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Rival superstar leaves door ajar for potential Warriors reunion

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Rival superstar leaves door ajar for potential Warriors reunion

Kevin Durant’s recent visit to the Bay Area for the All-Star weekend has reignited conversations about his potential return to the Golden State Warriors. Despite rejecting a mid-season trade back to the team that saw him win two Finals MVP awards, Durant has left the door slightly ajar for a future reunion.

The Trade That Wasn’t

Just weeks before the All-Star break, reports surfaced that the Warriors had a deal ready to bring Durant back, only for the plan to pivot to Jimmy Butler after Durant showed reluctance. The speculation was rife with theories about why Durant might not want to return, with many pointing to his past dynamics with Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr.

Durant’s Own Words

In an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Durant clarified his stance, emphasizing that his decision was not influenced by personal relationships but rather by his desire to stay put mid-season. “I just didn’t want to get traded midway through the season. It was nothing against my time with the Warriors… At the end of the day, I just didn’t want to move,” he explained. He expressed a commitment to finishing the season with the Phoenix Suns, alongside Devin Booker, despite the team’s current struggles.

Phoenix’s Predicament

The Suns are in a tough spot, with a 26-28 record, placing them 11th in the Western Conference. This is surprising given they boast one of the highest payrolls in the league, anchored by Durant and Booker. The team’s situation is complicated by Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause, which limited their ability to make significant roster changes, including the potential acquisition of Jimmy Butler, which might have necessitated moving Durant.

The Warriors’ Gained Ground

The Warriors, on the other hand, have seen a positive shift by acquiring Butler, retaining young talent like Jonathan Kuminga, and holding onto their future draft picks, which would have been part of a package for Durant. This move has placed the Warriors 1.5 games ahead of the Suns, with an upward trend in performance.

Looking Ahead

While Durant has not completely shut down the idea of returning to Golden State, his focus remains on the Suns for the remainder of the season. How the rest of the year unfolds could very well dictate his thoughts during the offseason about his future, especially given Phoenix’s willingness to explore trade options involving him. The dynamics of team performance, player relationships, and personal career goals will all play into what might happen next in this intriguing NBA saga.

Suns superstar forward rejected Warriors trade because he didn’t want to be moved midseason

As the NBA trade deadline loomed, Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant became the epicenter of trade speculation.

Despite murmurs that the Suns, grappling with a disappointing season, might trade their star, Durant remained in Phoenix, quashing any move to another team, including a much-talked-about potential reunion with the Golden State Warriors.

Speaking on ESPN’s NBA Today, Durant made it clear that his decision to stay with the Suns wasn’t about his history with the Warriors or his relationship with Draymond Green. “People talk crazy about me all the time,” he said. “That’s not the reason why I didn’t want to come back, I just didn’t want to get traded midway through the season.

It was nothing against my time with the Warriors… At the end of the day, I just didn’t want to move, and I wanted to see it through with my team in Phoenix and see what we could do for the rest of the season.”

Durant’s time with Golden State from 2016 to 2019 was marked by two championships and two Finals MVP awards, a period that left an indelible mark on his career.

However, this time around, the Warriors are not the juggernaut they once were, and adding Durant would have significantly bolstered their chances in the Western Conference.

This season, Durant has been putting up stellar numbers, averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

Despite his individual excellence, the Suns have struggled, sitting at 11th in the Western Conference with a 26-28 record, fueling the trade speculation.

With Durant opting out, the Warriors swiftly moved to acquire Jimmy Butler III from the Miami Heat, securing him with a lucrative two-year, $121 million extension. Since Butler’s arrival, Golden State has gone 3-1, showing signs of revival after their early season momentum waned.

While the idea of Durant returning to the Warriors was tantalizing for fans reminiscing about the glory days, it seems any serious discussion on this front will have to wait until the offseason. For now, Durant’s focus is on steering the Suns out of their current mid-table rut and into playoff contention.

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Washington Wizards Risk Sabotaging Their Offseason with Untimely Wins

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Washington Wizards Risk Sabotaging Their Offseason with Untimely Wins

The Washington Wizards are heading into one of their most crucial offseasons in recent memory as they continue their rebuild from the ground up.

However, their recent winning streak could jeopardize their long-term future.

Lack of a True Franchise Cornerstone

At the heart of the Wizards’ struggles is the absence of a true franchise player to build around.

