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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Team Who Pursued Kevin Durant Trade in February 'Unclear' on Offseason Pursuit
Team Who Pursued Kevin Durant Trade in February 'Unclear' on Offseason Pursuit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Phoenix Suns were a walking disaster in 2024-25. Despite having Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the team missed the playoffs and didn't even qualify for the play-in tournament. Advertisement The Suns fired Mike Budenholzer as head coach after just one season. Frank Vogel was fired by Phoenix after one season, too. He was hired in 2023 and fired in 2024. Future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant and the Suns are widely expected to work together on a trade this offseason. Durant, 36, has one year left on his contract. He has won only one postseason series with Phoenix. Durant turns 37 in the fall. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Suns this season. According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Minnesota Timberwolves aggressively pursued Durant at the February trade deadline. Phoenix Suns star Kevin DurantRick Scuteri-Imagn Images However, it's unclear if Minnesota will attempt to trade for Durant again this summer. Advertisement "How do the aforementioned Timberwolves factor into a potential Durant trade chase? Unclear at this juncture," Stein wrote. "The Wolves undeniably had significant interest in Durant in February when Phoenix unexpectedly made him available. Question is: Have they identified greater needs in the wake of a five-game playoff exit to Oklahoma City in the West finals?" The Timberwolves lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference finals in five games. Durant and Anthony Edwards are close. They were teammates on Team USA last summer. Edwards has said multiple times that Durant is his favorite player of all time. Durant has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He's a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP, a one-time MVP and a four-time scoring champion. Advertisement Durant doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, so the Suns can trade him anywhere. Related: Brian Windhorst Drops Bold Kevin Durant Trade Prediction on Wednesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Details on Kevin Durant-Timberwolves Trade Rumors Emerge Sunday
New Details on Kevin Durant-Timberwolves Trade Rumors Emerge Sunday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It has been well-documented that the Minnesota Timberwolves attempted to acquire Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns at the February NBA trade deadline. Advertisement Durant and Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards were teammates on Team USA last summer, helping the United States win the gold medal. Edwards has said multiple times that Durant is his favorite basketball player of all time. Minnesota's attempt to trade for Durant in February didn't work, even though the Timberwolves contacted an Eastern Conference team to help facilitate a deal, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. 'League sources say Minnesota indeed made serious trade inquiries for Durant before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, contacting at least one Eastern Conference club about functioning as a facilitator to help two luxury tax teams that had strayed beyond the second apron combine on a massive in-season maneuver,' Fischer wrote. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35)Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images The Suns, who missed the playoffs this year, are widely expected to trade Durant this offseason. KD has won only one postseason series since getting traded by the Brooklyn Nets to Phoenix in 2023. Advertisement Durant turns 37 in the fall. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Suns this season while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from 3 and 83.9% from the free-throw line. A future Hall of Famer, Durant has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He's a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP, a one-time MVP and a four-time scoring champion. It will be intriguing to see if the Timberwolves try to trade for Durant again this offseason. Related: Team Who Pursued Kevin Durant Trade in February 'Unclear' on Offseason Pursuit This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox Sports
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 NBA Finals MVP odds: Can Gilgeous-Alexander pull off MVP trifecta?
The NBA regular-season MVP will look to pull off the double dip in the Finals. Oklahoma City and Indiana are set to face off in this year's NBA Finals, after each team somewhat breezed through their respective playoff matchups, with both going 12-4 so far in the postseason. Now, the Larry O'Brien Trophy is on the line, as well as the Bill Russell Finals MVP award. Will league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander complete the MVP sweep? Let's check out the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 1. 2025 NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: -600 (bet $10 to win $11.67 total) Tyrese Haliburton: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total) Pascal Siakam: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total) Jalen Williams: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Chet Holmgren: +7500 (bet $10 to win $760 total) Myles Turner: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) SGA is heavily favored to take home the hardware, not only because he is the league MVP, but because his Thunder are heavily favored to win the Finals, at -700. Only once has a player won Finals MVP while playing on the losing team: the Lakers' Jerry West in 1969. In NBA history, 10 players have won both regular-season MVP and Finals MVP. That list includes LeBron James (2012, 2013), Tim Duncan (2003), Shaquille O'Neal (2000), Hakeem Olajuwon (1994), Michael Jordan (1991, 1992, 1996, 1998), Magic Johnson (1987), Larry Bird (1984, 1986), Moses Malone (1983), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1971) and Willis Reed (1970). As noted, Jordan accomplished the feat four times, the most in league history, followed by James and Bird, who both did it twice. However, SGA does have a chance to make some history this year. He could become the first player in NBA history to win regular-season MVP, Western Conference finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP. The Earvin "Magic" Johnson Trophy (West finals MVP) and Larry Bird Trophy (East finals MVP) have only been in existence for four years, meaning the likes of Jordan, Abdul-Jabbar and others from the list above (everyone except James) never had a chance to win it during their playing days. Nikola Jokić came closest to pulling it off in 2023, when he won Western Conference finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP. However, Joel Embiid won regular-season MVP that year. As for other names on the oddsboard, Pascal Siakam was named Eastern Conference finals MVP, meaning he still has a chance to win two MVP awards in one season if his Pacers can pull off the upset — or, if he goes Jerry West-mode. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Just unbelievable' – Pascal Siakam gives candid reaction after winning 2025 Eastern Conference Finals MVP as Indiana Pacers punch ticket to the NBA Finals
