NBA news has gone into overdrive as the deadline inches ever closer for players to pick up their options. Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook have made headlines recently as they have chosen to remain with their respective franchises for at least one more season.
With one eye on next season, franchises are gearing up for a busy summer. Many teams will make changes across the board in order to build a roster capable of contending for the title.
With that said, here is the NBA news round-up for June 29, 2022, brought to you by Sportskeeda.
Draymond Green believes Kevin Durant was key to their success
The Golden State Warriors were the team to beat in the three years that Kevin Durant played for them. The Warriors won the championship in 2017 and 2018, but injuries to Durant and Klay Thompson in the 2019 Finals prevented them from completing a three-peat.
Draymond Green, during an appearance on JJ Redick's podcast, stated that the Warriors wouldn't have had so much success without Durant.
"I don’t think the outside world gave Kevin enough credit. I think, if you came within our organization, Kevin was given all the credit. But the reality is, I don’t think that team wins another championship if Kevin doesn’t come. Now, you may say, ‘Oh, yeah, but you won the fourth one without Kevin.’ But there’s a gap in there where teams started to figure us out."
Ivica Zubac agrees to extension with the LA Clippers
The LA Clippers will have the services of Ivica Zubac for at least three more years as the center has agreed to a contract extension. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Zubac will sign a three-year extension worth $33 million.
The center is a pivotal part of the LA Clippers roster as they aim to get back into the mix of things in the upcoming season.
Indiana Pacers unsure about Miles Bridges
The Indiana Pacers are heading for a full-blown rebuild. They have been linked with a move for Miles Bridges from the Charlotte Hornets, but are unsure about giving him a large payday.
"The Pacers have mulled over making Bridges an offer, sources told B/R, but it's unclear whether Indiana will actually be willing to add such an expensive piece into their rebuild," Jake Fischer of The Bleacher Report said.
Malik Monk not certain to return to the LA Lakers
When you're part of the LA Lakers, everything you do becomes NBA news. Malik Monk was one of the few bright spots for the Lakers during the 2021-22 season and is expected to return for another season.
It was widely believed that Monk was ready to accept a lower salary to return to the Lakers, but, according to Jake Fischer of The Bleacher Report, this isn't set in stone.
"The Lakers would like to retain Malik Monk at their taxpayer mid-level, but Monk is also searching for more lucrative deals, sources said, despite telling Jovan Buha of The Athletic he'd be willing to return to Los Angeles on a discount," Fischer wrote.
LeBron James' tequila beats Michael Jordan's
LeBron James's tequila Lobos 1707 won the best Best Reposado Tequila Award in this year's Spirits Tequila San Francisco competition, defeating Michael Jordan's Cincoro Tequila. Over 5,000 brands participated in the event this year, where James' tequila was labeled the best.