The NBA commerce deadline gave a glimpse into the upcoming potential commerce marketplace for Kevin Durant this summer season, the Warriors new life following the Jimmy Butler acquisition, and extra.
Thus, HoopsHype has gathered new intel on commerce talks surrounding Kevin Durant on the commerce deadline, what Warriors basic supervisor Mike Dunleavy Jr. informed Stephen Curry, Draymond Inexperienced, and the crew when he acquired Jimmy Butler, and interviews with Lakers ahead Dorian Finney-Smith on his Brooklyn Nets tenure and free company future, and Warriors frontcourt gamers Kevon Looney on his upcoming free company and Quinten Publish’s view of rookie life within the league behind the scenes.
Timberwolves held Jaden McDaniels out of Kevin Durant commerce talks
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant drew important commerce curiosity from a number of groups forward of the deadline, together with the Golden State Warriors, Miami Warmth, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Whereas Durant in the end remained in Phoenix, he’s anticipated to come back up once more in commerce discussions this offseason as he enters the ultimate 12 months of his contract value $54.7 million for the 2025-26 season.
The Timberwolves aggressively pursued Durant in commerce talks earlier than the deadline and are anticipated to circle the wagon once more this summer season, however had been unwilling to half with star guard Anthony Edwards and versatile ahead Jaden McDaniels in discussions, league sources informed HoopsHype.
As a substitute, Timberwolves ahead Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo had been mentioned as a part of commerce talks for Durant, league sources informed HoopsHype.
Minnesota has now received 11 straight video games Randle has performed, and he has a $30.94 million participant choice for the 2025-26 season. DiVincenzo, in the meantime, is capturing 39.4 p.c from three-point vary this season and is averaging a career-high 3.7 assists.
It’s additionally value noting that reigning Sixth Man of the 12 months Naz Reid drew curiosity from the Suns as a part of the Durant commerce talks, league sources informed HoopsHype. Reid is anticipated to say no his $15 million participant choice for the 2025-26 season and enter unrestricted free company this summer season. Nonetheless, Minnesota hopes to re-sign Reid to a long-term contract, league sources informed HoopsHype.
Within the meantime, the playoffs can have huge implications for which path the Suns, Timberwolves, and different groups will go this summer season.
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr on buying Jimmy Butler: ‘This alerts it’s time to win, no f****** round’
The Golden State Warriors have turned their season round following the acquisition of Jimmy Butler with a 13-1 file when he is performed and rank third in crew defensive ranking (108.7) and offensive ranking (121.5) since February 8, per NBA.com.
The transfer has rejuvenated franchise stalwarts Stephen Curry and Draymond Inexperienced, together with the remainder of the roster, and included a memorable message from Warriors basic supervisor Mike Dunleavy Jr.
“I informed them, ‘It’s time to win,’” Dunleavy Jr. defined to HoopsHype. “No matter occurred this season up to now the place we’ve had some robust losses and our file isn’t what it must be. This alerts it’s time to win, no f****** round. We’ll see the place we will get to.”
For Dunleavy Jr., being a former teammate of Butler with the Chicago Bulls gave him a “degree of consolation” in making the blockbuster commerce and signing him to a two-year, $111 million extension.
“I feel there’s a expertise degree that he brings that we wanted on the high of the roster,” Dunleavy Jr. informed HoopsHype. “There’s additionally a presence, a competitiveness, and an IQ. We want all these issues on the court docket and in huge moments. I feel it raises the extent of all of our gamers. Not solely our function gamers but additionally Steph and Draymond to know they’ve received one other man with them that they will go searching and really feel like, “Alright, we’ve received an opportunity.”
Based on Warriors coach Steve Kerr, the acquisition of Butler is corresponding to a former Warriors swingman who went on to turn out to be a four-time champion and not too long ago had his jersey retired by the group.
“Issues have clearly turned with him (Butler),” Kerr stated. “He’s an excellent complement to what we already do along with his potential to go, however what he’s including is that maturity and poise. We’ve made the Andre (Iguodala) comparability. He’s not the very same participant, however he has the identical affect studying what’s taking place, settling us down, and creating good possessions at each ends.”
Since becoming a member of the Warriors, Butler has averaged 16.8 factors, 5.8 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per recreation.
“Credit score to Mike (Dunleavy Jr.) for making that transfer and Joe (Lacob) and Peter (Guber) for co-signing to make that huge of a dedication to somebody like that,” Inexperienced added. “It’s positively modified who we’re as a crew for certain.”
Dorian Finney-Smith: ‘You see what simply occurred with Luka? You’ve received to ensure you deal with your self first’
The Los Angeles Lakers dramatically turned their season round because the calendar flipped to 2025, together with a 22-11 file since buying versatile ahead Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets in a commerce.
“He is introduced a degree of toughness,” Lakers coach JJ Redick defined. “Actually communication and the spirit to wish to defend. I feel guys have responded nicely to who he’s as a participant, a teammate, an individual. He is simply match proper in. Our season form of rotated, and the vitality and spirit of our group rotated after we received him. He is been large for us.”