Pascal Siakam. Image via: AJ Mast/ AP Pascal Siakam added another chapter to his postseason legacy Saturday night, leading the Indiana Pacers back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. The veteran forward was named the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals MVP after helping the Pacers close out the New York Knicks in six games. Siakam powered Indiana to a 125-108 win in Game 6 with a game-high 31 points, putting the finishing touch on a breakout series that saw him dominate both ends of the floor. Pascal Siakam steps up as the Indiana Pacers eliminated the New York Knicks The Larry Bird Trophy found a deserving home in Pascal Siakam's hands after a standout performance. Siakam averaged 24.8 points over the six-game series, shooting 52.4 percent from the field. His 39-point explosion in Game 2 stood out as a high mark, but it was his 31-point effort in the Game 6 clincher that sealed both the win and his MVP nod. 'mvP. Pascal Siakam has been named Eastern Conference Finals MVP and the recipient of the Larry Bird Trophy,' Indiana Pacers posted a tribute for their veteran. This moment marks a full-circle journey for Siakam, who helped the Toronto Raptors win the title in 2019. While Kawhi Leonard took home MVP honors that year, Siakam now owns one of his own. "Shoutout Indy, man. It's been such an amazing experience for me so far. From the first day I landed here, the love has been amazing. Just unbelievable, man. First-class organization. I'm just so happy to be here. And tonight, after a bad Game 5, we wanted to bounce back. I have, like, 100% belief in my teammates. Whenever we're down, we always find a way. And we did that tonight, Siakam said on the TNT broadcast after he received the award. The MVP voting reflected just how close this Pacers team has been. Siakam edged out teammate Tyrese Haliburton in a 5-4 media vote split. Siakam earned support from reporters, including Tim Bontemps (ESPN) and Fred Katz (The Athletic), while Haliburton picked up votes from Reggie Miller (TNT) and Joe Vardon (The Athletic). Also Read: New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers (05/31): Box score, player stats, game summary and more Now, with the Pacers headed to Oklahoma City for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, Siakam is locked in once again. He enters the series with the third-best odds to win Finals MVP, behind only Haliburton and Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards Draws Epic Comparison to Dwyane Wade
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Three-time All-Star Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards, still just 23, has had quite the run recently. The 6-foot-4 Georgia product has led his club to the playoffs across the last four of his five pro seasons, only missing out as a rookie in 2020-21. Edwards has guided the Timberwolves to two consecutive Western Conference Finals berths for the first time in franchise history. Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates during the second half in game one of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on April 20, 2024 in Minneapolis,... Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates during the second half in game one of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on April 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. More Photo byNow, Edwards has drawn a heady, Hall of Fame comparison from his most senior Timberwolves teammate. One-time All-Star starting Minnesota point guard Mike Conley, 37, believes that Edwards' game has a lot in common with that of 13-time All-Star Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade, writes Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson for Heat Nation. Ant Edwards & Dwyane Wade's game mirror says Mike Conley Jr. 'I think his game is more like a D-Wade mix… the way he gets into the paint, wiggles around in there while being unbalanced, finishing & defending the rim.' 🔗 My latest via @HeatNationCom ➡️ — 👑 Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson (@ScoopB) May 29, 2025 "I think his game is more like a D-Wade mix... the way he gets into the paint, wiggles around in there while being unbalanced, finishing and defending the rim," Conley said of Edwards. Edwards has often been considered akin to Wade with an outside shot, an athletic, two-way swingman who can serve as a lead ball handler and scorer. As Conley notes, both stars are terrific finishers around the cup. More Minnesota Timberwolves News: Timberwolves Get Major Update on Julius Randle, Naz Reid Future "So it's like it's Ant all to himself and it's D-Wade, you know?" Conley said. "Because his body and the way he gets in the paint, wiggle around in there being unbalanced and finishing and defending the rim." Both players also happen to be the same size, and boast similar athletic profiles. Wade, of course, led his Heat to the NBA Finals and a championship during just his third pro season, although he had logged two NCAA seasons at Marquette to Edwards' one at Georgia. Eventually, Wade wrapped up his 16-year pro career (he spent parts of 15 seasons in Miami) with five NBA Finals appearances, three wins, and one Finals MVP award. He logged averages of 22.0 points on 48 percent shooting from the field and 76.5 percent shooting from the foul line, 5.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds. He was an eight-time All-NBA honoree and a three-time All-Defensive Teamer. The Timberwolves are crossing their fingers that Edwards can enjoy similar success and land the franchise its first-ever title. During the regular season, Edwards averaged 27.6 points on .447/.395/.837 shooting splits, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks. In the playoffs, Edwards notched respectable averages of 25.3 points on a .453/.354/.719 slash line, 7.8 boards, 5.5 dimes, 1.1 swipes and 0.7 rejections More Minnesota Timberwolves News: Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards Makes Bold Declaration Following Brutal Game 5 Loss NBA Champion Says Timberwolves Should Target This Anthony Edwards Co-Star For more Minnesota Timberwolves and general NBA news and rumors, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
