Tag: KD

Suns vs. Timberwolves: Former Warrior Kevin Durant swept in first round of playoffs

Kevin Durant and the Suns were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Entering the first round of the playoffs, there were 11 former members of the Golden State Warriors slated to be on the court in the postseason with their new teams, with Kevin Durant headlining the list of ex-Warriors in the playoffs.

However, the former two-time NBA Finals MVP’s run in the playoffs came to an end quickly on Sunday evening in Pheonix. Led by Anthony Edwards, the No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 122-116 win over the No. 6 seed Suns to complete a four-game sweep in the opening round of the playoffs.

Durant tallied 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field with nine rebounds, five assists, and four blocks, but it wasn’t enough to counter Edwards’ 40-point performance in Game 4.

During the series against the Timberwolves, Durant averaged 26.8 points on 55.2% shooting from the field with 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 blocks over four games.

Since leaving the Warriors in 2019, Durant hasn’t reached past the second round of the playoffs with the Brooklyn Nets and Suns.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Stephen A Smith sure that 2022-23 is final year for KD & Kyrie Irving

Stephen A. Smith sounded off on ESPN, predicting that the star duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is ending for the Brooklyn Nets.

While the Brooklyn Nets finally bounced back for their third NBA preseason game, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith sounds off on the team’s star duo claiming it’ll be Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving’s last year together as members of he Nets.

Sports personality Stephen A Smith went on ESPN’s NBA Countdown to discuss the partnership. Smith said:

“This is it. Barring a trade before the trading deadline, this is their last season together. Kyrie’s not re-signing in Brooklyn. Kyrie’s planning on going to Los Angeles. He’s trying to go to Los Angeles. That’s what he was trying to do over the summer. That’s what he’s trying to do now.”

“He knows he has to get through this season, whether they win or lose… Kyrie is pretty much gone. Unless of course [Nets governor] Joe Tsai changes his mind and says okay, ‘here’s 250 million dollars over the next four years which we all sincerely doubt he would do.”

[mm-video type=video id=01gf7aaz6zvrmj6j1m0y playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gf7aaz6zvrmj6j1m0y/01gf7aaz6zvrmj6j1m0y-d3782afd18d8c693fcc2a9fb22caf35f.jpg]

[listicle id=47025]

Steph Curry chooses current championship over wins with Kevin Durant

In an interview, sharpshooter Steph Curry claimed that he prefers his 2022 championship title to his victories with Kevin Durant.

While Brooklyn Nets fans are rejoicing that superstar Kevin Durant decided to stay with the team going into next season, former teammate Stephen Curry just compared his championship victories and the 2022 title.

Curry met with Sports Illustrated’s Ashley Nicole Moss and played a game of this or that, when he was asked to pick between his rings. Curry has a total of four NBA Finals victories, so when Moss asked if this year’s championship means the most to him, Curry concurred.

Moss then asked Curry if he got to choose between his two championship wins with teammate Kevin Durant, or if he’d select his current one. This was his answer:

“No, I want this one,” Curry said without hesitation. “No, give me this one, all day everyday.”

Clearly, Curry must be extremely proud of what he was able to do with this Golden State Warriors team since he’d hypothetically be willing to swap both his ’17 and ’18 titles to retain ’22. Curry would only have half the titles he’s won at this stage of his career.

[mm-video type=video id=01gbx9qaqwwpby21d091 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gbx9qaqwwpby21d091/01gbx9qaqwwpby21d091-36b4b889b613ccda13c82e25a31f666d.jpg]

[vertical-gallery id=21993]

Are the Brooklyn Nets using the Celtics’ offer to increase KD’s value?

Reports indicate that the Brooklyn Nets have been utilizing their trade offer from the Celtics as a negotiation tactic in other trades.

While the NBA world wasn’t entirely surprised when superstar Kevin Durant reiterated his trade request out of Brooklyn, most fans were shocked that the Boston Celtics actually offered a deal to the Nets that included Jaylen Brown.

However, since the initial trade offer it seems that the Nets have been asking for more value in a trade package. With Boston offering an young All-Star, it’s safe to say that Brooklyn received the best offer to date.

Some analysts believe that the Nets are just using the Celtics offer as a negotiation tactic to ask for more talented players in any trade offer. NBA writer Sam Amick of The Athletic reported:

“In general terms, sources say the Nets are using the fact that the Celtics (and perhaps other teams) have made their second-best player available as a baseline of sorts in negotiations. Translation: If you’re still trying to discuss a Durant deal without putting your second-best talent on the table, then just stop wasting everyone’s time and bow out of this race.”

[pickup_prop id=”25864″]

With Boston becoming unwilling to part with Robert Williams, the C’s are seemingly backing off. As of yet, Brooklyn has squabbled at their best deal to date for Durant, while attempting to raise his trade value.

