Latest news with #Durant
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Giannis Antetokounmpo's decision could hold up Durant trade, much of free agent market
With 28 NBA teams eliminated from competition, the eyes of many fans have already turned to free agency, the draft, and trades to upgrade their rosters. While the draft is still more than 3 weeks away and free agency a week later, that hasn't slowed the NBA's rumor mill, which is in full swing. However, fans may need to be patient waiting for action. That's because Giannis Antetokounmpo is the first domino that must fall in free agency. He has yet to sit down with the front office (and likely ownership) in Milwaukee and come to an agreement on his future — whatever it might be — and all the other dominoes are on hold waiting for his move. It's something Marc Stein wrote about in his latest Substack missive. 'The expectation persists that Durant will ultimately reach the trade market this offseason, but it might not happen until there is clarity on whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will be staying in Milwaukee or seeking a trade of his own.' The logic here is simple: The teams that might be interested in trading for the 37-year-old next season Durant would much rather be in the mix for the 30-year-old in his prime Antetokounmpo. Those teams will keep their powder dry until Antetokounmpo makes his call, then they will pivot to Durant (or another direction). Don't be so sure Antetokounmpo is going to push his way out of Milwaukee. He probably does, but don't be so sure it's a lock. If the primary goal is to win, he could push for a trade to a place like Houston or San Antonio, where he would instantly make the franchise a contender (and those teams have the players and picks to make an enticing trade). However, that moves Antetokounmpo to the stacked West. If he were hypothetically to join Houston, his Rocket team would have to beat 68-win powerhouse Oklahoma City (which is not yet up against the tax and will run it back), Nikola Jokic and a likely deeper Nuggets team, Luka Doncic and LeBron James (likely with a real center) in Los Angeles, Stephen Curry with Jimmy Butler for a full season in Golden State, a Timberwolves team with Anthony Edwards that has been to two straight Western Conference Finals and is improving, not to mention Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies, James Harden and the Clippers, and on down the line. Antetokounmpo might look at that landscape and decide he'd rather stay in the East, especially one where Boston is without Jayson Tatum for much of the season. However, wherever Antetokounmpo might be traded to in the East — Brooklyn, New York, Toronto, even Cleveland or any other team — the price coming back to Milwaukee would gut his new roster of a good supporting cast. He would essentially be in the situation he is now with the Bucks, an MVP-ballot level player surrounded by not enough to win. If Milwaukee can sell Antetokounmpo on a two-year rebuilding plan, would he stick around? It's a question only Antetokounmpo can answer, and it depends on what is ultimately most important to him. Until he makes that call, the rest of the NBA trade market is on hold.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Previewing the 2025 season for Penn State DT Zane Durant with his player profile
Previewing the 2025 season for Penn State DT Zane Durant with his player profile Going into the 2025 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will examine each player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover the player's background, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season. Penn State defensive tackles Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard departed for the NFL this offseason. Zane Durant had the option to join them, but he decided to return for his senior season as a Nittany Lion. Heading into 2025, he's already widely viewed as one of the top defensive tackles in the sport as he attempts to raise his draft stock. Here's a look at Durant ahead of the 2025 season. Preseason Player Profile Hometown: Lake Nona, Florida Height: 6-1 Weight: 292 lb Class in 2025: Senior Recruiting Rankings Class of 2022: 3-star by 247Sports, No. 50 defensive lineman and No. 41 recruit from Florida Durant was offered by Miami, USC, Tennessee and others as a high school prospect. Career Stats Games Tackles Tackles for loss Sacks Forced fumbles 2022 13 5 1 1 0 2023 13 17 5.5 2 0 2024 16 42 11 3 0 Depth Chart Overview Durant is the one surefire pick to start at defensive tackle, retaining his role after a breakout 2024 campaign. Barring injury, he'll likely be a key piece of the defense looking to make another College Football Playoff run.
USA Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chet Holmgren reflects on 2012 Thunder and what they meant to his childhood
Chet Holmgren reflects on 2012 Thunder and what they meant to his childhood 13 years is an eternity in the NBA. The frequent turnover on rosters and teams makes it nearly impossible for the same cast of characters to be at the same spot during that duration. The Oklahoma City Thunder are a textbook example, as the players who celebrated their 2025 NBA Finals berth are much different from those who celebrated the same achievement in 2012. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden have been recast as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Still, lifelong Thunder fans see the similarities between both iterations. Both were young squads that stormed the league. After a much-needed two-day break, the Thunder returned to the practice facility as they prepare for the 2025 NBA Finals. Chet Holmgren talked to media. After missing three months with a hip fracture that broke his season into two halves, the 23-year-old has played better the deeper the Thunder gets into the playoffs. After OKC clinched an NBA Finals spot, several former players chimed in on social media to congratulate the franchise. Reflecting on the last time the Thunder made the NBA Finals, Holmgren fondly remembers his childhood. Durant's and Westbrook's superstar dynamics put OKC on the national map. The All-Star duo headlined a title contender throughout the 2010s. It shouldn't be a shocker to learn that Holmgren's childhood peers were Thunder fans. They were the mainstream team to pick that rivaled old-school classics like the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. 'It's hard not to think when I was a kid and starting in AAU and late elementary school, all the kids on the team and on the other team were on the OKC bandwagon back then," Holmgren said. "It was the youth's bandwagon.' Fast forward a decade, Holmgren now represents the Thunder. He's developed a relationship with a fellow lanky seven-footer in Durant. Both have spoken glowingly about each other and have spent summer workouts in the same gyms. As Holmgren plays his first NBA Finals, he has a plethora of NBA veterans have can go to for advice. While he kept his cards close to his vest, you can read between the lines that he likely reached out to Durant in these last couple of days. 'I'll say my private conversations are my private conversations," Holmgren said with a smile. Thunder fans might have a toxic relationship with Durant, but that doesn't mean the players have to. If you can go to someone like him for advice, you definitely should do it. Nothing wrong with receiving words of encouragement from one of the greatest players ever.
