Stephen A. Smith is dramatic, and Kevin Durant has approved it.
The NBA is stirring things up for the 2026 All-Star Game by introducing a Team USA vs. Team World format. It will pit the best American players against some of the top international talent in the league, and it’s generating a lot of buzz.
During a recent episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith expressed strong feelings about the upcoming event. He warned that the stakes are high and that if this change doesn’t succeed, it could lead to the NBA scrapping All-Star weekend altogether.
“If this doesn’t work, I think you’re going to see the NBA do away with All-Star weekend. And this era of players will forever be stained for the rest of their lives because All-Star weekend was banished because of a lack of effort,” Smith said.
He even suggested that this could leave a lasting negative mark on the current generation of players.
Dramatic https://t.co/6l250nqCAL
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) June 5, 2025
Kevin Durant, a 15-time All-Star himself, wasn’t having it. He quickly shot back at Smith’s comments with just one word: “Dramatic.”
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It looks like he thinks Smith might be overreacting a bit.
Many across the league have felt that the recent All-Star Games have lacked excitement, with players often holding back to avoid injuries. The NBA hopes this new format will bring back the joy and competitiveness of the event.
Clippers Emerge As Sleeper Team Looking To Land Kevin Durant
While Kevin Durant is not having it from Stephen A., his team might be looking to shake things up this offseason.
The Phoenix Suns are set to make a major move after a tough run that saw them miss out on the playoffs entirely. Despite boasting superstars like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, the team just couldn’t get it together last season.
Fans are eager for change, and it looks like the Suns are planning to give them just that.
Durant has been on the trading block as per the rumors. Speculation has been buzzing ever since the trade deadline, and many believe the Suns will take another serious look at moving him this summer.
Durant is still one of the league’s top talents, so it’s no surprise that multiple teams are interested in him.
The Clippers are a dark horse to watch in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, per @Gambo987
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 5, 2025
(h/t @esidery ) pic.twitter.com/gmiN2JMsUu
Among those teams, the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs have been mentioned often, but here’s where it gets interesting. According to Suns insider John Gambadoro, the Los Angeles Clippers have emerged as a potential sleeper team in the Durant discussions.
However, making a deal with the Clippers could be tricky. While they have the salaries to facilitate trade, they lack the draft picks and young talent that Phoenix might demand.
It seems that a deal would likely start with veteran forward Norman Powell as a key piece. But if the Suns and Clippers can bring a third team into the mix, it could open up more possibilities.
Also Read: Kevin Durant Trade Talks Heat Up As Suns Reportedly Lower Asking Price Amid Rockets’ Interest
