Latest news with #ZachLowe
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2 days ago
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NBA Insider States Who The Heat Should ‘Prioritize' Getting This Offseason
NBA Insider States Who The Heat Should 'Prioritize' Getting This Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a recent discussion on "The Zach Lowe Show," NBA insider Zach Lowe emphasized that the Miami Heat should prioritize acquiring younger talent over veteran players like DeMar DeRozan this offseason. Advertisement Lowe specifically highlighted Jonathan Kuminga as a prime target, suggesting that the Heat should focus on players who can contribute long-term rather than short-term fixes. "I think the Heat would be smart to prioritize like a Johnathan Kuminga, like a younger guy, ahead of a DeRozan," Lowe stated, indicating a strategic shift towards building a sustainable future. The Heat's recent playoff exit against the Cleveland Cavaliers underscored the need for a scoring wing, a role that DeRozan could fill. However, Lowe's advice points to a broader vision, where the Heat leverage their assets to secure promising young players like Kuminga, who could pair well with the team's core of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Jan 12, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) dribbles during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at United Center.© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images This approach aligns with the Heat's history of developing talent and could help them avoid the pitfalls of short-term gains. Advertisement Lowe's comments come at a time when the Sacramento Kings are also in flux, with DeRozan potentially on the move. The Heat's interest in younger players like Kuminga could reshape their roster, focusing on future competitiveness rather than immediate impact. Kuminga, coming off a season in which he averaged 15.3 points per game across 47 contests, has shown he possesses the offensive versatility that the Heat are desperately in need of. As the offseason unfolds, Lowe's insights suggest a clear path for the Heat: prioritize youth and potential over experience. Related: Bill Simmons Praises Heat For NBA Draft Pick, Signals Big Push at Jonathan Kuminga This Summer This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
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NBA Insider Hints Lakers May Be Forced To Meet Dorian Finney-Smith's Terms
NBA Insider Hints Lakers May Be Forced To Meet Dorian Finney-Smith's Terms originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers are approaching a crossroads with veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith, and according to NBA insider Zach Lowe, the power dynamic might be shifting in Finney-Smith's favor. Advertisement Speaking on The Zach Lowe Show, Lowe laid out a fascinating scenario regarding Finney-Smith's upcoming player option decision and the strategic leverage his camp holds. "He has a fifteen-million-dollar player option for next year. I said on a previous podcast, boy, would I love to be Dorian Finney-Smith's agent because I get to do some real agenting." "It's like, you traded real stuff for me. I'm a three-and-D wing. Luka likes me. Luka's played with me in Dallas. You need me on this team. I think that we're coming up against his player option deadline in a couple of days." "What I meant by that was it would be fun to sort of use the leverage that I thought I would have over the Lakers, as his agent, to get a nice long-term deal at a decent rate to lock me in for the rest of my career, the rest of my prime, whatever, if I'm Dorian Finney-Smith." Advertisement "I'm very interested to see what comes of this situation. Does he just opt in and they can't reach a deal? Is that actually what the Lakers maybe want? Maybe we don't want to pay eighty million over the next five years or whatever for Dorian Finney-Smith." "Maybe we want him to opt in, and then we can sort of make a decision in a year, one way or another. Does he dare to opt out and test a market that just isn't there with cap room, other than Brooklyn basically and maybe one other team, but we'll get to them, and I don't think they'll actually have cap room? Just something I'm watching for." The Lakers gave up D'Angelo Russell (a former All-Star on an expiring contract), prospect Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to acquire Finney-Smith and reserve guard Shake Milton from Brooklyn. Though the outgoing package may not seem enormous, it represented real value, particularly for a Lakers team already short on flexible assets. With that price tag in mind, L.A. can't afford to lose Finney-Smith for nothing. Advertisement The Lakers now face a critical deadline. Finney-Smith has until Sunday to decide whether to opt into his $15 