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Kevin Durant and Paolo Banchero viral training clip sparks Orlando Magic trade speculation amid Phoenix Suns' uncertain offseason
Recent resurfacing footage of Phoenix Suns big Kevin Durant and Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero working out together has sparked debates about a possible blockbuster deal once again. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Though the video is from September 2024, its popular reappearance coincides with rumors that Durant is going to be dealt this summer, so fans and experts conjecture: Could Orlando be an unexpected candidate for the 15-time All-Star? Durant's likely departure from Phoenix intensifies trade rumors The Phoenix Suns finished the 2024–25 season with a disappointing 36–46 record, prompting the firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer and the appointment of Brian Gregory as the new general manager. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, there's a staggering 98% likelihood that Durant will be traded this offseason. Durant, who averaged 26.6 points and shot 52.7% last season, is reportedly in talks with the Suns to explore new team options. Teams like the Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs are on the list of potential new homes. Thanks to its rising stars like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, the Orlando Magic have made some major progress—reaching the playoffs for two straight years. Bringing in a top-notch talent like Durant will not be simple, however. Salary cap concerns abound for the Magic as Wagner and Suggs are expected to bring in $73 million overall after their rookie deals. This financial position might limit Orlando's ability to get big players on the roster without sacrificing depth or letting go of key ones. Originally shared by Banchero on Instagram in September 2024, the workout video showcases him and Durant working out together. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Offseason workouts are a usual thing for NBA players, but the renewed interest in this video has led to speculation about a potential partnership. A frontcourt with Durant, Banchero, and Wagner could make Orlando a powerful offensive force, possibly elevating them to contender status. Also Read: Another take on Kevin Durant potentially joining the Orlando Magic is definitely captivating, but there are some roadblocks that make it a tough sell. The Magic's salary cap constraints and the high cost of landing Durant without sacrificing their young core are big obstacles. However, that viral video has ignited discussions and excitement among fans, proving how wild the NBA offseason can get.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Brian Windhorst reveals how close the Minnesota Timberwolves came to landing Kevin Durant before the 2025 NBA trade deadline
ESPN's Brian Windhorst stated that the Minnesota Timberwolves were just a few steps away from trading for Kevin Durant during the 2025 NBA trade deadline. Unfortunately, the deal did not happen because of problems with the salary cap, especially the second apron rules. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Now that the offseason is here and the team will likely make changes, the Timberwolves can resume their effort to get LeBron James. Minnesota Timberwolves' offseason maneuvers could pave the way for a Kevin Durant acquisition In February 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves made a genuine effort to acquire Kevin Durant, but the fact that both teams were above the NBA's second tax apron made it almost impossible to make a move mid-season. Windhorst highlighted how serious Minnesota was in their pursuit, mentioning, "It became clear to me, in talking to the parties involved, just how serious the Wolves were about trying to trade for Durant at the trade deadline. " Looking forward, the Timberwolves' financial situation might get a boost if key players like Julius Randle and Naz Reid decide to opt out of their contracts. This could potentially lower the team under the second apron, lifting some trade limitations. Windhorst observed, "Getting it done was impossible because they are two second apron teams. But after both of [Randle and Naz Reid] opt out, the Wolves will not be a second apron team. " Tim Connelly's approach involves taking major risks, like getting Rudy Gobert and swapping Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in 2022. He may be in line for a big new deal. If Connelly keeps working with the team, his record suggests he'll make bold trades to strengthen the roster. Durant's future with the Phoenix Suns seems up in the air. Windhorst puts the odds at 98% that Durant will be traded this offseason. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, are said to be working with the Suns to find a new team, and the Houston Rockets are also showing interest. The idea of Durant teaming up with Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is super interesting. They really hit it off during the Paris Olympics, and it seems Durant is considering a move to Minnesota. Also Read: With their past interest in Kevin Durant and some potential salary cap wiggle room, the Minnesota Timberwolves are definitely a team to watch this offseason. By making clever roster choices and having a forward-thinking front office, they could become serious players in the race for Durant.