In his return to Brooklyn for the primary time since being traded, Finney-Smith sat down with HoopsHype within the visiting locker room at Barclays Middle to debate his tenure with the Nets, why he believes coach Jordi Fernandez will flip the franchise round quickly, who may very well be a part of Brooklyn’s core going ahead, enjoying for coach Redick, his free company future, and response to the Luka Doncic commerce.
What are your ideas in your Nets tenure?
Dorian Finney-Smith: It was good. I received an opportunity to play in New York. You already know what New York is to the basketball world. It was superb. I used to be near my household. I’m from Virginia, in order that they had been all the time right here. It was a good time, despite the fact that it was a little bit quick. I feel Jordi (Fernandez) is a good coach. He’s main this group and headed in the direction of the precise scenario.
What about Jordi Fernandez makes you suppose he can assist finally flip the Nets round?
DFS: He’s a stand-up man. Since I met him, he’s been a person of his phrase about what he expects from his guys. He brings it daily, too, himself. It’s straightforward to purchase in while you’ve received any person like that. I’ve been saying it for some time. I consider Jordi goes to be a coach for a very long time.
Which Nets are you watching who might doubtlessly be part of the core trying forward?
DFS: I nonetheless discuss to just about everyone on that crew. CT (Cam Thomas), in fact, along with his expertise. Hopefully, he will get paid. I need him to receives a commission this summer season. It’s nicely deserved. I need Day’Ron (Sharpe) to make his cash as nicely. Trendon Watford is a man I wish to discover his footing within the league and get an extended contract of two or three years. Noah (Clowney) is making extra noise and getting extra confidence, capturing the ball, and enjoying nicely. Jalen (Wilson) continues to deliver his vitality off the bench. Keon Johnson is a menace on protection. Cam Johnson. We all know what he can do.
How’s the adjustment been for you coming to the Lakers?
DFS: I’ve come right here and been who I’m. I’m an enormous communicator and vitality man. I can shoot the ball after I’m open, and I play protection.
What’s it been like enjoying for JJ Redick?
DFS: It’s been good. He was my teammate in Dallas for a bit. You would inform he had an excellent basketball thoughts. He was a little bit off. What I imply by a little bit off is he was tremendous locked in. I really feel like all of the greats are a little bit bit off. They care a complete lot and are tremendous obsessed with it. He’s a kind of guys. It’s been enjoyable competing and enjoying alongside these superb gamers.
How do you are feeling about your participant choice and your free company future?
DFS: You see what simply occurred with Luka (Doncic)? So, you’ve received to ensure you deal with your self first. We have to end the season sturdy. If we win, everyone eats (smiles).
Because you talked about Luka Doncic, what went via your thoughts when he was traded?
DFS: Sh*t. I believed it was faux. I attempted to name his a** to see if it was actual. I talked to Maxi (Kleber), and he stated it was actual, so it was actual.
Kevon Looney: ‘Free company is all the time loopy, so no matter occurs, occurs’
Golden State Warriors middle Kevon Looney is set to win his fourth championship in 10 seasons with the franchise whereas remaining a valued rotation participant after listening to his identify floor in commerce rumors earlier than the deadline and forward of unrestricted free company this summer season.
Looney spoke with HoopsHype about how Jimmy Butler modified the dynamic of the franchise, how Butler and Draymond Inexperienced co-exist within the locker room behind the scenes as vocal leaders, the message Butler’s acquisition despatched to the crew, coping with commerce rumors, what it means to stay a Warrior and his upcoming free company.
What impression has Jimmy Butler introduced on and off the court docket?
Kevon Looney: He’s introduced a distinct degree of poise to our crew. He can management the sport and elevate others as nicely. He’s added a second playmaker and one other voice. He’s an All-Defensive participant, too. His communication on that facet of the ball and the offensive facet provides us a whole lot of confidence and poise. Typically, earlier than he received right here, we received uncontrolled for spells. We’d play 36 minutes good, and for 12 minutes, we’d get wild. He slows us down, will get us below management, and we get in our spots.
What’s it like with Butler and Draymond Inexperienced in the identical locker room and on the court docket collectively?
Kevon Looney: It has been nice. They’re two of the neatest guys within the league on either side of the ball. The conversations we’ve on the court docket and within the huddles are actually high-level. We’re capable of problem-solve actually shortly when issues aren’t going our approach and make changes as a result of we’ve received two of the neatest guys within the league. They’re capable of get within the ears of our younger guys and might change the circulation of a recreation by stopping these runs if a crew begins getting momentum.
What did the commerce for Butler say to you and the fellows within the locker room?
KL: It provides you a brand new spark. Whenever you’ve been along with the identical group for thus lengthy, issues can get a little bit bit monotonous and like, “We’ll determine it out in some unspecified time in the future.” Whenever you get an enormous change like that, it’s like, “Oh, sh*t. We’ve received to determine it out now.” He’s coming in hungry and brings a distinct vitality that we didn’t have shortly. It provides us new life and new motivation. We all know the time is now. It’s not time to determine it out within the offseason. We’re making an attempt to win now. I feel that message was despatched.
How was it for you going into the commerce deadline whereas on an expiring contract?