million contract for the 2025–26 season. If he declines, he'll become an unrestricted free agent on Monday. The Lakers would then have the option of offering a fresh four-year deal worth $90.2 million. However, if he opts in and waits until after the free agency moratorium lifts on July 6, the team could offer him the largest possible extension: four years, $96.5 million. At 32, Finney-Smith may not light up the scoreboard; he averaged just 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in a limited offensive role, but his value lies in elite defense, floor spacing, and switchability. In today's NBA, those skills command a premium. And with the Lakers already scrambling to solve their center problem, losing a premier 3-and-D wing would create another major hole. There's also the Luka Doncic factor. Sources say Doncic wasn't thrilled when Dallas traded Finney-Smith in the Kyrie Irving deal, and the two have remained close. Advertisement Now that Luka is with the Lakers and still adjusting to his new surroundings, upsetting him by letting his trusted former teammate walk could risk future chemistry, or worse, contract tension. Finney-Smith, by all accounts, has made it clear: he won't take a pay cut. With minimal cap space across the league, especially outside of Brooklyn and one or two other teams, the Lakers might believe they can call his bluff. But the stakes are high, and as Lowe hinted, Finney-Smith might just have enough leverage to force L.A.'s hand. If they want to stay competitive and keep Luka happy, they may have no choice but to pay up. Related: Bold Trade Idea Brings A Center And Wing To Lakers; Win-Win Scenario For Rob Pelinka This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
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Kevin Durant trade rumors: NBA insider floats Boston Celtics as 3rd team
Where Suns star Kevin Durant ends up in the coming days or weeks is the big early question of the offseason. Phoenix has reportedly been aggressively shopping the future Hall of Famer in hopes of finding a deal ahead of next week's 2025 NBA Draft. Thus far, it sounds like the Suns aren't interested in the trade packages being offered. So with the draft coming up, NBA insider Zach Lowe floated over Durant being connected to the Celtics, but not necessarily with the All-Star ending up in Boston. Lowe made his recent comment on his podcast Friday. Advertisement 'The focus for me is on Jrue Holiday,' Lowe said. 'I've heard that there have been at least very broad discussions of three-team, Durant-related trades where Jrue Holiday is (included). I think these could be conjured by Phoenix in hopes of getting a deal done, more-or-less, where Jrue Holiday moves somewhere. Just like he was the shrapnel in the (Damian Lillard) trade and ended up in Boston.' Now, before Celtics fans get excited about that possibility of trading for Durant, Lowe clarified his comments later on social media. It wasn't necessarily that Durant would end up in Boston, but more Holiday's contract could be used to make any trade work. So the Celtics would be the third team in this trade but not necessarily involved in landing Durant. 'One clarification here (because) we rushed at end -- when I mentioned the very broad idea of 3-team trades involving Jrue Holiday + KD, I meant to indicate KD would go to the third team in those deals (i.e. maybe a team on his list) -- and NOT to Boston,' Lowe wrote on social media. 'The Celtics are NOT looking to trade for KD. I don't think such a 3-team trade is really in the ether anyway. Thought this would be obvious but should have stated more clearly.' Obviously, that's a big detail when it comes to the Durant trade rumors involving Boston. The Celtics have been linked to Durant in the past, but it doesn't make much sense for them in their current form. The C's are retooling considering Jayson Tatum's ruptured Achilles tendon will keep him out for the majority of next season, if not all of it. Advertisement Durant has reportedly given the Suns his preference of three teams in the Spurs, Heat and Rockets. But Phoenix has remained unimpressed by potential returning trade packages. Other teams like the Timberwolves have thrown their names into the Durant rumors, but Durant himself doesn't seem too interested in ending up in Minnesota. Durant, 36, still showed he can be one of the best players in the league. But with his age and considering he only has one season left on his contract, some teams are shying away due to the potential long-term implications of trading for him. More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
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Zach Lowe drops firm take on Trae Young's future with Hawks
