general manager Brian Gregory and new head coach Jordan Ott, Phoenix appears very open to accommodating a Durant departure. Last year, the Suns went 36-46 and missed even the play-in tournament in the Western Conference. Despite Durant and fellow All-Star Devin Booker being largely healthy, their union with former three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal has been decidedly rockier than anticipated. With Ott in the fold, Phoenix is already now on its fourth head coach in as many years under new owner Mat Ishbia. San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Durant has been linked with the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, and L.A. Clippers as potential trade destinations. Advertisement In a new episode of his must-listen podcast "The Zach Lowe Show," The Ringer's Zach Lowe spoke with colleague Kirk Goldsberry about why the Spurs, for one, appear to be uninterested in making a deal for Durant: the asking price. "I know our friends in San Antonio think the price is too high," Goldsberry said. "The original discussions including the No. 2 pick and/or Stephon Castle are not going very well, I can tell you that." Guard Castle was recently honored as the Rookie of the Year for his efforts in 2024-25. A pairing of Durant — even if he's no longer in his athletic prime and not the defensive force he once was — and young All-Star Spurs center Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt could be uniquely lethal in the Western Conference. Advertisement But San Antonio appears to be too intrigued by the top prospects in this year's NBA Draft (Rutgers guard Dylan Harper is projected to be the No. 2 pick, but his teammate Ace Bailey, Baylor wing V.J. Edgecomb, and Texas guard Tre Johnson are considered the other top contenders) to give up that pick for Durant. Still, until a deal happens, negotiations may not be over. The Spurs do have the No. 14 pick in this year's draft lottery, too, as well as plenty of other intriguing young players like guard Devin Vassell, wing Keldon Johnson and forward Jeremy Sochan. Related: Suns Offered $110 Million All-Star as Centerpiece of Kevin Durant Trade: Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
