Day: February 3, 2025

Warriors Believe They Could Still Trade For Jimmy Butler; Also Inquire On Kevin DurantWarriors Believe They Could Still Trade For Jimmy Butler; Also Inquire On Kevin Durant

The Golden State Warriors believe they remain in the mix on a trade for Jimmy Butler, sources told The Athletic on Monday. This follows ESPN’s report on Sunday evening that it had been communicated to the Warriors that Butler was unwilling to sign an extension with the team should they trade for him.

Butler prefers a trade to the Phoenix Suns as they are the team most willing to meet his asking price on an extension. The Suns, however, are limited in their ways of trading for him unless they can find a team to trade for Bradley Beal while he also waives his no-trade clause.

The Warriors have also inquired with the Suns about the availability of Kevin Durant. Durant’s agent, Rich Kleiman, sat next to Joe Lacob at Friday’s game between the Warriors and Suns. They were seen conversing during the game, at halftime and postgame.

It is unclear how open Durant would be to a return to the Warriors, or if the Suns would entertain trading him during this transaction cycle.

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Lakers Kept 2031 Pick Out Of Trade After Not Being Allowed To Speak With Luka Doncic’s AgentLakers Kept 2031 Pick Out Of Trade After Not Being Allowed To Speak With Luka Doncic’s Agent

The Los Angeles Lakers were not allowed to talk to Luka Doncic’s agent, Bill Duffy, before they traded for him on Saturday, sources tell The Athletic. Because the Lakers could not gauge Doncic’s interest in remaining with the franchise long-term, they kept their 2031 first round pick out of their trade package. The Lakers felt trading both of their available future first round picks was too risky without an assurance from Doncic.

The Mavericks weighed that extra pick against the risk of the trade falling apart after word of it spread to Doncic with him potentially becoming disgruntled in the process. Dallas approached one other team on a Doncic trade for another star, but they only engaged with the Lakers on serious negotiations.

Sources tell The Athletic that Doncic is “ecstatic” about joining the Mavericks. Doncic will be introduced to the media on Tuesday morning. Doncic, however, wanted to spend his entire career with the Mavericks, according to sources. The Mavericks could have offered Doncic a five-year, $345 million extension this offseason and by all accounts he would have signed it.

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Kyrie Irving, Mavericks Remain On Course To Sign New ContractKyrie Irving, Mavericks Remain On Course To Sign New Contract

In the wake of the Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Doncic, one question that has come up is how Kyrie Irving feels about losing his star running mate. While Irving hasn’t spoken about the deal publicly, he and the Mavericks remain on course to sign a new contract this offseason.

Irving and Dallas have options for a new contract this summer. Irving could opt in to the final year of his deal, and sign a four-year extension worth up to $266.7 million. Irving could opt out and sign a five-year deal worth as much as $313.9 million.

Since trading for Anthony Davis, reports have been that the Mavericks intend to re-up with Irving. The idea is to build the team for the next several seasons around Irving and Davis.

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