Kevin Durant is hoping his longtime teammate finds one more NBA home. Appearing on Up & Adams, the Rockets forward said he believes Russell Westbrook deserves the chance to finish his career on his own terms.
“Russ is a legend,” Durant said. “He deserves to be in the NBA right now. I think he deserves to walk out of the NBA on his terms. That would be dope.”
The two starred together in Oklahoma City from 2008 to 2016 and reportedly remain close.
As for a reunion in Houston? Not likely. The Rockets are hard-capped and can’t sign a veteran right now, even at the minimum.
Spoelstra poised to lead Team USA: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is expected to become the next head coach of USA Basketball’s men’s national team, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. A deal hasn’t been finalized, but multiple reports indicate he’s the frontrunner to replace Steve Kerr.
Spoelstra served as an assistant under Kerr at both the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, helping the U.S. reclaim gold this past summer. He would oversee the program through the 2027 World Cup in Qatar and 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Now entering his 18th season with Miami, Spoelstra is the NBA’s longest-tenured coach, with six Finals appearances and two titles.
NBA assistants drawing WNBA interest: There are currently five WNBA head-coaching vacancies, and several NBA assistants are under consideration, per The Stein Line’s Marc Stein.
Teams are targeting coaches with G League experience similar to Phoenix Mercury’s Nate Tibbets, now leading his team in the WNBA Finals.
Former Clippers assistant Natalie Nakase also fits that mold, earning Coach of the Year honors in her first season guiding Golden State’s WNBA franchise.
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