Inside Latrell Sprewell's decision to turn down a $21M NBA contract, Mo Bamba unveiled a new basketball facility in West Africa, and the biggest losers in the Kevin Durant saga.

Finish the week out strong!

LATRELL SPREWELL

Inside Latrell Sprewell's Decision to Turn Down a $21M NBA Contract

In 2003, a few years into a five-year $62M contract, Latrell Sprewell was traded to the Timberwolves to form a Big 3 alongside Kevin Garnett and Sam Cassell.

Sprewell was no longer the First-Team All-NBAer of old, but he still had plenty left in the tank. Sprewell’s first season in Minnesota saw him average 16.8 PPG before dropping to 12.8 the following season. Despite this drop-off in production, the T-Wolves made the Western Conference Finals, and the team offered him an extension.

They put forth a three-year contract extension worth $21M, and to say it was poorly received would be an understatement. Sprewell was so insulted by what he perceived as a lowball offer that when he declined he famously said: “I have a family to feed.”

Even though his numbers had dipped, multiple other teams still made offers, but Sprewell and agent Bob Gist declined them all. Allegedly, Gist made it clear to any interested teams that Sprewell wouldn’t accept anything involving a “$5 million mid-level exception,” as that number was “a level beneath which [Sprewell] would not stoop or kneel!”

By Sprewell and his agent’s standards, a suitable contract never came, and he ended up never playing in the NBA again.

MO BAMBA

Mo Bamba Unveiled a New Basketball Facility in West Africa

Mo Bamba alongside The Mo Bamba Foundation have created a new basketball facility at the SOS Village Abobo-Gare in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The facility began construction in April and features two FIBA-spec basketball courts and will serve over 200 children daily. Additionally, the courts' construction rehabilitated electricity and plumbing throughout the village. 

In addition to the court and its basketball clinics, Bamba donated over 100 pairs of basketball shoes from his Magic teammates and 100 high-performance insoles. He also helped run a COVID vaccine awareness program to encourage the local youth to get vaccinated.

Speaking about the facility, the Orlando Magic Center said: “This is an extremely personal project and I’m proud of how it’s all reflected in the courts.” He added: “Everything down to the smallest of details represents an important part of my life, from my African roots, to my Harlem upbringing, to honoring my family who made this all possible.”

The courts were funded by The Mo Bamba foundation alongside other donors, but the project isn't complete yet. Up next is the construction of bleachers and stadium lighting, and additional donations are welcome.

KEVIN DURANT

The Biggest Losers in the Kevin Durant Saga

Kevin Durant staying in Brooklyn is a tremendous win for the Nets and their fanbase, but there was plenty of collateral damage along the way. Here are some of the biggest losers from the blockbuster trade that wasn’t.

The Los Angeles Lakers:

The Lakers are stuck in an impossible situation with Russell Westbrook’s contract and were nearly handed a gift from above with the opportunity to swap him out for Kyrie Irving. Ultimately, KD staying put all but guarantees that this move is no longer an option, which severely limits their ability to compete for this year’s championship.

The Phoenix Suns:

Anytime you are at the top of a player like KD’s trade list, and you fail to get a deal done, it’s a big disappointment. The Suns are a great team and were a favorite to win it all last year, but their window is quickly closing. A trio of KD, Booker, and CP3 would’ve been formidable, even in an increasingly competitive Western Conference.

The Celtics’ relationship with Jaylen Brown:

You gotta feel for Brown with this one. He’s obviously a very talented player, which is why he’s been a recurring name in trade discussions for marquee names like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis. After playing a vital role in a run to last year’s NBA Finals, it’d be hard not to feel unappreciated or disrespected. Due to the unique nature of his contract, he has no financial reason to extend his contract and will 100% become a free agent, and these kinds of actions might be the thing that pushes him to a new team.

THE RUMOR MILL

Kostas Antetokounmpo reportedly drawing the Chicago Bulls' interest

Donovan Mitchell trade rumors: Jazz's Danny Ainge wants Knicks to remove draft-pick protections, per report

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