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22 hours ago
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While the NBA Draft is set to take place in New York in just a few hours, the league is still focused on improving its teams. This could happen through trades or simply by strengthening franchises during free agency, which starts on June 30. On Sunday, the basketball world was shaken when Kevin Durant was traded to the Rockets.
“Coming off finishing second in the West with only one starter (guard Fred VanVleet) older than 28, the Rockets were surely best positioned to thread the needle of surrounding Durant with enough talent to contend for a championship—particularly as the price dropped to the point where they didn't have to include any of their most prized young players in return,” ESPN’s NBA Insiders wrote.
In the end, the trade worked out well for Durant, and he got his piece of the cake. But at one point, there were concerns about whether the Suns would treat him unfairly.
“[Kevin Durant] definitely doesn’t want to go to Minnesota. But I think there is some fear from him & Rich Kleiman that—They’re hoping that there’s going to be respect at Kevin’s age to give him what he wants rather than try to trade him like he’s 31 years old,” Marc J. Spears said.
Durant learned at Fanatics Fest that he was headed to the Rockets, and he admitted he wasn’t all that surprised. While the Rockets are certainly in a position to compete now, FS1’s Nick Wright believes they have enough assets to add another superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Rockets receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bucks receive: Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard, 5 first round picks,” Wright said.
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As of now, Antetokounmpo hasn’t formally requested a trade, but it certainly feels like time is running out on the Bucks’ championship window. With Durant, Antetokounmpo, and freak athlete Amen Thompson on the court together, the defense would be on another level. On offense, it seems like the team could get whatever they want.
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