The Athletic NBA Daily - Episode: Haliburton Injured + KD Destinations (June 18, 2025)

Introduction

In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosted by Dave DuFour alongside Sam Amick and Zena Keita, the team delves into the pivotal moments of the NBA Finals, focusing on critical player updates, significant trades, and the buzzing speculation surrounding Kevin Durant's potential future destinations. Released on June 18, 2025, this episode offers listeners an in-depth analysis of the current basketball landscape, enriched with expert insights and firsthand accounts.

NBA Finals Overview

Timestamp: 02:13

Dave DuFour opens the discussion by welcoming listeners to the NBA Finals, highlighting the intense competition between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The series has reached a crucial juncture with the Finals poised to swing back to Indianapolis.

Sam Amick's Insights: Sam Amick, The Athletic’s senior national NBA writer, provides his expert take on the series' progression. He remarks, “nobody thought the Pacers could push this thing like they have in this series” (05:51), emphasizing the Thunder's dominance and the unexpected resilience of the Pacers.

Atmosphere and Style of Play: Sam expresses his enthusiasm for the Finals, stating, “it's legendary stuff where, you know, this is what you should want as a fan, is guys putting everything on the line and the underdog maybe pushing it to a possible upset” (05:51). He appreciates the high level of competition and the opportunity it presents for the NBA to showcase emerging stars and dynamic gameplay.

Tyrese Halliburton's Injury

Timestamp: 02:13 - 12:27

A significant development unfolds as Tyrese Halliburton of the Indiana Pacers faces a potential calf strain just before Game Six. The injury casts uncertainty over the Pacers' lineup and strategy moving forward.

Detailed Breakdown:

• Pre-Record Information: Dave informs the audience about the injury news, mentioning, “It does appear as if Tyrese Halliburton is potentially been diagnosed with a calf sprain or calf strain. He's going to have an MRI” (02:27).

• Sam's Firsthand Account: Sam shares his observations after spending time with Halliburton, describing him as “looked like an old man who was on a Sunday stroll” (03:06). He notes Halliburton's determination to play, quoting him: “if I'm walking, I'm playing” (04:06).

• Impact on the Pacers: Sam discusses the strategic implications, stating, “Rick Carlisle is going to have to make sure that he’s putting the best guys on the floor, depending on how Tyrese's health is” (04:36). He emphasizes the challenge the Pacers face in covering for Halliburton’s potential absence, especially against a formidable Thunder team.

• Team Morale and Performance: Reflecting on Halliburton’s performance in Game Five, Sam remarks, “everyone could see the impact” (04:36), indicating that while Halliburton has shown grit, his injury significantly affects the Pacers' gameplay and defensive strategies.

• Series Outlook: Addressing the broader context, Sam opines, “I think chances are the Thunder celebration will probably be in the streets of Indy” (11:33), suggesting that the injury could tilt the series in favor of the Thunder, marking a potential end to the Finals.

Desmond Bain Trade

Timestamp: 16:24 - 22:40

Transitioning from the Finals, the conversation shifts to a surprising trade involving Desmond Bain, capturing the attention of NBA fans and analysts alike.

Trade Details and Impact:

• Orlando's Acquisition: Dave introduces the topic: “I did not have Desmond Bain getting traded on my bingo card anywhere” (16:24). Sam elaborates, highlighting Orlando's need for improved shooting, stating, “Orlando obviously just had one glaring weakness, lack of shooting” (17:03). Bain's addition not only bolsters Orlando’s offense but also aligns with their strong defensive framework.

• Memphis Grizzlies' Strategy: Discussing Memphis's side, Sam notes, “they got the price to keep it quiet and get it done” (18:34). He praises the Grizzlies for navigating the trade effectively, acquiring valuable assets like the KCP contract and the Phoenix 2026 pick, which enhance their future prospects.

