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All-NBA caliber players become available quite often in the NBA nowadays, with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement dictating how teams can spend money and acquire players. Kevin Durant is just the latest example of a valuable asset that can be turned into a fresh start for a team looking to shed salary.
The Clippers’ offseason:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 12, 2024
— Resigned James Harden
— Extended Ivica Zubac
— Signed Mo Bamba
— Signed Derrick Jones Jr.
— Signed Nicolas Batum
— Signed Kevin Porter Jr.
— Traded Westbrook for Dunn
— Lost PG to Philadelphia
How many wins this season? pic.twitter.com/E5otVSynZ8
In the 2024 offseason, the Los Angeles Clippers were in the same predicament with their star forward Paul George. His asking price fluctuated, but with the salary cap ramifications, with aprons and tax lines meaning as much as ever, they chose to let him test free agency and sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Now, the Suns are faced with a decision on their superstar, Kevin Durant. It is clear that the two sides are heading towards parting ways through trade, but the packages that are coming through do not seem to match what the Suns are looking for.
The Phoenix Suns reportedly have ‘no leverage’ in Kevin Durant trade talks and may have to reduce their high asking price, per @DuaneRankin
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2025
“The Phoenix Suns may be placing too high a value on Kevin Durant and might have to reduce their asking price in negotiating a trade,… pic.twitter.com/eyskoVThWW
With the Clippers still among teams interested in trading for the 15-time All-Star, one major piece could be the dealbreaker in a potential trade, according to Matt Moore, NBA writer for Hardwood Paroxysm.
"The Clippers trading Zu would be a catastrophic mistake unless it’s for a Giannis-level asset. He’s a top-level center on both ends who doesn’t need the ball. Do you know how valuable that is right now," Moore said on his Substack.
Moore's new report details that the Clippers interest in Durant could just be a smokescreen, saying, "I have a feeling the intel I’ve heard on the Clippers might be outdated. They might have circled right after the season and then dropped out, but it was interesting to see other outlets pick up their interest after I reported on it last week."
Ivica Zubac had a significant leap in the 2024-2025 season, becoming one of the best centers in the league. He averaged 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game while earning NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors and was widely considered a strong candidate for the Most Improved Player award, despite not winning.
More must-reads:
- Dylan Harper injures calf, leaves arena in walking boot
- Cooper Flagg responds to his critics amid early career struggles
- The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Ja Morant suspension could be beginning of the end of guard's Grizzlies run
Are the Memphis Grizzlies and star point guard Ja Morant headed toward a divorce? On Saturday, one day after the two-time All-Star sounded off on the Grizzlies coaching staff following a 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2), Memphis suspended Morant one game "for conduct detrimental to the team," according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. Ja Morant, Grizzlies union already strained weeks into 2025-26 season After building an 69-55 halftime lead over Los Angeles, Memphis (3-3) collapsed in the second half. Morant, who finished with eight points on 3-of-14 shooting, only scored two points after halftime. Following the game, he failed to take accountability for his poor performance, instead pointing the finger at Grizzlies coaches, telling reporters, "Go ask the coaching staff." Less than 24 hours later, the Grizzlies levied their punishment. The tense exchange is the latest in what's becoming a potentially toxic situation. The Grizzlies have long stood by the mercurial talent despite Morant previously being suspended twice by the NBA for recklessly brandishing firearms. At a certain point, Morant won't be worth the headache. It could be tipping in that direction already. Through six games, Morant, a career 46.8 percent shooter, is at 40.6 percent. He's shot below 40 percent in four of his six games and is an unsightly 15.6 percent from three-point range while averaging a career-low 28.5 minutes per game. If the Grizzlies, under first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo, struggle to compete in the stacked Western Conference, it might be best to explore a Morant trade and gain assets for a rebuild. Perhaps the suspension will be a wake-up call for Morant, but it could just as easily fracture an already-fraught relationship.
