There are several teams who are expected have interest in a Kevin Durant trade this offseason as the Phoenix Suns will likely work together on his exit. The Suns have had a disappointing pair of seasons since adding Bradley Beal to their star core of Durant and Devin Booker.
While the Golden State Warriors were among the most notable teams to pursue a trade for Durant at the deadline, there was a number of other teams with interest that might be more mutual in the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, reports Shams Charania.
“Back at the NBA trade deadline in February, Minnesota, Miami, New York, San Antonio and Houston were among the team, I’m told, there was mutual interest between Durant and those teams,” said Charania. “I expect those teams and potentially other to be back in the fray this summer.”
Durant will be eligible for a two-year, $120 million extension this coming offseason. Durant is on an expiring contract and will be have at least some modicum of control over the process.
Glen Taylor has agreed to move forward with his sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx to the Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez group at the same $1.5 billion price the side agreed upon in 2021. Taylor will not appeal an arbitrators’ ruling from February that ruled in favor Lore-Rodriguez in a dispute over the sale contract.
The NBA has initiated the transfer process and will conduct a board of governors vote.
Lore and Rodriguez initially agreed to purchase the team from Taylor in 2021 in a three-part sale. The first two tranches, totaling 36% of the teams, changed hands for about $500 million as planned.
Over the past six weeks, the Lore-Rodriguez group and Taylor held discussions and came to an agreement to finalize the deal.
Taylor, 83, purchased the Wolves in 1994 for $94 million, saving the team from a possible relocation to New Orleans.
The future of Tim Connelly was tied to a transfer of ownership with Lore’s group expected to sign him to an extension once they take control.
Here’s everything you need to know about Carmelo Anthony’s college career at Syracuse.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a comfortable lead over Nikola Jokic in ESPN’s final MVP straw poll for the 24-25 season. Gilgeous-Alexander claimed 77 of 100 first-place votes and had 931 total points, while Jokic received the other 23 first-place votes and had 769 total points. Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic had all 200 of the first-place and second-place votes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished third with 53 third-place votes, 37 fourth-place votes and five fifth-place votes. Jayson Tatum had 41 third-place votes, 51 fourth-place votes and five fifth place votes.
Donovan Mitchell finished fifth with a comfortable lead over LeBron James and Cade Cunningham.
Barring an unforeseen end to the season, Gilgeous-Alexander will win the first MVP of his career, while Jokic will finish first or second in MVP voting for the fifth straight season.
Ross Hodge is the new coach for West Virginia, but before heading there, Hodge led his last North Texas team as far as it could go in the NIT.