KEVIN DURANT

SOURCE SPORTS: Deandre Ayton Signs $133M Offer Sheet and Potentially Cancels Any Durant to Suns Move

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The NBA offseason continues to run wild. Phoenix Suns restricted free agent center Deandre Ayton has signed a four-year, $133 million maximum contract extension with the Indiana Pacers. The contract is the largest offer sheet in NBA history.

According to ESPN, the previous largest offer sheet was four years and $107 million inked between Otto Porter Jr. and the Brooklyn Nets. His team, the Washington Wizards, matched the offer. The Phoenix Suns are reportedly going to match the Pacers’ offer to Ayton.

The offer sheet cancels out any sign and trade deal involving Ayton to the Nets in exchange for Kevin Durant or anywhere else. If the Suns match, Ayton cannot be traded until January 15, and he has the power to veto any trade for a year.

Last month, Kevin Durant sent ripple effects through the NBA when he formally asked for a trade. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, KD made a direct trade request to Nets owner Joe Tsai. Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks is working alongside Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman to find a new home for Durant. KD named the Phoenix Suns and Miami HEAT as where he would like to play next. ESPN noted over half of the NBA contacted the Nets to check into Durant’s availability.

The belief then was that Ayton could be a key piece to the Suns landing Durant. That looks to be all but lost now.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kevin Durant Directly Asks Nets Owner Joe Tsai for a Trade

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Kevin Durant Directly Asks Nets Owner Joe Tsai for a Trade

Kevin Durant sent ripple effects through the NBA world on Thursday when he formally asked for a trade. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, KD made a direct trade request to Nets owner Joe Tsai.

Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks is working alongside Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman to find a new home for Durant. KD has named the Phoenix Suns and Miami HEAT as where he would like to play next. ESPN noted over half of the NBA contacted the Nets to check into Durant’s availability.

Durant’s trade request comes just days after Nets co-star Kyrie Irving decided to return to the team to “full his commitment” to the organization and Durant. Now the belief is Irving will also be moved. Options for Irving currently include the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.

Durant and Irving reportedly have had no contact with the Nets after opting into his deal. There is a small possibility that the Nets could move Irving and Durant together.

Last year, Durant averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 points, and 6.4 assists. Durant is under contract for the next four years.

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Kevin Durant And His Mom Wanda Celebrate Inaugural Class of College Track of the Kevin Durant Foundation

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On Monday, June 27, NBA star Kevin Durant and his mother Wanda Durant were on hand to celebrate 51 Prince George’s County high school seniors who will be attending college this fall were honored at The Durant Center.

The Durant Center, located in the center of Kevin Durant’s hometown of Suitland, Maryland, was established by the educational equity charity College Track in 2018 in collaboration with the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation, Prince George’s County, and Prince George’s County Public Schools.

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Although Prince George’s County kids are extremely talented, they do not have the opportunities to benefit the local economy with their knowledge and abilities. Currently, just 40% of citizens have a bachelor’s degree, while 87 percent have a high school diploma. 230 scholars are being prepared through College Track at the Durant Center to acquire a bachelor’s degree for the first time in their families and create a future of their choosing. The extensive academic, financial, and social-emotional programming offered by College Track—delivered over ten years, from ninth grade through college graduation—systematically dismantles obstacles to completing college and directs students to make the most of their bachelor’s degree in pursuit of a life of opportunity, control, and choice.

“Meaningful accomplishments take time,” said Kevin Durant. “I’m proud of our scholars who dug deep over the past four years, through some really challenging times, to graduate from high school and now to pursue their college dreams. I can’t wait to see what they’ll accomplish next. We’ll be at their side as they work towards their next goals.”

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“The inaugural event was phenomenal to watch, and it was inspiring for us to continue to do the work that is so needed in our communities,” said Wanda Durant. “The work that my son has chosen will change the trajectory of the lives of the students and their families for generations to come. I am honored and privileged to be a part of this partnership with College Track.”

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The 51 scholars from the Durant Center are transferring to a variety of universities, including American University, Bowie State University, Howard University, Northwestern University, Sewanee: The University of the South, Towson University, Tulane University, University of Maryland, and others.

