Maria Taylor has officially been named NBC Sports’ lead studio host for the NBA and WNBA, according to an NBC Sports press release. NBC reacquired the rights to NBA games in an 11-year agreement with the league last summer and will begin its coverage in 2025/26. Taylor will host NBC Sports’ NBA studio programs on Sunday and Tuesday nights alongside analysts Carmelo Anthony and … [Read more...] about And-Ones: Taylor, Parker, Avdija, Power Rankings
Lottery Pick Facilitated Durant Trade
The Rockets’ willingness to give up their lottery pick in this week’s draft played a significant role in the agreed-upon Kevin Durant blockbuster with the Suns, Kelly Iko and Sam Amick report. The Rockets refused to give the Suns’ 2027 and 2029 first-round selections, which Houston controls via prior trades, back to Phoenix. Those picks were sent to Brooklyn in the February … [Read more...] about Lottery Pick Facilitated Durant Trade
Kevin Durant Trade Talks Between Suns, Rockets At Impasse
The Rockets are considered to be among the favorites to trade for Kevin Durant, and they’re one of three teams on Durant’s list of preferred destinations that was leaked to the media last weekend. However, during an appearance Friday on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast, reporter Sam Amick revealed that the Rockets and Suns haven’t discussed a Durant deal in several days (hat tip … [Read more...] about Kevin Durant Trade Talks Between Suns, Rockets At Impasse
Stein/Fischer’s Latest: Durant, DeRozan, Kuminga, Sixers, Yabusele, Flagg
Potential moves around the NBA are on hold as the league waits for the Suns to finalize a Kevin Durant trade, according to Mark Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). They mention Kings forward DeMar DeRozan as a player who could be a “fallback trade target” for unsuccessful Durant suitors and cite a report from James Ham of The Kings Beat, who said on his … [Read more...] about Stein/Fischer’s Latest: Durant, DeRozan, Kuminga, Sixers, Yabusele, Flagg
Rockets To Sign Coach Ime Udoka To Contract Extension
Head coach Ime Udoka has agreed to a long-term extension with the Rockets, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN. According to Charania, Udoka’s new extension will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. Kelly Iko of The Athletic confirms (via Twitter) that Udoka has agreed to a multiyear deal. A former NBA wing, Udoka has led Houston to a dramatic turnaround over … [Read more...] about Rockets To Sign Coach Ime Udoka To Contract Extension