LeBron, Durant show LaVine love during All-Star draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Kevin Durant made Zach LaVine the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA All-Star draft on Thursday, seventh in the reserve pool (and Durant's fourth reserve selection).
"I'm very excited about this one," Durant said on the TNT broadcast as he set up the selection.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.
"That boy a sniper. That boy got game," opposing captain LeBron James said as the Brooklyn Nets star plucked LaVine off the board.
Joining LaVine on Durant's squad: Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum, James Harden, Devin Booker, Zion Williamson, Julius Randle and Donovan Mitchell. (Durant won't play in the game as he rehabs a hamstring injury.)
Full rosters below. And if you think they're stacked... Well, it is the All-Star game:
LaVine will participate in the exhibition, which is set to be held in Atlanta, Ga. on March 7, for the first time on the back of a career-best campaign across the board. With averages of 28.7 points and 5.1 assists per game on 52.5 percent field goal shooting and 43.5 percent from 3-point range, he profiles as a perfect candidate to put on a show, especially given his otherworldly athleticism and tough shot-making ability.
He'll also test his long-range marksmanship in a star-studded 3-Point Contest just before the game tips off.
And maybe... Just maybe... If the topic of Kawhi Leonard's impending player option comes up...
A pipe dream for another day.
Click here to subscribe to the Bulls Talk Podcast for free.