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SOURCE SPORTS: 3 Reasons Why the Brooklyn Nets Are Home Early From the NBA Playoffs

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Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament

From projected NBA champions to a first-round sweep, the Brooklyn Nets season is over. The Boston Celtics swept the Nets in 4 games in the NBA playoffs first round. The Nets were the only team to be swept in the first round of the playoffs. Here are three reasons why the Nets are off to Cancun.

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Lack Of Chemistry

The Net’s lack of playing time together finally showed its ugly head going up against a Celtics core that has been playing ball together for several years. The Nets were without Kyrie Irving for most of the season at home, and Kevin Durant missed significant time with a knee injury. The two All-Stars didn’t get time to gel much this season.

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James Harden Factor

Midway last season, the Nets formed a big three by acquiring Harden, who, midway through this season, already had a change of heart that led him to Philadelphia. To first get Harden, the Nets had to give up many assets for him, and when they traded him, they were stuck with a disgruntled Ben Simmons.

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Lack Of Size

The Nets are a small team, and the Celtics took every advantage of it. The Celtics outrebounded the Nets, bullied the Nets, and out-hustled the Nets for four straight games. Durant and Irving were harassed and contested on every possession, and many turnovers both stars had shown.

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Nike Reveals the KD 15 Sneaker

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Kevin Durant has laced up a new pair of Nikes. Making their debut in Game 1, Kevin Durant and Nike are set to introduce fans to the Nike KD 15. The new sneaker is designed by Ben Nethongkome and will be released in the first colorway, “Beginnings,” this summer for $160.

The new sneaker features a cushioning package with full-length Zoom Air Strobel, exterior wraps for foot containment, and a reduced-layer upper that hugs feet for mobility. The heel also has 3d-printed tech for Kevin Durant.

You can see the new sneaker below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kevin Durant Believes the Thunder and Warriors Should Retire His Jersey Number

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Kevin Durant Enters Seven-Day Quarantine After COVID Exposure

Only thirteen NBA players have had their number retired from multiple teams. Kevin Durant believes he should be number fourteen.

In an interview with The Ringer, the 12-time All-Star said he thinks his jersey should be retired in Oklahoma City and San Francisco. 

“OKC has to retire my jersey,” Durant said. “It wouldn’t even be good for the game of basketball if they didn’t. The same with Golden State. I’m still doing what I’m doing here in Brooklyn, but if I continue on what I’m doing four or five years, then I’ll feel the same way about this program. I better have a home. Because I feel like I am basketball. I breathe it. This is my DNA. I put in the time and respect and love for each one of these programs on and off the floor to get that type of recognition. If I don’t do it, then it’s personal.”

Durant is an all-time great talent on the court. He is entitled to have his opinion and could be on to something here. The Golden State Warriors have already gone on record stating they will eventually retire his number. The Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t gone on records about retiring Durant’s number but should consider it. Durant won his first league MVP while with the Thunder. He helped lead the team to its last NBA Finals appearance in 2012. Will the Thunder eventually retire Durant’s number? Who knows, but the case for doing it is a solid one.

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T-Shyne Shares The Tracklist For His Kevin Durant-Produced Album, ‘Confetti Nights’

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Young Thug‘s YSL Records artist T-Shyne drops his debut album Confetti Nights in two weeks, on April 1, but first, the New York rapper has shared the tracklist for the Kevin Durant-produced project. Coming in at 15 tracks, the album might be something of a departure for YSL Records, which is made up primarily of Thugger’s fellow ATLiens, but it manages to stay relatively close to home with its impressive guest list. Features on the album include 6lack, Dougie F, Gunna, JID, Meek Mill, Nav, Swae Lee, and of course Young Thug.

Of the 15 songs, five have been previously released: “Top 5,” “Feed The Fam,” “30 For 30,” “That Go! (which he previously performed on UPROXX Sessions),” and “Sugar Water” featuring Young Thug. Naturally, as T-Shyne’s benefactor, Thugger appears on the album three times, on “Fighting Demons,” “That Go!” and “Sugar Water.”

