The<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Phoenix Suns</a> were perhaps the biggest winner of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> offseason. On top of trading for Bradley Beal, the team surrounded <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> with plenty of depth at every position.



However, there are still some doubts about Deandre Ayton’s future with the organization, as the former first-overall pick doesn’t seem happy with the team that drafted him.



With that in mind, NBA insider Dalton Triggs reveals that the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dallas Mavericks</a> could re-engage trade talks for Ayton, as they had already tried to get him prior to the Draft.



<h2>Mavericks Could Go After Deandre Ayton</h2>



“Given that McGee was apparently the biggest disagreement the Mavs and Suns had in their Ayton talks, wouldn’t it be feasible to envision those conversations potentially coming up again sometime before the season begins,” Trigg wrote.



“Would Phoenix take Hardaway and Holmes straight up with McGee out of the way, or would they now push for draft compensation as well,” the report concluded.


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Of course, this will all depend on Ayton’s efforts — or lack thereof — during his days with Frank Vogel, but a trade away from the Valley of the Sun shouldn’t be ruled out now.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could steal a star from Kevin Durant's Suns

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could steal a star from Kevin Durant's Suns - Bolavip US

miniaturas

Load management has become a major issue for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a>. Players like <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kawhi-leonard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kawhi Leonard</a> or <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/zion-williamson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zion Williamson </a>sitting out even when they’re healthy have hurt the show, and the fans seem tired of this practice.



With that in mind, the league has come up with a new rule that would give heavy fines to teams that rest multiple stars for games, especially if those are nationally televised games.



However, every rule has its exception, and this one does as well. According to ESPN insider Bobby Marks, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a>, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are among the few players exempt from this.



<h2>LeBron James, Stephen Curry Among NBA Stars Granted Exemptions In Load Management Rule</h2>



“Here are the exceptions the NBA will pre-approve but you have to send them a written notification within a week of the game,” Marks explained. “There are designated back-to-back allowances for players who are 35 years old on opening night or have career workloads of 34,000 regular season minutes or 100,000 regular season and playoff games combined.”



“Your list for this is Chris Paul, Mike Conley, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, and James Harden,” the insider concluded.


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Well, it’s safe to say that most of these players have already earned their stripes, so it’s only natural to see that the league has bent the rules a little to favor them. If anything, we should give them props for still going strong at their ages.

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant get new NBA rule made just for them

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant get new NBA rule made just for them - Bolavip US

Despite having plenty of young <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> talent, Team USA couldn’t finish the job in the FIBA World Cup. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> coach Steve Kerr failed to make adjustments, and they didn’t even win a medal.



The rest of the world has gotten much better, and it’s not like the Americans will just run through their competition anymore. At least, not with a roster full of inexperienced players.



That’s why Los Angeles Lakers star <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a> is reportedly leading an initiative to take U.S. Basketball back to the mountaintop, and he recruited Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, among others, to play in the upcoming Olympics.



<h2>LeBron James To Lead Olympic Superteam</h2>



“LeBron James, a three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has so strong an interest in one more Olympics that he is ready to commit for next summer and has also called multiple stars to essentially recruit them to join him with USAB in Paris, multiple league sources told The Athletic,” wrote Shams Charania.



“James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well,” the report added. “Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing, league sources said.”


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Well, the rest of the world had a nice run, and it was definitely fun while it lasted. But with this kind of roster, it’s hard to think of any other team capable of taking down USA Basketball again.

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant will lead Team USA in the Olympics

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant will lead Team USA in the Olympics - Bolavip US

It’s not a secret that Deandre Ayton wasn’t happy with coach Monty Williams. The former first-overall pick of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> Draft barely cared and was far from helpful for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phoenix Suns</a> two years ago.



Ayton was close to signing with the Indiana Pacers, but the Suns decided to match their offer to keep him on board, preventing him from leaving and keeping him as a potential trade asset.



He was slightly better and more committed last season, but there are still some rumors about his determination to stay or not. Now, while playing for the Bahamas national team, he may have taken a shot at <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> and Devin Booker.



<h2>Deandre Ayton Praises Bahamas Teammates, Takes Shot At Suns Stars</h2>



“The best teammates I’ve ever been around, on and off the court,” Ayton said. “Just understanding how it feels to fight for your country and everybody on the same mission.”



“It was a phenomenal feeling. Seeing how much emotion was coming into this game and just having each other’s back and being together,” the big man continued.


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Ayton knows what he’s doing right there, and this is not a coincidence by any means. So, after all, it seems like things aren’t all that good in the Valley of the Sun right now.

Deandre Ayton may have taken a big shot at Kevin Durant, Devin Booker

Deandre Ayton may have taken a big shot at Kevin Durant, Devin Booker - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant </a>changed the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA’s</a> landscape forever. Back in the 2016 offseason, he took the controversial decision to join the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a>, putting together the most overpowered team in the league.



Durant’s reputation has taken a massive hit ever since. The Warriors were fresh off a 73-win season, and they even knocked down his former team, so fans thought he was looking for an easy championship.



