Livingston’s gambling worsened with large amounts of money he earned in the NBA. High stakes card games of tunk, poker and bouree were commonplace with the players on team planes and in hotels to kill time. He said he gambled with the likes of Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler while playing for the Rockets. Livingston said a bouree card game went into a bad direction on a Suns private plane once when it led to a fight between his then-teammates Cliff Robinson against Penny Hardaway and Todd Day. “Me, Cliff, Penny and Todd were all playing bouree and the pot got up there to $30,000,” Livingston said. “And something was said to Todd by Cliff, who finally won a pot. We were beating Cliff every road trip. Someone said, ‘That post has to go back to [Day].’ Cliff went crazy. We had season-ticket holders on the plane. The Suns let family and anyone on the plane. A fight broke out and they grabbed each other. Cliff fell and Todd stomped him. It was crazy.”
Livingston’s gambling worsened with large amounts of …
June 27, 2022 | 6:42 pm EDT Update
Kyrie Irving opts in, won't become free agent
Kyrie Irving: Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is opting into his $37 million player option for the 2022-23 season, @TheAthletic @Stadium has learned. Irving is bypassing on multiple opt-in and trade scenarios to fulfill his four-year commitment to the Nets and Kevin Durant.
Shams Charania: Kyrie Irving: “Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall. A11even.”
Dejounte Murray heading to Atlanta?
Zach Klein: In talking with multiple sources around the NBA, many believe Hawks on verge of trading for San Antonio’s All-Star guard Dejounte Murray – However, it’s looking like John Collins is not part of deal. Would be Gallo & multiple 1st round picks. Spurs prepping for future & ’23 draft
Kyle Tucker: Kentucky guard Kellan Grady has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets.
JD Shaw: The San Antonio Spurs are bringing swingman Robert Woodard II to summer league, source tells @HoopsRumors. Woodard signed a two-way contract with the team in March and will be a free agent.
JD Shaw: Former @BroncoSportsMBB star Derrick Alston Jr. will play summer league with the Dallas Mavericks, league source tells @HoopsRumors. Alston played for the Jazz’s G League affiliate this season, averaging 18.4 points and 6.4 rebounds.
June 27, 2022 | 4:15 pm EDT Update
Heat more interested in Kevin Durant than Kyrie Irving
The Heat has far more interest in acquiring Durant than Irving, according to a source close to the situation. Acquiring Irving comes with a risk because his availability has become a major issue.
Any potential interest the Heat has in acquiring Irving, 30, will depend on what his price is on the trade market or in free agency. The belief is the Heat is not currently willing to give up its top assets to acquire Irving — a list that obviously includes Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, and also Tyler Herro.
