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An anonymous Western Conference NBA executive has suggested that the Phoenix Suns could still be in the mix to land Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant.
In other news, the NBA has rescinded a questionable technical foul that was called against Boston Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum.
On that note, here are the latest news stories from around the NBA as of Nov. 16th, 2022.
NBA executive believes Phoenix Suns could still be in the mix for Kevin Durant
The Phoenix Suns were one of the NBA contenders most engaged in trade talks for Kevin Durant in the offseason. However, Brooklyn later decided to keep Durant alongside fellow stars Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons to try and contend this season.
That hasn’t worked out too well for the Nets so far, though, as they are just 6-9 and 12th in the Eastern Conference. This has caused the Kevin Durant trade speculation to heat back up. According to one anonymous Western Conference NBA executive, the Suns still make the most sense for Durant if he is traded.
“(Deandre) Ayton always made the most sense as a return piece for the Nets,” the executive said via Heavy.com's Sean Deveney.
The Suns are 8-5 and fourth in the Western Conference, but they have a big hole at the forward spot.
Veteran forward Jae Crowder remains away from the team as he awaits a trade. Meanwhile, young sharpshooting forward Cam Johnson is out with a torn meniscus. So perhaps the Suns will once again put together a trade package built around Deandre Ayton and future picks for Durant.
For Sean Deveney's full report, click here.
NBA rescinds Jayson Tatum's latest technical foul
The NBA announced Monday night that it is rescinding a technical foul that was called on Jayson Tatum on Monday night. The technical foul occurred in the second quarter of the Celtics' 126-122 win over the OKC Thunder. Tatum received the technical for clapping his hands as he was frustrated with himself for missing a layup.
Tatum later spoke about the questionable technical foul in his postgame interview.
"Anybody in the arena, anybody watching the game could’ve seen I was frustrated with myself," Tatum said.
"I didn’t say anything, I didn’t look at him. So, after the game, you can just laugh it off when you see it," Tatum continued.
The technical would have marked Tatum’s fourth in 14 games. The NBA automatically suspends players for one game after they reach 16 technical fouls in a season. So luckily for the Celtics, the league corrected the mistake.
Julius Randle organized a players-only dinner after Knicks' loss to Thunder
Following the New York Knicks' embarassing 145-135 home loss to the OKC Thunder on Sunday, the Knicks dropped below .500 (6-7). However, Knicks forward Julius Randle tried his best to boost team morale following the game as he reportedly organized a players-only dinner for Knicks players.
"It was good, good to have a team dinner like that," Knicks wing RJ Barrett said, via Zach Braziller of the New York Post.
"Try to figure this out the best that we can. We all care, trying to get this going on the right track," Barrett continued.
On Tuesday night, the Knicks started a five-game Western Conference road trip against the Utah Jazz. They came away with a 118-111 win in Utah against a competitive Jazz team to get back to .500 (7-7) on the season.
So hopefully, for Knicks fans, the team will be able to continue its positive momentum on Wednesday night in Denver.
Nikola Jokic enters NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols
NBA fans were looking forward to a double-header between superstars Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic on Friday and Sunday. But it appears that Jokic may be in danger of missing both games.
The Nuggets have announced that reigning back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has entered the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols. Jokic has already been ruled out for Denver’s game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday. He joins Nuggets guard Bones Hyland who is already in protocols.
It's certainly a tough blow for the Nuggets, who currently sit at 9-4 and second in the Western Conference. Jokic is averaging 20.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game through 13 games.
Last season, the Nuggets finished just 2-6 in games without Jokic. So hopefully for Nuggets fans, Jokic won’t need to miss too much time.
Desmond Bane out for at least 2-3 weeks with toe sprain
Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Desmond Bane is expected to miss the next two to three weeks with a Grade 2 right big toe sprain. Bane’s injury occurred during the Grizzlies’ 1114-103 win over Minnesota on Friday. Bane then sat out Memphis’ Sunday's loss to Washington as he awaited his diagnosis, which has since been confirmed by the team.
This is extremely tough news for Grizzlies fans as Desmond Bane was in the middle of a breakout season for Memphis. Bane is averaging career-highs of 24.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.8 3-pointers per game while also shooting a career-best 45.1% from deep. He was even starting to gain some buzz as a potential first-time All-Star.
Bane’s injury also came just before Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. was set to make his return from a right foot fracture. Jackson has since made his season debut on Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. He finished with seven points, six rebounds, and five blocks, however, he shot just 3-for-14 (21.4%).
The Grizzlies went on to lose the game 113-102 against a Pelicans team that was missing All-Star forward Zion Williamson. This came despite a 36-point performance from Grizzlies All-Star guard Ja Morant. The loss dropped Memphis to 9-6 and sixth in the Western Conference. With Desmond Bane sidelined for the next few weeks, the Grizzlies will now need someone else to step up offensively to help out Morant.
Guess the Lakers players!
