Some believe Steph Curry belongs in the goat conversation, but others disagree. Meanwhile, could Kevin Durant return to the Warriors? Zach LaVine re-signs with the Bulls, plus the latest NBA trades, signings, and acquisitions.
Steph Curry #2 on the GOAT list?
The debate about who is the greatest basketball player of all time is getting hotter. ESPN's Bobby Marks believes Warriors superstar Steph Curry, who just took home an NFL Finals MVP award, not only belongs on the list but should be in the number two slot, NBC Sports reported.
"I’m going to stun you with this take here," Marks warned the others on the "This Just In" panel during a segment of ESPN News on Monday. "I actually think Steph Curry is the second-best player of all time, right behind Michael Jordan."
Marks' comment, one would have to assume, would move Lebron James down to the number three slot. His next statement ended any assumptions.
"I would put Curry ahead of LeBron James right now," Marks clarified.
Zach LaVine re-signs with the Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have re-signed two-time NBA All-Star and two-time slam dunk contest champion Zach LaVine, 27, to a massive five-year contract extension, NBA.com reported.
The 6-foot-5 LaVine was the 44th best player in the nation coming out of high school, the 13th selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, and an Olympic gold medal winner.
"Chicago is my home," LaVine said on re-signing. "I think we've built something over the last, well, at least for me... five years. And over the last two, three built something."
"Being able to come back as a cornerstone piece and allowing them to get some of my insights, some of my input in pretty much constructing the roster to help me and help us win was really big for me," LaVine continued.
"I did my due diligence on my own time and looked at things and made a decision for me and my family," LaVine added. "My heart was in Chicago."
Celtics sign Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari
The Boston Celtics have added guard Malcolm Brogdon and forward Danilo Gallinari to their roster, NBA.com reports.
Malcolm Brogdon, 6-foot-5, now 29, was a second-round pick in 2016, playing with the Bucks through 2019, then with the Pacers through last season. He was the NBA rookie of the year in 2017.
Italy native Danilo Gallinari, 6-foot-10, now 33, was a first-round pick in 2008 and the 6th pick overall selected by the New York Knicks. He went on to play with the Nuggets, Clippers, and Thunder. He spent his last two years with the Hawks.
Will the Warriors land Durant?
Many pundits believe the Warriors have one of the best packages that could entice superstar forward Kevin Durant, bringing him back to a team he helped lead to two championships during his three-year stint from 2016-2019, NBC Sports reports.
Some believe the best bargaining chip the warriors have is Jordan Poole, although some believe they would be reluctant to let go. Other key young assets the warriors have to offer are Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman and Moses Moody.