• Strategic Analysis: An unnamed analyst in the conversation questions whether Memphis's moves signify a deeper shift, pondering, “is KCP enough, or what else is there out there in terms of your targets that you're looking to move?” (21:38). Sam responds by acknowledging the Grizzlies' precarious position, “they’re in a tricky spot because they got to pay Jaren here pretty soon” (20:12), hinting at potential future trades if the team doesn't perform as hoped.

• Future Implications: The discussion raises concerns about the Grizzlies' trajectory, with the analyst stating, “this team has been a first-round exit team for the last five years” (21:38). Sam counters by emphasizing the uncertainty in Memphis’s front office strategies, suggesting that “Zach Kliman is doing here front office wise, and he certainly might have a plan that we just don’t know of now” (20:12).

Kevin Durant Destinations

Timestamp: 22:40 - 28:49

The episode delves into the highly speculated topic of Kevin Durant's potential destinations, a subject of intense interest in the NBA community.

Potential Teams:

• List of Contenders: Sam outlines the primary contenders for Durant’s future, including San Antonio, Houston, and Miami. He adds, “we have intel for sure that, you know, Kevin has indicated to people that if you had to pick a team on the list that was above the others, that it would be San Antonio” (23:20).

• San Antonio Spurs: Highlighting the Spurs, Sam remarks on De'Aaron Fox's reluctance to trade key players, “the Spurs have already shown that they have zero interest in really giving up any of their young core” (25:43). This makes acquiring Durant challenging, as San Antonio prefers creative trade solutions without sidelining their foundational players.

• Miami Heat: The prospect of Durant joining Miami is discussed, with Dave noting, “It feels to me like it's going to wind up being Miami” (25:43). However, Sam critiques the potential fit, mentioning Miami’s roster limitations, “I’m not excited about, you know, Duncan Robinson, Andrew coming back” (25:43), questioning the synergy between Durant and Miami’s existing players.

• Minnesota Timberwolves: Sam explores Minnesota as a candidate, acknowledging Phoenix Suns' disinterest, “Kevin Durant is signaling that he's not a team that he's willing to put on his list” (25:43). He points out the Timberwolves' need to make attractive offers, suggesting possible package deals including Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle.

Current Status and Future Prospects:

• Phase Two Negotiations: Sam details the current negotiation phase, “Phase two is that we're not feeling this now. We kind of need you to meet us in the middle a little bit” (25:43), indicating that initial offers from contenders are not meeting Durant's expectations.

• Timing and Expectations: With the NBA Draft approaching, the urgency for Durant's decision intensifies. Sam anticipates, “everyone's expecting this to happen certainly before draft night” (27:52), suggesting that a resolution is imminent, though complexities remain due to ongoing negotiations and strategic trade considerations.

Dave’s Perspective: Dave concurs on the inevitability of Durant’s move, asserting, “they have to move KD. Everyone knows that they have to move KD” (25:43). He underscores Durant's age and injury history as factors that Phoenix Suns may be reluctant to fully invest in him, stating, “this isn't a guy that you're going to mortgage, you know, your entire franchise for” (25:43).

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with reflections on the dynamic nature of the NBA offseason. Dave humorously remarks on the hectic summer ahead, “I think it's going to be a chaotic summer” (28:49), before signing off with gratitude towards Sam Amick and Zena Keita. Listeners are left with a comprehensive understanding of the current state of the NBA Finals, the implications of Tyrese Halliburton’s injury, the strategic movements involving Desmond Bain, and the high-stakes speculation surrounding Kevin Durant’s next chapter.

Notable Quotes:

• Sam Amick on Halliburton’s Injury: “if I'm walking, I'm playing” (04:06)
• Sam on the Finals Atmosphere: “This is legendary stuff where, you know, this is what you should want as a fan” (05:51)
• Sam on Desmond Bain Trade: “Orlando obviously just had one glaring weakness, lack of shooting” (17:03)
• Sam on Kevin Durant’s Potential Move: “Kevin Durant is signaling that he's not a team that he's willing to put on his list” (25:43)

This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily offers a nuanced and thorough exploration of pivotal NBA narratives, making it an essential listen for enthusiasts seeking in-depth analysis and expert commentary.