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The Golden State Warriors attempted to reunite Kevin Durant with Stephen Curry before the trade deadline but were unsuccessful. The Warriors were stopped short of completing a deal by Durant himself, who expressed a desire to not head back to the team where he won two championships.
Steph Curry and Kevin Durant discussed a possible Warriors reunion
However, Curry attempted to do some of his own recruiting to bring back Durant. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst, the two future Hall of Famers spoke about a potential reunion, but Durant quickly shut down the idea.
“Durant told him that it didn’t ‘feel right’ and that this ‘wasn’t the time’ to revisit their basketball partnership, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the conversations,” Shelburne and Windhorst wrote. “That he was happy in Phoenix and wasn’t looking to play elsewhere.”
Durant would have been a huge boost for the Warriors
Durant has been with the Phoenix Suns for the past two and a half seasons, as he was traded there in 2023 after spending the previous three seasons with the Brooklyn Nets. Even at age 36, he is still playing at an MVP level with 26.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 39 games this season.
Durant and Curry together would have once again made Golden State a feared foe in the West. Currently, the Warriors have been struggling this season with a 25-26 record. After missing out on Durant, they quickly pivoted towards Jimmy Butler, who they were able to acquire from the Miami Heat in a five-team blockbuster deal and then subsequently signed to a two-year, $121 million extension.
As for Durant, he will remain in Phoenix for the rest of the season as they will also look to make up some lost ground in the Western Conference.
More must-reads:
- Luka Doncic played role in recruiting Marcus Smart to Lakers
- LeBron James proposes an intriguing NBA change
- The 'Most NBA games played' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Bulls Executive Gets Honest On Josh Giddey's Contract Negotiation
The Chicago Bulls have a promising future, with an All-Star caliber backcourt in Josh Giddey and Coby White, as well as promising young wings in Matas Buzelis and recently drafted Noa Essengue. However, the problem lies in the long-term future of this roster, with Giddey still a restricted free agent after several weeks of free agency. Giddey had a strong end of the season, averaging 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists while leading the Bulls to a 12-7 record in his final 19 games of the season. After being acquired last offseason for Alex Caruso, the deal has seemed to pay off for both sides. However, a new contract has yet to be signed, as a Bulls executive got honest on the situation. "We want to get a deal done with Josh. He’s as important of a player as we have," a Bulls executive told Keith Smith of Spotrac. "We see him as a foundational player for us. I hope we can find a deal that makes sense for us and him and that we’ll be together for a long time.” Based on reports, it appears as though Giddey and his camp are seeking a deal closer to $30 million annually, in the range of Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs. However, the Bulls are looking to strike a deal closer to $20 million, which could put him in the same range as someone like Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter or even Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels. It's a bad summer to be a restricted free agent, as has been the case for Golden State's Jonathan Kuminga, Brooklyn's Cam Thomas, Philadelphia's Quentin Grimes, and, of course, Giddey. There's no telling how long all of these players' contract negotiations will last, but no teams out there have the cap space to extend them offer sheets.
Maple Leafs continue to play moneyball: Three big names in play
With Mitch Marner’s move to the Vegas Golden Knights closing a major chapter in Toronto, GM Brad Treliving made a series of moves to replace his production. He might not be done. Three may be even bolder moves on the horizon. We’ve heard the names Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf before. However, the Maple Leafs are actively fielding and exploring trade scenarios as they look to reshape their roster — and according to Nick Kypreos, a handful of intriguing names are emerging in trade chatter: Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, and former Leafs fan-favorite Nazem Kadri. The most surprising name still generating buzz is Rielly. Despite being a longtime cornerstone on Toronto’s blue line, his $7.5 million cap hit and no-move clause complicate matters. Yet with the team needing help up front, and possible interest in offensive defensemen like Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson, Rielly could become part of a larger plan if he’s open to waiving. Also surprising is the talk surrounding Carlo. A recent addition to the Leafs’ defense corps, he is already being talked about behind the scenes as a potential trade piece. If he were made available, there is interest around the league, as the 6-foot-6 shutdown defender has a team-friendly cap hit and strong penalty-killing ability. Trading Carlo could get the Leafs a top-six forward. Finally, reports on the availability of Kadri remain conflicting. Some say he’s not available, while others suggest that the Calgary Flames would consider the idea. The former Maple Leaf would be a welcome addition back to Toronto, but there isn’t much of a reason for the Flames to trade him unless the return is outstanding. Kadri reportedly would consider waiving his no-move clause for a reunion. That said, getting a deal done won’t be easy, especially with Montreal also rumored to be on his short list. Whether any of these deals come to pass or are just pure speculation, one thing’s sure: the Maple Leafs aren’t standing still. Treliving is trying to get his roster to score more goals. He seems willing to entertain any idea and play Moneyball with the roster if it will help.
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ties franchise record with HR vs. Twins
MLB's midseason break was kind to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani. On Wednesday, the three-time MVP tied a Dodgers franchise record with a home run in his fifth consecutive game, taking Minnesota Twins right-handed starting pitcher Chris Paddack 441 feet to centerfield on an 0-2 79 mph curveball in the bottom of the first inning. Ohtani entered the All-Star break with 32 home runs but had just two in his 12 previous games before beginning his current streak. He's appeared in 101 of L.A.'s 103 games, putting him on pace for 159 games this season. If Ohtani continues at his home run trajectory, he'll set a personal record for single-season home runs, breaking the record he established last season, his first with the Dodgers. Per ESPN Bet, Ohtani (-1800) is an overwhelming favorite to be named NL MVP for the second consecutive season. With every home run hit, his odds of receiving a fourth overall MVP award likely increase. Also helping Ohtani's case is his return to the mound after not pitching a season ago while rehabbing from 2023 surgery. The Dodgers have slowly eased him back, with Ohtani throwing 12 innings in six starts, allowing nine hits and two earned runs with 13 strikeouts. Per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the top six percent in average fastball velocity (97.8 mph), a promising sign as he continues his progression. While the Dodgers keep him on a pitch count, Ohtani didn't need much warming up at the plate following the in-season break to find his swing. Some might argue he's already in postseason form.
Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
The Chicago Blackhawks, a crowded goaltending situation and trade rumors involving the Edmonton Oilers have fans wondering if the Stars' rivals could soon upgrade their crease before training camp. With training camp approaching, Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson has five goalies under contract, including Spencer Knight, Arvid Soderblom, Drew Commesso, newly signed Stanislav Berezhnoy, and veteran Laurent Brossoit. Only two NHL roster spots are available, which has fueled speculation that Brossoit could be moved to a contender, with Edmonton emerging as a leading candidate. For Stars fans, seeing the Oilers potentially bolster their crease should raise eyebrows. Edmonton, fresh off a deep playoff run, is looking to avoid the same issues that hurt them late in the postseason. "The Blackhawks have too many goalies and not enough spots, and Brossoit's contract and experience make him a natural trade chip for a team like the Oilers."-Julien Trekker Chicago's goalie logjam and Berezhnoy's recent signing are detailed further at NHL.com. Dallas could see its rival upgrade as Blackhawks explore trading Laurent Brossoit Brossoit, 32, carries a $3.3 million cap hit for one more season. Drafted by Calgary in 2011, he's appeared in 140 NHL games, including time with Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vegas, where he helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023. While Chicago decides, Drew Commesso continues to push for NHL time after posting a .911 save percentage over 39 AHL games. For a deeper look at Commesso's performance, his full profile is on Elite Prospects. I think if Edmonton lands Brossoit or even Commesso, Dallas may have to plan around a deeper Oilers team come playoff time, especially given how tight the Western race looks on paper.
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