NBA News Today: LeBron James thinks Kevin Durant can pass his scoring record, Nets expected to be buyers at trade deadline, and more
LA Lakers star forward LeBron James thinks Brooklyn Nets superstar forward Kevin Durant could surpass his eventual NBA all-time scoring record.
Meanwhile, the Nets are still expected to be buyers in the trade market following Durant’s recent MCL injury.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of Jan. 12, 2023.
LeBron James thinks Kevin Durant can surpass his eventual NBA all-time scoring record
LeBron James is expected to surpass NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 career points) to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer later this season. James’ eventual record is then expected to hold up for a long time considering he hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down yet.
However, some have still speculated about which player has the best chance to one day surpass James. According to James, via his recent interview with ESPN, the most likely player to do so is Kevin Durant.
"I mean, KD is the first thing that comes to mind for sure," James said.
"His name is not easy money and slim reaper for no reason. He does it so effortlessly. His ability to shoot the three ball, shoot the mid-range, get to the paint, but also shoot 85-90 from the free throw line. Those are key ingredients and the most important is about being available on the floor," James continued.
James then went on to mention a few of the other top scorers in the league. These included Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving. However, James noted that it also takes a little bit of luck in regard to health.
"We have a lot of great scorers in our league, with KD being one of them, Kyrie, Luka, Embiid, Giannis, they put numbers on the board, but you have to have a little luck as well," James said. "We all know that health is the most important in life, not only in sports, but in life in general."
LeBron James on who could surpass him on the All-Time scoring list:
"KD's the first name that comes to mind for sure. Kevin Durant's name is 'Easy Money' & 'Slim Reaper' for a reason... Kyrie, Luka, Embiid, Giannis. Those guys put numbers on the board."
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Among the players James mentioned, Durant is the only player who is even close to him on the all-time scoring list. However, James has still scored 37,965 career points (second all-time) while Durant has scored 26,684 career points (14th all-time). James is 38 while Durant is 34, but James has stayed a lot healthier than Durant throughout his career. So it’s not a given that Durant will challenge James.
Also read: Skip Bayless calls out LeBron James for 'selling the narrative' of not chasing scoring title while LA Lakers lose
Nets expected to be buyers at NBA trade deadline
The Brooklyn Nets have been rolling, going 14-1 in their last 15 games. However, they recently received a tough blow with the news that Kevin Durant will miss around a month with a right MCL sprain.
Despite Durant’s injury, the Nets’ plans to be buyers at the trade deadline don’t appear to have changed, though. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets will still be active at the deadline, which is set for Feb. 9.
Wojnarowski discussed the Nets’ trade mindset during a recent episode of ESPN NBA Countdown.
"Brooklyn, like a lot of other contenders out there in both conferences, see a marketplace right now that is much more of a sellers than a buyers market," Wojnarowski said.
However, Wojnarowski added that Brooklyn is waiting for more teams to start making their players available as the deadline approaches.
"Just not enough teams have really made the decision that they are going to be sellers. That usually happens closer to that February 9th deadline,” Wojnarowski said.
In terms of what type of move Brooklyn may make, Wojnarowski speculated that it could be a move to bolster their frontcourt.
"I think Brooklyn is going to be active. I think they're going to upgrade, particularly in the front court," Wojnarowski said.
It remains to be seen exactly which players the Nets end up targeting.
Miami Heat set NBA all-time free throw record
Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat made NBA history at the free-throw line in their 112-111 victory over OKC on Tuesday night.
Butler shot a perfect 23-for-23 (100.0%) at the line, while the rest of his teammates shot a perfect 17-for-17 (100.0%). In doing so, the Heat set the record for most free throws made by a team without a miss at 40-for-40 (100.0%). The old record (39-for-39) was previously set by Utah in 1982.
Following the game, Butler had no idea that his team had set the record. Instead, he was just happy that Miami pulled off a last-second victory. This came after Butler made a clutch-and-one basket to win the game for the Heat.
"I had no idea. I'm more excited that we won this game by one point," Butler said.
Meanwhile, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was also surprised by his team's record-breaking shooting performance.
"I didn't realize we hadn't missed a free throw," Spoelstra said. "We've been a very good free-throw shooting team all year, but that's crazy."
With the win, Miami improved to 22-20 and eighth in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, OKC fell to 18-23 and 13th in the Western Conference.
Warriors interested in adding size and shooting at NBA trade deadline
The Golden State Warriors are in the middle of a disappointing season following their 2022 NBA title. After their 125-113 loss to Phoenix on Tuesday, the Warriors sit at just 20-21 and eighth in the Western Conference. However, reinforcements could be on the way soon.
According to Monte Poole of NBC Sports, the Warriors have been "active" in the trade market so far. Poole added that the Warriors have “a desire to add size and shooting."
This comes following Warriors coach Steve Kerr's comments on Monday regarding the team's lack of depth in the frontcourt.
"I'm concerned about Draymond (Green) and (Kevon) Loon(ey) right now," Kerr said. "They've been playing such heavy minutes with the number of bigs who have been out over the last few weeks. It's that time of year anyway, that's difficult. ... The guys who have been playing heavy minutes absolutely need a break, but you've got to do what you've got to do."
The Warriors have just under a month left to decide which players to target by the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
Kings coach Mike Brown upset with first NBA All-Star Game fan voting returns
The Sacramento Kings have been one of the surprise teams in the NBA this season with a 22-18 record and standing fourth in the Western Conference currently. They have done so on the backs of stars De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Fox is averaging 23.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game on 50.2% shooting. Meanwhile, Sabonis is averaging 18.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game on 61.9% shooting.
However, neither Fox nor Sabonis’ names appeared in the first returns of the NBA All-Star Game fan voting. Meanwhile, role players like Austin Reaves and Kevon Looney made the cut.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant lead their respective conferences in the first fan returns of #NBAAllStar Voting presented by AT&T.
Fans account for 50% of the vote to decide All-Star starters. NBA players and a media panel account for 25% each.
The next fan update is Jan. 12. https://t.co/osVeUGI8H4
This prompted Kings coach Mike Brown to call out fans for their questionable voting choices.
"Them fans don't know what they're talking about," Brown said, via the Sacramento Bee.
Kings coach Mike Brown's response to De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis being outside the top 10 in fan voting for the All-Star Game:
"Them fans don't know what they're talking about."
Both Fox and Sabonis still have good chances to make the West All-Star team as reserves. Regardless, Kings fans will at least be able to enjoy watching their team possibly make the playoffs for the first time since 2006.