A lot has happened ever since, but the issue has never gone away. And when asked about the reasoning behind that decision, the former MVP may have taken a shot at Russell Westbrook.



<h2>Kevin Durant Took A Shot At His Former Teammates</h2>



“In OKC, I played with a lot of athletes,” Durant said on All The Smoke. “I didn’t play with a lot of skill guys, not like shooters, (or) ball-handlers. So after a while, my game started to grow (and) I was like, ‘I need a change.’ This was before the (2015-16) season even started.”



“I was tired of playing in that system,” Durant continued. “I was tired of being the only guy that can make threes, make jump shots, and consistently make them. So, my mind was already thinking about how can I develop my game more so than the Warriors vs. Thunder, that rivalry. Even if that was a rivalry, I didn’t give a f***.”


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Westbrook has never been an efficient scorer, especially from beyond the arc, so we know where he’s coming from, and this may be one of the reasons why they’re no longer close.

Kevin Durant explains why he left OKC, takes a big shot at Russell Westbrook

Kevin Durant explains why he left OKC, takes a big shot at Russell Westbrook - Bolavip US

No one, not even his biggest hater or detractor, can deny that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> is one of the greatest players in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> history. That’s why even at this age, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phoenix Suns</a> gave up so much to get him.



But unlike other superstars, it seems like Durant’s legacy is always a subject of debate. It’s not enough to be a great player, as the way he’s handled his career has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.



That’s why former <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cleveland-cavaliers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> guard Iman Shumpert believes not even some of his colleagues respect him anymore, as he’s always looking to create super teams.



<h2>Iman Shumpert Says NBA Players Don’t Respect Kevin Durant</h2>



“Like you came in like a d**head saying why don’t y’all switch teams? Y’all not loyal. Supersonic KD was one way. He was coming to hoop. Like ‘Aha, I can’t lift 185, don’t care. Bust on you,” Shumpert said.



“I’ll still drop 50 on you.’ And we was loving that. But when you change and you just be like, Ah that’s cool, we can team up. You’re still raw as f but it’s just like… (grimaces),” he added.


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Ironically, Shumpert always raves about LeBron James, who’s also had his fair share of superteams. However, James hasn’t forced his way out of any team and has always honored his contracts.

Former player explains why NBA players don't respect Kevin Durant

Former player explains why NBA players don't respect Kevin Durant - Bolavip US

In the NBA there is one particular date that every player wants to be a part of. That’s what happens in the league on Christmas Day, a moment when five fascinating matchups take place. And this year won’t be an exception.



Watching <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> play on December 25th is something normal now, regardless of the team he is playing for. This season, it was even more obvious he was going to play on that day, considering the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a> are a historic franchise.


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LeBron is set for a rivalry game that nobody wants to miss, as the Lakers are facing the Boston Celtics. Another recurring team playing in that iconic situation lately are the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors">Golden State Warriors</a>, who are a prime-time attraction with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry">Stephen Curry</a> starring.



<h2>NBA Christmas Day 2023-2024 Season</h2>



The five matchups that are going to captivate basketball fans everywhere have been revealed, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic. Celtics at Lakers is definitely the most historic one, but there are other great matchups.



Curry and the Warriors are travelling to Denver to encounter the defending champions Nuggets. Having two former MVPs like Curry and Jokic makes for a big game. However, the other three matches should give fans a lot to expect.



Dallas Mavericks against <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns">Phoenix Suns</a> is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed, considering it features Luka Doncic visiting <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant">Kevin Durant</a>. Also, Milwaukee Bucks are heading to New York to play the Knicks at the Madison Square Garden and Miami Heat have a home game v Philadelphia 76ers.

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Christmas Day: Who joins LeBron James and Stephen Curry? - Bolavip US

June 1 marked the end of the 2022-2023 NBA Season, so it’s not going to be until October 24 when the new one begins. However, what is now known is that the opening night features the most talented players in the league for a perfect tip-off.



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/denver-nuggets">Denver Nuggets</a> are the defending champions, conquering their first title ever with an undeniable 4-1 victory against the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a>. They might not be from a big market, but having <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nikola-jokic">Nikola Jokic</a> in the lineup makes them a must-watch.


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Other names that are even bigger than the Jokic’s will also be competing on the first day of action. Those renowned megastars stepping onto the court are <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a>, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry">Stephen Curry</a> and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant">Kevin Durant</a>.



<h2>Who is playing on NBA Opening Night?</h2>



The matchups are set for NBA Opening Night, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic. To open the 2023-2024 season officially, the Denver Nuggets will host the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. This means that the Lakers have the chance to avenge being swept in the WCF by spoiling the champions’ first game.



But the other game has potential for even more drama considering the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors">Golden State Warriors</a> play the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns">Phoenix Suns</a>. Every time Kevin Durant returns to the Warriors’ court, it’s a story to follow. It also has the debut of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/chris-paul">Chris Paul</a> in his new team against the one that traded him away. The chemistry between him and Curry is a focal point for Warriors supporters.