KL: It’s not my first go-around of seeing names and faces throughout commerce rumors. It’s all the time nerve-wracking, however I do know what I can do. I do know I can play. Whenever you see your identify on the market, it’s not one of the best, however I’ve been right here a very long time. I do know what it takes to win. I’m completely satisfied I’m nonetheless right here, and hopefully, I can assist the crew and contribute.
What does it imply so that you can stay with the crew you’ve been along with your complete profession?
KL: It means lots. Not a whole lot of guys get to play this lengthy with one crew. For me, being right here 10 years and having an opportunity to proceed to compete and win with our purpose being to get to the championship, being part of a crew like that’s all the time enjoyable. I do know what it takes and how one can preserve our tradition going and preserve all the things transferring the best way we’re purported to. I’m completely satisfied to be right here. No matter occurs, occurs.
What is going to you be searching for in free company?
KL: I don’t know. I’m targeted on this season proper now. You by no means know what’s going to occur in a brief time frame. I’m hoping I can keep wholesome, have an excellent finish of the season and playoffs, after which see no matter occurs. You all the time attempt to be the place you’re at, however issues change. Free company is all the time loopy, so no matter occurs, occurs.
Quinten Publish: ‘There’s no ego on this league’
After starting his NBA profession because the No. 52 choose within the draft and on a two-way contract, Golden State Warriors middle Quinten Publish developed right into a key rotation participant and starter at instances, a knockdown three-point shooter (.417), and a great rebounder.
Publish sat down with HoopsHype to debate his journey from enjoying within the G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors to incomes a normal NBA contract and key rotation minutes with Golden State, what he’s discovered from Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Inexperienced, the crew’s expectations transferring ahead, and extra.
How did you earn a normal NBA deal after becoming a member of a veteran crew on a two-way contract?
Quinten Publish: Transitioning from school to the NBA, it’s a distinct recreation. It’s sooner, and the fellows are extra athletic. It took a little bit bit, after which basketball is all a recreation about confidence. Whenever you first get right into a locker room like ours, and also you see Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and all these guys, it takes some time to seek out your function inside these guys. I’ve to present huge credit score to our G League squad, my teammates, and my coaches for giving me the reps. In some unspecified time in the future, I received an opportunity, after which it was on me to capitalize.
How was it mentally adjusting from getting the ball lots in school to turning into a task participant as a rookie?
QP: There’s no ego on this league. I’ve stated from the beginning. My greatest purpose is to play profitable basketball. I don’t care how that interprets. At Boston Faculty, I needed to be a ball-dominant man. Right here, we’ve such good gamers that I can use my ability set to be a supporting piece. I attempt to deliver vitality, I attempt to knock down photographs, and I attempt to play good protection.
What went via your thoughts while you earned a normal NBA deal?
QP: It proved that it was value it. I give myself credit score from the second I came upon I used to be going to Santa Cruz. I put my head down and fully targeted on that. I wasn’t even interested by the Warriors. I used to be targeted on profitable our video games within the G League and enjoying higher basketball with my teammates there. I used to be locked in. I used to be going to win the G League. That was our plan. We had been on a streak there. Then, abruptly, I received a call-up, after which I used to be right here. The truth that I received transformed, I felt was as a result of I did the precise issues, and I received rewarded for it.
How do you are feeling you’ve been capable of impression the Warriors?
QP: My vitality, dimension, making level 5 choices, which Steve (Kerr) may be very huge on. If you happen to make the precise play each time, that’s all you are able to do. On protection, I’m studying. I’m making an attempt to play with a whole lot of effort and vitality.
Is there something that stands proud from Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, or Draymond Inexperienced that’s one thing you discovered and stands out?
QP: I’ve by no means heard a lot communication on any crew I’ve been part of. Draymond talks. Steph talks. Steph could also be extra of a quiet chief, however when Steph makes use of his voice, it’s heard. I’m being talked to all these performs we’re going via on the offensive and defensive finish. They’re Corridor of Fame gamers. It’s an honor to play with them, and I’m grateful I can assist them.
When the crew acquired Jimmy Butler, what did that say to you and the fellows within the locker room in regards to the expectations?
QP: We’re making an attempt to win now. I feel it was fairly clear. We made an enormous transfer, and we traded a whole lot of our items and depth. Jimmy has been so nice for us. From the entrance workplace, what it informed us is that we’re making an attempt to win a championship. Steph and Draymond received a second wind after the commerce occurred. As a rookie, you observe in line and attempt to deliver no matter you’ll be able to.
Has Jimmy Butler given you any steerage since arriving?
QP: He talks and may be very clear about how he desires to play the sport. He’s a optimistic affect in our locker room. He performs tremendous exhausting on protection. He’s a straightforward man to observe in his footsteps. He’s been within the league for thus lengthy and made a number of deep runs within the playoffs, so it’s straightforward to observe a man like that who performs as exhausting as he does.
What’s the ceiling for this crew when you guys keep wholesome and are clicking?
QP: Championship.
You possibly can observe Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, previously often called Twitter.
This text initially appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA Intel: Kevin Durant Commerce talks, Jimmy Butler, Warriors, Lakers, Suns, Timberwolves, Nets