[mm-video type=video id=01gappakhjpr5bkntxt1 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gappakhjpr5bkntxt1/01gappakhjpr5bkntxt1-6010de9ae8a0b31321313a2876f6635a.jpg]

[vertical-gallery id=23306]

Report: Nets asked Celtics for both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in Durant trade

Reports indicate that originally the Brooklyn Nets requested the Celtics trade both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in exchange for Durant.

The NBA world was absolutely shocked when the report came out that the Boston Celtics offered a trade package to the Nets for disgruntled former MVP Kevin Durant, but apparently Brooklyn originally asked for both of Boston’s young stars.

As we know the Celtics offered up young star Jaylen Brown, alongside Defensive Player Marcus Smart and role player Derrick White. The deal ultimately fell through, likely because Brooklyn thought they could receive more picks in return.

NBA writer Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reported that the originally Brooklyn requested to receive both Brown and superstar teammate Jayson Tatum.

“Brooklyn initially tried to pry both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown from Boston in a Kevin Durant trade. That proposal went nowhere, of course. The source confirmed recent reports that Brooklyn later shifted its focus to a deal centered on Brown, Marcus Smart, and a massive haul of future first-round draft picks. But the Celtics were not interested,” wrote Himmelsbach.

[mm-video type=video id=01g9z9as3ayrt0e7v2wd playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g9z9as3ayrt0e7v2wd/01g9z9as3ayrt0e7v2wd-dd2d7b6e6ebc1740a70cd4c4795689d6.jpg]

[vertical-gallery id=23306]

Nets’ Kevin Durant spotted celebrating with Travis Scott after concert

A video was posted earlier this week that features former MVP Kevin Durant celebrating and getting hype with rap star Travis Scott.

While Brooklyn Nets fans are patiently waiting to see how their team and roster unfolds, superstar Kevin Durant is hanging out with rapper Travis Scott.

Kylie Jenner posted a video that featured Durant and former teammate James Harden getting hype with the rap star, Overtime then reposted the video showcasing Scott interacting with the players. Durant and Harden were hype backstage with Scott.

This comes just a couple of days following the report that Durant was planning to meet with team owner Joe Tsai. Durant expressed his unhappiness with the team to Tsai, before requesting a trade and listing his preferred destinations.

Unfortunately for Durant the trade market was ridiculously inflated due to the Rudy Gobert – Minnesota Timberwolves trade. The Nets asking price was high already, but this made it impossible for any teams’ offer to seem tantalizing for the franchise.

Durant seems to be living up his final weeks of the offseason before he returns to basketball, possibly as a Net.

[mm-video type=video id=01g9cx4c488mznbghpd5 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g9cx4c488mznbghpd5/01g9cx4c488mznbghpd5-b3edbb12019594c2c8b4b5c4aacc7fb3.jpg]

[vertical-gallery id=23306]

Nets: Rival GMs give their takes on the Celtics trade offer for KD

NBA GMs from across the league discuss what they would do to get a deal done for Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant.

With the Boston Celtics reportedly offering the Brooklyn Nets a trade package that include Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and draft compensation, rival general managers chime in on what it would take for them to accept the offer.

FOX Sports NBA reporter Ric Bucher asked GMs from across the league one simple question: What gets a deal done for KD, and would you do it?

One Eastern conference GM said “the Nets should ask that he be part of the deal. Because Marcus [Smart] just brings a different element. There’s risk, but with all the great ones, there’s normally risk. And not to say Marcus is great, but when he’s good he’s really, really [expletive] good.”

A Western Conference GM argued that the Celtics might be better served swapping Jayson Tatum for Durant while keeping Brown and Smart.

[pickup_prop id=”26317″]

“I know he’s a lot younger than KD, but if you’re just trying to win one title, do you trade Tatum for Durant? I’d do that before I’d give them Jaylen and Smart.”

“Brown is valued a little less than Tatum because he’s not the skill darling. He’s a high level athlete who has developed into a good player. But I have to think Brooklyn would prefer Tatum and you wouldn’t have to give up Smart.”

[mm-video type=video id=01g8k3d0wwpr68typ2fr playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g8k3d0wwpr68typ2fr/01g8k3d0wwpr68typ2fr-f989a599f5efffd647ca124f2b6f0f9d.jpg]

[vertical-gallery id=21949]

Celtics insider thinks Jayson Tatum shouldn’t learn from Kevin Durant

NBA analyst Jeff Goodman talked about the Kevin Durant trade rumors and discussed how it could hinder Jayson Tatum’s development.

While the NBA world unfolds following the news that the Boston Celtics proposed a trade to the Brooklyn Nets for disgruntled Kevin Durant, a Boston insider infers that Durant wouldn’t be good for the team.

