NBA News Roundup, Thursday, August 8th: Kevin Durant speaks out on his move to the Brooklyn Nets, Domantas Sabonis keen to stay with the Pacers and more

The 2019-20 NBA season is still 10 weeks away, although the level of hype has already reached heights rarely seen.

Many of the NBA's top talents swapped teams during free agency, and the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers appear on a collision course after making a string of huge acquisitions over the past few months.

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets will be confident after signing Russell Westbrook, while the Utah Jazz is a team to watch having added Mike Conley.

Much of the business around the NBA has already been conducted, although smaller trades could be completed ahead of opening night. So, as the NBA gears up for the new season, here are all the latest rumors and news you need to know for August 8th.

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#3 Steph Curry backed to thrive alongside D’Angelo Russell

D'Angelo Russell enjoyed a breakout season with the Nets

The Golden State Warriors recent dominance appeared to be slipping throughout a mixed 18-19 season, and the teams 4-2 NBA Finals defeat to the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals added further credibility to the theory.

Nevertheless, the Warriors entered the summer hoping to keep their core talent intact for at least one more season, although DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Durant, Shaun Livingston, and Andre Iguodala all exited the franchise.

Yet, the team managed to complete a surprise deal for D’Angelo Russell, and Steph Curry’s trainer told NBC Sports that the All-star duo will thrive together despite possessing a similar skillset:

We’ve had D-Lo in for workouts, so we’ve had the opportunity to have them work together and kind of get to know each other. I think that backcourt pairing is going to be really nice.

Russell started his career with the Los Angeles Lakers and was expected to serve as the franchises point guard for the next decade. However, discipline issues and a lack of consistency convinced the Lakers to part with the young star after just two seasons.

However, Russell soon started to live up to his potential with the Nets, and the 18-19 was a real breakthrough as the guard averaged 21.1 points and 7.0 assists per game.

#2 Domantas Sabonis expects to sign a new deal with the Indiana Pacers

Domantas Sabonis has impressed during his two seasons with the Indiana Pacers

Domantas Sabonis joined the Indiana Pacers back in 2017 as part of the trade that sent Paul George to Oklahoma City.

After struggling to make much of an impact for the Thunder, the center wasn’t expected to develop into a key player in Indiana, although Sabonis has made a major impact from the Pacers bench.

Over 74 appearances last season, the 24-year-old averaged 14.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game and a leading EuroLeague journalist believes he will sign a new deal with the franchise:

Domantas Sabonis told he expects to sign an extension with Indiana Pacers this offseason, but he remains patient: „Like my dad said: "You did your job. You did your best and now you just have to wait". Now I can't do anything. I just need to be patient and wait.“

— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) August 7, 2019

Domantas Sabonis told he expects to sign an extension with Indiana Pacers this offseason, but he remains patient: „Like my dad said: "You did your job. You did your best and now you just have to wait". Now I can't do anything. I just need to be patient and wait.“

— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) August 7, 2019

Sabonis is entering the final season of the four-year 12 million contract that he signed as a rookie. The Pacers are believed to be keen to sign him to a new long term deal, although negotiations could be impacted by Myles Turners' extension talks.

#1 Kevin Durant explains why he opted to join the Brooklyn Nets

Kevin Durant spent three seasons with the Golden State Warriors

Alongside Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant was the NBA's most in-demand free agent of the summer.

The 2014 MVP was pursued throughout the year by the likes of the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks, although just hours into free agency, Durant announced that he was joining the Brooklyn Nets.

For the past month, Durant stayed quiet on his decision to head to Brooklyn, although during an interview with Yahoo Sports, the 30-year-old revealed that the Nets were the only team he considered:

If I was leaving the Warriors, it was always going to be for the Nets. They got the pieces and a creative front office. I just like what they were building.

The Nets also managed to sign Kyrie Irving in what proved to be a huge summer for the franchise.

Durant is expected to miss the entire 19-20 regular season but hasn't given up on returning for the playoffs.