Nets governor Joe Tsai supports front office in Durant trade talks. Mitchell trade dilemma looms larger. No deal imminent in LeBron James contract extension, plus WNBPA Pres. releases statement after Sparks players sleep in airport.
Nets governor Joe Tsai supports front office and coaching staff in Durant trade talks
Governor for the Brooklyn Nets Joe Tsai voiced his support for the organization's front office and coaching staff after Kevin Durant gave Tsai an ultimatum between choosing him or the team's general manager and coach. Tsai and Durant recently met, and Kevin reiterated his desire to be traded and stated the ultimatum, ESPN confirmed.
"Our front office and coaching staff have my support," Tsai tweeted on Monday. "We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets."
Donovan Mitchell trade dilemma
The New York Knicks are reportedly willing to include 24-year-old Obi Toppin in a trade to acquire Donovan Mitchell but are not willing to include Quentin Grimes as part of the deal. They selected the 22-year-old, 6-foot-4 Grimesat No. 25 in the 2021 draft. However, Utah has insisted they want Grimes, but the Nets say he is off limits, CBSSports reported.
No deal imminent in LeBron James contract extension
Although Lebron James became eligible for a contract extension on Thursday, August 4, there is currently no contract extension agreement that looks imminent between the superstar and the Los Angeles Lakers, CBSSports reported. According to James' agent, a contract talks meeting with the Lakers general manager was "productive."
Nonetheless, there's still a lot of time on the table, as the deadline is June 30, 2023. Still, James is a player that any franchise would want to lock down.
WNBPA Pres. releases statement after Sparks players sleep in airport
WNBPA president and Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike issued a statement after half of the team was forced to sleep in the airport overnight after the club's flight to Los Angeles was canceled at 1 AM following several delays, Sports Illustrated reported. A number of WNBA teams have endured traveling woes this season. Ogwumike pointed out that commercial travel has remained a "significant burden on our players and their bodies" amid these unprecedented times, as the ongoing pandemic continues to make traveling a high-risk proposition.
"It’s not just a basketball issue," Ogwumike said, "it's a serious health and safety concern that must be remedied."