The post Zach Lowe drops firm take on Trae Young's future with Hawks appeared first on ClutchPoints. Trae Young's future with the Atlanta Hawks continues to be up in the air after the team's underwhelming seasons. However, NBA analyst Zach Lowe believes they should remain committed to the All-Star guard. Advertisement Young has led the Hawks to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2021 to 2023. His playoff debut was a major success, taking Atlanta to their first East Finals since 2015. However, they haven't maintained that level of play, exiting the first round in 2022 and 2023 while falling short in the play-in tournament for the last two years. Despite the Hawks' inability to get back in the conversation as a serious contender, Lowe wants the franchise to continue with Young as their cornerstone. 'I kind of want the Hawks to keep Trae Young long term. I don't think there's a great market for him. So I don't think there's a trade out there that completely just reorients the franchise in a positive way,' Lowe said on his show. 'If I can extend him at a decent number, I just kind of like their team, and I do think he'll change his style of play a little bit. I think there's hope for like a Trae Young mid-career, metamorphosis is too strong of a word, but I could see, like, in a year, it's like, 'oh my god, the Hawks are like, up 2-1 in the second round, and Trae Young is moving off the ball a little bit'…like I could see it.' What lies ahead for Trae Young, Hawks Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Trae Young continues to impress with his high-level shooting and playmaking ability. It's just a matter of whether the Hawks can maximize their ceiling with him being the leader. Advertisement This past season was a career year for him when it came to passing the ball. After 76 games, he averaged 24.2 points, a career-high 11.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. He shot 41.1% from the field, including 34% from beyond the arc, and 87.5% from the free-throw line. The Hawks will be busy this offseason, especially with Young. The guard has two years remaining on his contract, with the 2026-27 season being a player option. In other words, what happens in the 2025-25 campaign might play a big impact on how Young decides to approach his situation with the franchise. Atlanta also has Clint Capela, Caris LeVert, Larry Nance Jr., and Garrison Matthews as free agents this summer. It's clear that the roster may look somewhat different next season, so fans should be in for a treat for what their team does to strengthen their squad. Related: NBA rumors: Hawks join Pistons as Myles Turner free agency suitor Related: Hawks hire Pelicans, 76ers execs to work with new GM
Yahoo
17-06-2025
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Timberwolves' 3-Time All-Star Linked as Centerpiece in Possible Kevin Durant Trade
Timberwolves' 3-Time All-Star Linked as Centerpiece in Possible Kevin Durant Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams most interested in trading for superstar Kevin Durant, which also renders them among the most likely landing spots for the future Hall of Fame forward. Advertisement Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe on the June 12 edition of "The Bill Simmons Podcast" named the Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs as the two franchises with the most buzz in NBA circles with regards to a Durant trade this summer. Both of the longtime league insiders dubbed the Spurs as the more likely destination given San Antonio's viable trade assets -- both in terms of current players and draft picks. However, Ian Begley of SNYtv authored an X report on Saturday, June 14, that supports a version of a Durant deal that might favor Minnesota. "One thing worth noting on potential Kevin Durant trades: there are important Suns voices who want to add a starting-caliber [center] this offseason," Begley wrote. "There are several pathways to do this, but KD trade obviously gives PHX the clearest path to one. As many others have said, MIN is among teams with current interest in Durant. Nothing has changed for me with the Knicks and Durant, despite the reported interest earlier this week. Still see it at as a long shot that Durant ends up in NY." Advertisement Lowe noted the combination of Phoenix Suns superstar Devin Booker and Gobert as "a thing" during his appearance on Simmons' podcast Thursday. Gobert is a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-Star who has been a big part of two consecutive trips for the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals. He averaged 12 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game last season at the age of 32. Meanwhile, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game during his age-36 campaign with the Suns in 2024-25. Related: Kevin Durant To The Timberwolves Is Topping Zach Lowe's "Buzz" Rankings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
