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Duke Basketball: NBA Brass Votes for Blue Devil Over Kevin Durant

NBA general managers see former Duke basketball star Jayson Tatum as the league's top small forward.
Matt Giles|
Former Duke basketball forward Jayson Tatum (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)

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Last year, the 30 NBA general managers selected Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant as the No. 1 small forward in the league with 45 percent of the votes. Fast forward to this week, with the regular season less than two weeks away. Former Duke basketball one-and-done Jayson Tatum rose to the top of that GM survey on NBA.com.

RELATED: Blue Devils Represent 10 Percent of Top 50 NBA Players

Tatum, only 25 years old and entering his seventh season with the Boston Celtics since going No. 3 overall at the 2017 NBA Draft, earned 47 percent of the votes. He's a four-time All-Star, a one-time Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and the 2023 All-Star Game MVP.

Durant, now 35 years old, finished No. 2 with 20 percent. Next was the Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic with 17 percent, the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James with 13 percent, and the Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard with three percent.

Jayson Tatum and the Celtics begin their regular season on the road against the New York Knicks and Duke basketball product RJ Barrett, another candidate for a big year, on Oct. 25.

No Blue Devils landed in the top five in voting at any other position.

However, Duke's 2021-22 one-and-done sensation and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, is No. 4 on the "most likely to have a breakout season" list with seven percent of the votes.

And it's worth noting that 2015 Duke basketball national champion and Washington Wizards guard Tyus Jones received votes to "make the best head coach someday."

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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