The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
The Dallas Cowboys offense has been one of the most explosive units in the NFL this season, but they struggled in their 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos in 8. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for just 188 yards – his fewest since Week 1 against Philadelphia – finishing without a touchdown and two interceptions just one week after dicing up the Washington Commanders. The good news for the inconsistent Cowboys is that they’re 2-0-1 following a loss this season and their Week 9 opponent is the 2-5 Arizona Cardinals on "Monday Night Football." They’ll also be tasked with stopping Jacoby Brissett rather than Kyler Murray, who is recovering from a foot sprain and won’t start for Arizona but could get some action according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Which brings us to today’s quiz. Prescott has been mostly brilliant for the Cowboys this season, throwing 16 touchdowns to five interceptions and 258.8 yards per game. He’s also one of 37 NFL players to average at least 230 passing yards per game through their career. With that being said, how many of those players can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Steelers' Undrafted Free Agent Rookie Could Help Influence 2026 First-Round Decision
Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten quality quarterback play in 2025 with Aaron Rodgers, they still need to search for a future face of the franchise. Rodgers is almost 42 years old and close to retirement. Even if he does play another season, it will be good to have a first-round pick behind him to learn and develop in a way that even most coaches can't do. If Pittsburgh has to trade up to get a quality option, the front office has to stop delaying the inevitable and take a shot at a young gun. Just because Ke'Shawn Williams is an undrafted rookie for the Steelers, that doesn't mean that he can't help with a scouting report. After his final year in college, he worked with recent transfer Fernando Mendoza during offseason training, as well as Williams' Pro Day. He spoke with reporter Brian Batko about what he has seen in the Indiana Hoosiers' star. "It’s just his ability to do everything," Williams said. "He can make the throws, he’s very mobile, he has a lot of experience, very smart leader, a good person — all the intangible things you want out of a quarterback, somebody to come in and potentially lead your group...He’s got my vote, for sure." After transferring from the California Golden Bears to Indiana, Mendoza has lit the college world on fire. He currently leads the FBS in touchdown passes through eight games, and it's not like Indiana has had an easy schedule either. He has gone up against two Top 10 teams in the country and led the Hoosiers to victories in both contests, including a road upset against the Oregon Ducks. Indiana is now the #2 team in the country, only behind conference rival Ohio State Buckeyes. If Mendoza and the Hoosiers keep this up, the two teams will face off in the Big 10 conference championship game, where the winner will have the top seed in the College Football Playoffs and get a first-round bye, while the loser would have to play in the first round. This amazing 2025 performance has put the 22-year-old junior near the top of the quarterback rankings of the 2026 draft class. He is currently favored to win the Heisman Trophy as well. Depending on how he does in this last month of football and in the playoffs, he may even be out of the Steelers' reach, as he could easily be the first overall pick. Even if he falls outside the Top 5, it may be worth it for the Steelers to make a trade to get him. Steelers Are Likely Underwhelmed By Everyone Else It goes without saying that outside of Mendoza, most draft-eligible quarterbacks have completely bottomed out in the 2025 season. It's so bad that the Steelers may consider skipping out on drafting a quarterback in 2026 if they can't land Mendoza. If that is the case, the price to trade up in the 2026 NFL draft may rise up as well. Of course, the Steelers overall have not played great football, and there is a realistic chance that they end up drafting higher than they usually do. Obviously, nobody in that organization has any desire to tank, but a sub-par season for Pittsburgh standards could put them in a better position to go and get their guy. What is there to lose at this point? Despite Williams' scouting report on Mendoza, it's not set in stone that General Manager Omar Khan will do everything he can to try and draft the Indiana star. However, that inside information will still be helpful in the long run, especially Khan believes his testimony lines up with the tape at all. The undrafted receiver is not the deciding vote, but he could give a little nudge to help sway the Steelers towards selecting him.
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald gives unwelcome injury update for two starters on defense
Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks routed the Washington Commanders on “Sunday Night Football” by a score of 38-14. The Seahawks paid a price for their efforts, however, losing two key players on defense to injury. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV suffered a knee injury and cornerback Josh Jobe suffered a concussion. Speaking after the game, head coach Mike Macdonald gave updates on Jones IV and Jobe, with both likely to miss next week's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. “So, Ernest has a bit of a knee [injury],” Macdonald said to the media after the win on Sunday. “We'll figure it out. I don't know. It's not season-ending, but we'll see how it goes. Who was the other one? Josh? Yeah, so, concussion. He's in the protocol, so we'll see how that goes too.” [Macdonalded added on if Jones will possibly miss multiple games,] “Yeah, there's a chance. I'll give you a timetable immediately. [laughs]. We'll see.” The Seahawks are in a tough predicament ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline Losing two of their top starters on defense, the Seahawks could make a move to add depth to their linebacker core and secondary with the trade deadline looming. The Seahawks are tied with the Los Angeles Rams (6-2) for the lead in the NFC West, with the San Francisco 49ers (6-3) lurking just behind them, so two key injuries are particularly concerning. Linebacker Chazz Surratt sits behind Jones IV on the depth chart and would be an immediate option to plug in his absence, but he has done little to impress this season, having 10 total tackles, three solo tackles and no sacks through eight games. The Philadelphia Eagles snatched up two of the top corners on the market in Michael Carter II from the New York Jets and Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens, but the Seahawks could look to the Saints and trade for Alontae Taylor, who would upgrade their secondary. Taylor has posted 44 total tackles, 29 solo tackles and four pass defenses so far this season. Second-year cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett would be the next man up to play in place of Jobe. He's posted nine tackles (seven solo) this season. NFL Insider Dan Graziano identified cornerback as a position of need heading into the trade deadline even before the Jobe injury, so an upgrade could be in order ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.
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