In a recent interview with AllHipHop, T-Shyne broke down the album’s concept, saying, “It’s that championship mentality. That feeling, that Mamba mentality. The story of Confetti Nights goes from a rookie going through the seasons. At first, he might not get no playing time. Eventually, you start doing your thing and then go on to win championships. The image I originally wanted for the cover was this picture of Kobe, it’s him with his hands up and all the confetti falling down. Rest in peace, Kobe.”

Confetti Nights is due 4/1 via YSL Records and 300 Entertainment.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Kevin Durant Executive Produced YSL Records Rapper T-Shyne’s New Album With Young Thug

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The connections between the modern NBA and hip-hop are growing all the time and with the latest announcement out of Young Thug’s YSL Records camp, they’ve become the most pronounced they’ve ever been. YSL Records fixture T-Shyne is set to release his new album, Confetti Nights, which is naturally executive-produced by YSL’s founder Young Thug on April 1… along with some help from none other than the Brooklyn Nets’ recently returned All-Star forward, Kevin Durant.

It’s not the first time that an NBA player applied their talents to musical curation. In 2021, Durant’s fellow NBA champ Kawhi Leonard executive produced the Culture Jam Vol. 1 compilation featuring A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Gunna, Lil Uzi Vert, Polo G, Rod Wave, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard, the All-Star guard for the Portland Trailblazers, has had a flourishing rap career as Dame D.O.L.L.A., dropping four studio albums that featured Lil Wayne, Raphael Saadiq, and Snoop Dogg.

In addition to producing albums, Durant has also been a movie producer, commissioning the Basketball County: Something In The Water documentary in 2020. Durant’s music connections came in handy there, too, as he recruited fellow Prince George’s County native IDK as music supervisor for the film.

Meanwhile, YSL Records is coming off a stellar 2021 that saw Young Thug’s Punk on the Billboard charts, followed this year by Gunna’s outstanding DS4EVER. With plenty of the roster yet to release — Lil Keed, Strick, and others are especially anticipated — 2022 figures to be another pivotal year for the Atlanta-based label.

Confetti Nights is due 4/1 via YSL and 300 Entertainment.

Reazy Renegade Taps Rich The Kid & K Camp on “Ballin’ (Kevin Durant)”

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Reazy Renegade Taps Rich The Kid & K Camp on “Ballin’ (Kevin Durant)”

For his most significant release yet, rising Miami producer-turned-recording artist Reazy Renegade hits the court with hip hop stars K Camp and Rich The Kid in the release of his new single, titled “Ballin’ (Kevin Durant),” out now via Hits Only Music & Mastermind Artists / EMPIRE.

MORE: K Camp Enlist PnB Rock, Trey Songz, Mooski and More on New “FLOAT” LP

The song delivers a heavy bass foundation like a ball dripping down the court with the three artists saucing it with basketball-inspired rhymes that praise the popular Brooklyn Nets’ power forward. K Camp and his signature sing-a-long hook style spit, “Ball like I’m Brook, ball like Kevin Durant (Let’s go) / That boy a dub, I know he don’t stand a chance (Uh-huh) / Glock in my hand, keep a knot in my pants (A Glock in my-) / Glock in my hand, keep a knot in my- (Skrrt, hey).”

Reazy follows Camp with a trendy obnoxious flow, rapping, “I walk with a dirty stick / Pull up at a bank with a bankroll lit (Skrrt) / I was eighteen, hit a hundred band lick (Lick) / These n*ggas ain’t even rich as my bitch (My bitch).”

Rich The Kid appears on the track courtesy of Rich Forever, and K Camp appears courtesy of Interscope Records.

MORE: Lil Wayne and Rich the Kid Unite for ‘Trust Fund Babies’ Album

On the production side, Reazy’s resume includes a laundry list of a-listers, like Young Dolph, Fabolous, and Dave East. In 2021, he released a few buzzworthy songs in “Kiss & Make Up” and “C.O.D.” This year, with the popularity of “Ballin,” Reazy Renegade preps a forthcoming debut album, expected late-2022.

Stream “Ballin’ (Kevin Durant)” below and follow Reazy Renegade on social media for daily updates and more. 

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