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NBA Opening Night: LeBron, Jokic, Curry and Durant - Bolavip US

NBA Opening Night Features LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant

Mat Ishbia’s message has always been pretty clear: he wants the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns">Phoenix Suns</a> to win an <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> championship fast. That’s why he didn’t hesitate to land <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant">Kevin Durant</a> in February, as soon as the Nets put him on the market.



His ambitious plan didn’t pay off immediately though, with the Suns losing to Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals. But it doesn’t matter, Ishbia is once again doing everything he can to put his team in a position to win.



The Suns fired Monty Williams to hire Frank Vogel, who won the ring with the Lakers in 2020. On top of that, they pulled off a blockbuster trade to get Bradley Beal from Washington. Now, they’ve just added another player to their roster.



<h2>Suns sign Udoka Azubuike</h2>



The Phoenix Suns announced Tuesday they signed free agent center Udoka Azubuike to a two-way contract. “Udoka possesses imposing size and the ability to finish around the rim,” said Suns GM James Jones in a statement. “His strength and physicality help add to our team’s depth.”



Selected with the 27th overall pick by the Jazz in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Kansas basketball product spent three seasons in Utah. He joins guard Saben Lee as Suns players who are under a two-way deal, with the team still holding one open spot.


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Azubuike will give Phoenix depth at center, though it remains to be seen how much room he has on the roster. DeAndre Ayton will be the starter, with Drew Eubanks and Chimezie Metu as other alternatives.

NBA Rumors: Kevin Durant has a new teammate at Suns - Bolavip US

NBA Rumors: Kevin Durant has a new teammate at Suns

Embracing the spirit of camaraderie, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant">Kevin Durant</a> joined the ranks of fervent fans to cheer on Frances Tiafoe at the Mubadala Citi DC Open. As a fellow native of Prince George’s County, Md., Durant found inspiration in the tennis sensation’s remarkable performance, rooting for him as he clinched a thrilling victory against Aslan Karatsev.



The jubilant scenes on the court revealed an emotional embrace between Durant and Tiafoe, symbolizing the unity of their shared roots. Celebrating Tiafoe’s triumph, the NBA All-Star proudly joined the rising tennis star for a captivating on-court interview conducted by the lively tournament emcee, Rennae Stubbs.


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Tiafoe’s stellar journey in tennis resonates deeply with Durant, who admitted that this was the first time he had witnessed professional tennis live. Expressing profound pride in his fellow county native, Durant hailed Tiafoe’s ability to captivate the crowd and pack the stadium, showcasing the electric energy and enthusiasm surrounding the homegrown talent.



<h2>A Force for Good Beyond the Court</h2>



Tiafoe’s dedication to empowering the community leaves an indelible mark on Durant’s heart. As he reminisced about the electric atmosphere in the stadium, Durant exclaimed “There was a lot of energy in the building tonight. It was exciting, I’m glad he got the win. He’s just bringing that energy from this area, we’re all proud of him”.



The NBA star lauded Tiafoe’s commitment to making a positive impact, asserting, “He’s representing right, so we’re all proud of him.” Tiafoe’s noble initiative, unveiled at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Md., aims to support underprivileged children’s tennis and education endeavors, earning Tiafoe well-deserved admiration.



Durant was not the sole NBA player showing appreciation for Tiafoe’s talent. In the company of Denver Nuggets player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Durant’s presence amplified the fervor and energy in the stadium, celebrating not just the sport of tennis but the power of athletes to inspire positive change in their communities.

Frances Tiafoe tells unbelievable story of Serena Williams facing Roger Federer

Christopher Eubanks Praises Novak Djokovic as the GOAT over Roger Federer

Kevin Durant Lauds Frances Tiafoe at Mubadala Citi Open - Bolavip US

NBA Star Kevin Durant Lauds Hometown Hero Frances Tiafoe at Mubadala Citi DC Open

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> went from being underdogs to the most hated team in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a>. Adding <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> to a 73-win team made them the biggest powerhouse in the league.



The Warriors were fresh off back-to-back trip to the NBA Finals, and were just one win away from winning consecutive chances, so adding Durant was most definitely a luxury.



Even <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephen Curry</a> and company knew that they were just too overpowered and would dominate with ease. Recently, Andre Iguodala revealed that they barely practice because they knew they would win anyway.



<h2>Warriors Barely Practiced When They Signed Kevin Durant</h2>



“When we had KD and knew we were going to win every game, practice was at 11,” started Iguodala. “It was on for like 20 minutes. It was just, ‘Get on the same page.&apos;” 



“We didn’t need too many plays and had to watch film,” added Iguodala. “It was nothing. I would get to the gym at 8:30 and eat breakfast. At 9, I am lifting weights. At 10, I get on the court and do all my work. Practice at 11, I already did all my work– 11:45 I was in the car and I was on the (golf) course by 12 or 12:15.”


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Needless to say, that’s a luxury not many teams have been able to afford and one of the reasons why no one wanted them to win again. Fortunately, that didn’t last long and balance was somewhat restored in the league.

Kevin Durant