Phoenix Suns Rumors
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Kevin Durant nearing return for Team USA debut this summer
Rich Kleiman, Kevin Durant’s agent, told ESPN that Durant has been working tirelessly to return to play and he could’ve played during Team USA’s games in London. After holding Durant out of Monday’s game against Germany, Kerr said Durant was “day-to-day” and that the plan was for him to have “a couple practices in a row and a scrimmage” before he’d be available.
Team USA is planning to have a contact practice Thursday in Paris where Durant can hopefully take the next step in his return. He suffered the calf strain a month ago. “The plan is for him to get in the scrimmage and see how he handles that,” Kerr said. “He looked good today and he did everything and got a lot of shots up and told me he’s feeling pretty good.”
As it stands now, the Celtics are currently projected to be close to $25 million over the second apron. Starting this season, teams who finish the season over the second apron will begin to have their future draft picks frozen (thus unable to be traded) as part of the penalties to prevent heavy spending over long periods of time. But if the Celtics were to subtract just one of the big salaries from their books moving forward, and replace it either with draft picks or players on inexpensive, rookie-scale contracts, it would quickly become very plausible for Boston to get below the second apron, giving the Celtics flexibility to continue adding to the roster. By comparison, the Suns are in a much different place. Bradley Beal is owed $160 million over the next three years and has a no-trade clause. The Suns’ players on midrange salaries, Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and Nassir Little, all have limited trade value, league sources told ESPN.
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Main Rumors 6hr ago
Chimezie Metu Spain bound
Chimezie Metu Spain bound
Evan Sidery: Chimezie Metu has signed an overseas contract with FC Barcelona. Metu spent this season with the Suns and Pistons averaging 6.5 points per game.
“Humbled and excited to be a part of the Suns organization and appreciate so many that have a part in this step in a basketball journey that has not chapters but volumes to be written,” Barry tweeted Tuesday evening. “Looking forward to the journey w/some incredible minds but moreover some incredible players.” Barry has been working for the Spurs as vice president of basketball operations since September 2018, but he has no previous NBA coaching experience. “And to the Spurs organization-there aren’t words there is only what has already been shared. It is family and it is community and it is knowing that there is a life bigger than basketball,” Barry tweeted Tuesday evening. “There is no place like SA and you helped raise three men, I am forever grateful.”
Suns hire Brent Barry as assistant coach
Adrian Wojnarowski: Brent Barry — who spent the past six seasons in the Spurs’ front office — is joining the Phoenix Suns as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Barry was part of two NBA titles in a 14-year playing career.
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Kevin Durant out vs. Serbia?
ClutchPoints: “I think [Team USA] gonna be playing Serbia without Kevin Durant… Steve Kerr met with him today and they decided he needs more time with that strained calf… They could fly in a replacement [for KD], that’s not gonna happen.” – Brian Windhorst
