NBA Buzz: Durant, Simmons, Suns, Sabonis, Lakers, Beal, Lillard, Grant, LeVert

The Nets are no longer the heavy favorites to win the championship as they were once considered due to Kyrie Irving being unvaccinated and the uncertain nature of the vaccine mandate changing in New York City.

However, Kevin Durant is keeping an optimistic mindset for his future in Brooklyn shall they come up short this season.

“If you’re looking at it as if, like, this is our only chance to ever do something special with this group — and other people looking at it that way — then I can see why,” Durant said. “But to be honest, I signed here for five years to play. You know what I’m saying? Looking at, obviously this year’s important, but no matter what happens this year I still want to do it again. And again.”

Assuming Irving re-signs, the Nets will still have arguably the best duo in the NBA for years to come and a great surrounding cast to go around them. If KD is on your team, you’re going to be fine. Plain and simple.

More NBA Rumors, News & Notes

Ben Simmons is dealing with a herniated disc in his back but wants to make his season debut as soon as possible, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Simmons recently got an epidural injection to smooth out the soreness.
Chris Paul is likely to return sooner than his initial six-week timetable from his fractured right thumb injury, Sam Amick of The Athletic reports. Oddsmakers at PointsBet currently have the Suns favored to win the championship this season with +350 odds.
Domantas Sabonis has a bruised left knee, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Imaging showed no structural damage, but he’ll be re-evaluated following the Kings’ five-game road trip.
Quin Snyder recently came up as a potential replacement for Gregg Popovich for the Spurs head coaching position, but he’s also listed as a probable candidate to take over for Frank Vogel shall the Lakers decide to move on from him, according to Marc Stein. Although not publicly known, Snyder’s contract with the Jazz is believed to run at least one more season after this one.
The Heat are seen as a “legitimate” suitor for Bradley Beal if he decides that he wants a change when he hits free agency, Shams Charania of The Athletic writes. However, a return to the Wizards is still seen as the most likely scenario.
Damian Lillard is out for the rest of this season, the Trail Blazers announced in a press release. Lillard has been out since January after receiving abdominal surgery.
The Blazers are expected to seriously pursue Jerami Grant this offseason, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Portland-born forward would give the Blazers a 20 point per game scorer on offense and a switchable defender on the other end of the floor.
Caris LeVert was acquired by the Cavaliers a little before the trade deadline, as the Pickerington, Ohio native opened up how he’s getting acclimated with his local ballclub in a recent interview with Kelsey Russo of The Athletic. “It’s been fun for me, to be honest with you,” LeVert said. “I try to look at it as a positive challenge for me; it’s just getting better. I know we’re playing for something, playing for the playoffs or playing for a championship. So that’s what gets me going in every morning.”