Last year, they selected Alex Sarr with the No. 2 overall pick, hoping he would become a key piece for the future.

Unfortunately, Sarr has yet to meet expectations, struggling in Summer League and failing to capitalize on his strengths during his rookie season.

While it’s too early to completely write him off, there are growing concerns that Washington may have drafted a role player rather than a star.

Despite this, the basketball gods have seemingly given Washington another chance. They currently hold the worst record in the NBA, putting them in prime position to land the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft.

However, if they aren’t careful, they could lose their grip on the top selection.

Winning at the Wrong Time

While winning is always enjoyable, the Wizards are picking the worst possible time to go on a hot streak.

They’ve gone 5-5 in their last 10 games, including wins against the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons two teams also in contention for the top pick.

With highly-touted prospects like Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey available, and the possibility of Cooper Flagg declaring, securing the No. 1 pick should be Washington’s priority.

However, their recent victories have tightened the race for the league’s worst record.

The Utah Jazz, now just half a game behind Washington, could leapfrog them in the standings.

If Utah were to land the top pick, the prospect of playing for Danny Ainge a Boston Celtics legend and respected executive might entice Flagg to declare, potentially costing Washington a generational talent.

A Chance to Correct Course

As the regular season winds down, the Wizards must decide whether they are truly committed to the rebuild.

Winning meaningless games now could derail their entire offseason strategy before it even begins.

They have a chance to get back on track with an upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets a team that will likely expose their flaws. If Washington is serious about its future, they must prioritize draft positioning over short-term success.

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Nuggets Coach Michael Malone Gives Blunt Assessment of Nikola Jokic’s MVP Case

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Nuggets Coach Michael Malone Gives Blunt Assessment of Nikola Jokic's MVP Case

The Denver Nuggets secured a crucial road victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night in a high-stakes battle featuring two of the NBA’s top MVP contenders.

Nikola Jokic once again showcased his dominance, delivering an effortless yet staggering 35-point, 18-rebound, and eight-assist performance to outduel Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Following the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone didn’t hold back in making his case for Jokic in the MVP conversation.

“If you didn’t know that Nikola won three MVPs and I put Player A and Player B on paper, and you had no idea that the guy that’s averaging a triple-double, the guy who’s top-three in the three major statistical categories things that no one’s ever done he wins the MVP 10 times out of 10,” Malone said.

Then, with added emphasis, he continued: “And if you don’t think so, then I think you guys are all full of s—.”

Despite Jokic’s brilliance, Gilgeous-Alexander remains the frontrunner for this year’s MVP award.

However, Malone was quick to praise the Thunder star, acknowledging his greatness while also standing firmly behind his own player.

With a significant portion of the season still to play, Jokic and the Nuggets have a chance to maintain their momentum.

If they continue their red-hot form, voters may reconsider and ultimately decide that the Serbian big man deserves a fourth MVP instead of crowning a new face.

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Wizards Rookie Matches Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic With NBA Milestone

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Wizards Rookie Matches Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic With NBA Milestone

Washington Wizards’ rookie Carlton “Bub” Carrington has etched his name into NBA history, joining an exclusive club alongside legends Kobe Bryant and Luka Doncic.

In Monday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, Carrington became just the third player in league history to record over 250 assists and 100 three-pointers before turning 20 years old.

Despite the Wizards’ 104-119 loss in Toronto, the 19-year-old added to his impressive resume by dishing out five assists and knocking down a three-pointer in 26 minutes of action.

His latest feat not only places him in elite company with Bryant and Doncic but also cements his place in Wizards history. Carrington is now the second-fastest rookie in franchise history to reach 100 three-pointers, achieving the milestone in 62 games.

The only player to do it faster? Bradley Beal, who hit the mark in 60 games during the 2012-13 season.

Carrington was originally selected 14th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2024 NBA Draft before being traded to Washington, along with Malcolm Brogdon, in exchange for Deni Avdija. Since joining the Wizards, he has steadily carved out a key role on the team.

So far this season, Carrington has played in 62 games, starting in 42 of them. He is averaging 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across 29.3 minutes per game, while shooting 40.3% from the field and 34.7% from beyond the arc.

For a young player still finding his footing in the league, Carrington’s rapid rise and record-breaking performances suggest a bright future ahead in Washington.

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