Every Wednesday, we round up the latest NBA Buzz at FortyEightMinutes.com.
This week’s edition includes notes on Kevin Durant, the Wizards’ latest moves, the reality for the Raptors, and a trade idea for the Cavaliers.
Kevin Durant’s Truth
There have been rumblings about how Kevin Durant, who has been traded twice in his career before, might be unhappy with his situation in Phoenix.
KD (assuming we can call him KD) set the record straight during an interview with Fox Sports’ Melissa Rohlin.
“I don’t want to get traded,” Durant said. “I’m not frustrated because Brad was injured. I wasn’t frustrated because of the role players on the team. That s— really was ignorant to me, you know what I’m saying?
Much of the speculation came about Durant’s unhappiness in late December and former NBA point guard Brandon Jennings‘ comments about how Durant might “deserve” better only added fuel to the fire.
“That whole few days was so trash to me because it was all speculation about what I may be thinking based off of body language; I’m not smiling enough,” Durant said. “…There wasn’t even no smoke there. That was just one game, man. Everyone needed something to write right before Christmas.”
“The people that respond to (Jennings’ comments) as if I said something, that’s really delusional to me…Brandon Jennings can have his ideas and opinions, but to act like it came from me is the wildest part. I don’t talk to this guy. He’s got his own opinions on the league, which is fine. But the response to that was like I was saying it. Like, why are [people] even spending this much time worrying about … Does KD deserve better? Or he doesn’t deserve better? Like, why are you even talking about this?”
The Suns were expected to have the second-most wins in the Western Conference, though through 37 games, they currently sit ninth in the conference standings with a record of 19-18. Durant missed seven of the team’s 37 games. Devin Booker has missed nine and Bradley Beal has missed 24. The trio has only logged five games together.
The notion that the Suns are having trouble is probably a bit overblown. Trades are probably coming to round out the roster in Phoenix, though it’ll be hard to pin that on Durant if you’ve been actively following the team and league rather than just listening to talking heads.
Whatever is to come, Durant just doesn’t want false stories out there.
“There’s a lot of people trying to read my body language instead of talking to me and asking me, ‘Hey, what do you think?'” Durant said. “…At least come and talk to me and ask, ‘What were you thinking right there?’ Maybe I was pissed off at myself.”
Wizards Lead Off 10-Day Contract Season
The Wizards announced the first 10-day contract of the season, bringing in former University of Kentucky guard Hamidou Diallo following their Monday night waiving of Ryan Rollins (the Kings inked Juan Toscano-Anderson just hours after the Washington news).
What do the Wizards expect from the 25-year-old in his upcoming stint with the team?
“High-level energy,” Unseld said of Hamidou (via The Athletic). “He defends. He plays downhill, plays with force. He can be very disruptive, very active. He’s got positional size, which I think is great. He’s improved his three-point shooting.”
As we wait to see how much Diallo, who is a 23.8 career three-point shooter, helps the Wizards, be sure to check out our full 2024 Wizards Trade Deadline Preview, which includes the likeliness of Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Poole, and every other Wizards getting traded.
Raptors’ Rant Exposing Scottie Barnes?
Toronto coach Darko Rajaković went on an all-time rant (at least in terms of NBA coaches) after a loss to the Lakers on Tuesday night.
“This is shame. Shame for the referees. Shame for the league to allow this…How [is it] possible that Scottie Barnes, who is All-Star-caliber player in this league, he goes every single time to the rim with force and trying to get to the rim without flopping and not trying to get foul calls, he gets two free throws for a whole game?” coach Rajaković said postgame.
“…Just give them a win. But that was not fair tonight. And this is not happening first time for us. Scottie Barnes is gonna be [an] All-Star. He’s gonna be the face of this league, and what’s happening over here during [the] whole season … it’s complete crap.”
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic had an all-time rant against the officials after their loss to the Lakers last night.
— Covers (@Covers) January 10, 2024
Aside from the ref issues, once the social media reaction dust settled on the rant, it’s worth questioning the other part of what Toronto’s coach said.
22-year-old Scottie Barnes is going to be the face of the NBA?
Stephen A. Smith didn’t let that go.
Stephen A. Smith has an issue with Darko Rajaković calling Scottie Barnes the future face of the league
“Face of the league? Somebody needs to remind him of who Anthony Edwards is along with various others.”
(h/t @BasketballOnX )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 10, 2024
Barnes was selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft and won Rookie of the Year. He came back to earth in year 2, though this past season he’s showcased himself as an All-Star-caliber player albeit on a 15-22 Raptors team.
Jarrett Allen: Thunder Trade Candidate?
The Cavaliers are in the midst of a funky season and while there haven’t been any substantial trade rumors surrounding Jarrett Allen, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons mentioned Allen as a fit for the Thunder in one of his recent podcasts. It’s a trade scenario that could work out for both Cleveland and Oklahoma City.
The Thunder have impressed this season, though adding a reinforcement at the five spot could be what allows them to fully optimize their roster.
For the Cavaliers, restocking their cupboard of some draft picks may make sense (especially if the team does pivot from the Darius Garland–Donovan Mitchell backcourt before the trade deadline).
A trade centered around Davis Bertans and picks—such as the Clippers’ or Rockets’ 2024 selection—would position the Cavaliers in a way that allows them to make additional moves while giving Bertans a chance to contribute to the rotation as a bench piece.