NBA insider at Stadium Jeff Goodman talked about the trade rumors on the  ‘Merloni, Fauria and Mego’ radio segment. Goodman suggests that Durant may not be the best for Tatum’s development, “I’d more be worried about Jayson Tatum learning from Kevin Durant. I’m not sure learning from Kevin Durant right now is the best way to be taught.”

Goodman continued:

“Yeah, he’s just not the same person. I know you’re gonna change over the course — you’re not gonna be that kid I talked to at 14, obviously. But I miss the kid that when he signed an extension for Oklahoma City, he just like tweeted it out and said, ‘I’m gonna be here,’ and that was it. … That was him at that point. Now, Keyboard Kevin going at people on Twitter … I just don’t know. I would be worried about having Kevin Durant here with some of the questionable decisions he’s made over the last couple years. Then you throw in the health, the age, all of it, and again, I go back to it. I can’t believe I would turn down a trade for Kevin Durant if it were me, involving Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and a first. Like, I can’t believe I’m even thinking about turning down that trade.”

[mm-video type=video id=01g936xnvrvf1e428pz4 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g936xnvrvf1e428pz4/01g936xnvrvf1e428pz4-3cf207ea5b6870191f003bcec6e278ab.jpg]

[vertical-gallery id=21949]

Analyst doubts the Nets keep Kyrie Irving if Kevin Durant trade occurs

Marc Stein says that if Kevin Durant is traded, Kyrie Irving will soon be out of Brooklyn.

Superstar Kevin Durant is still awaiting a trade after requesting to be shipped elsewhere earlier this offseason, and some analysts believe that the team is unwilling to keep Kyrie Irving if the slashing forward is traded.

NBA insider Marc Stein talked about the trade rumors on Spotify Live, suggesting that the team will not keep the seven-time All-Star Irving if Durant moves.

“If [Kevin] Durant goes, I don’t see any way that the Nets just keep Kyrie [Irving]. I think if they can find a Durant trade, they will aggressively ramp up their desire to move Kyrie elsewhere.”

This comes just a few days after the reports that the Boston Celtics offered a trade package to the Nets in exchange for the sharpshooting former MVP.

[pickup_prop id=”25761″]

Reportedly Kyrie Irving wanted to return to the team, but with the team still fielding offers for Durant, I’m sure that the Nets will patiently wait to return value in a trade.

[mm-video type=video id=01g936xnvrvf1e428pz4 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g936xnvrvf1e428pz4/01g936xnvrvf1e428pz4-3cf207ea5b6870191f003bcec6e278ab.jpg]

[vertical-gallery id=23306]

Kendrick Perkins believes Kevin Durant doesn’t want out of Brooklyn

NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins believes that Kevin Durant doesn’t want to be traded and is instead helping Kyrie Irving.

With Kevin Durant awaiting a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, NBA analyst and former teammate Kendrick Perkins sounded off claiming that Durant may not even want to leave the team.

Perkins decided to discuss the situation on NBA TV and said, “It makes zero sense to me that he wants to be traded at this point…. I think Kevin Durant is doing this as a scare tactic to help Kyrie Irving have leverage.”

Perkins said the following:

“Why would KD want out? Why would Kyrie go searching and seeing if a team will want to do a sign and trade and then all of a sudden he opt-in into his contract, and then all of a sudden once Kyrie Irving opts in into his contract, then Kevin Durant comes out and says, ‘I want to be traded’. He tells he tells the Brooklyn Nets, he wants to be traded. I’m to the point and I came up with the conclusion that I don’t believe Kevin Durant. I don’t believe it at all. Matter of fact, it makes zero sense to me that he wants to be traded at this point. I don’t believe he believes it. I think Kevin Durant is, doing this as a scare tactic in order to help Kyrie Irving have leverage to get the upside long term with the Brooklyn Nets.

Because then think about this for a second, Rudy Gobert, quietly got traded. We didn’t really know too much that was going on, when we heard the rumors. But think about what Minnesota gave up. Were talking about KD a top five player, arguably the best player in the NBA and what we’re saying that he hasn’t been moved yet.

KD is like the Jordan Concord’s 11’s, like when they come out and you know it’s a release date it’s an hour max before those shoes are sold out. So you’re sitting up you’re telling me right now that Kevin Durant is still on the market. Unless you’re a Milwaukee and you’re not giving up Giannis, you’re not giving up Ja Morant if you’re Memphis, you’re not giving up Luka if you’re Dallas,  you’re not giving up Steph Curry. But if any other team around the NBA and Kevin Durant is on the market and you mean to tell me that nothing has been done? No traction has picked up over the weekend? I don’t believe it.

[mm-video type=video id=01g78cypass9nbm255z1 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g78cypass9nbm255z1/01g78cypass9nbm255z1-c8cf3333544571c3eba9e8dd95857e98.jpg]

[listicle id=45728]