Latest news with #ClevelandCavaliers
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Donovan Mitchell Sends Clear LeBron James Message on Friday
Donovan Mitchell Sends Clear LeBron James Message on Friday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the 2025 NBA Playoffs as one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference and popular pick to make the finals. But after winning just five total games in the postseason, their run came to a disappointing end. Advertisement That failure wasn't because of Donovan Mitchell. The Cavaliers' leading scorer delivered in the second round against the Indiana Pacers, scoring 33 or more points in four of the five games. In the lone game he didn't reach that mark, he played just 20 minutes due to a left ankle injury. In a recent sit-down with Taylor Rooks, Mitchell opened up about a variety of NBA topics. Naturally, the conversation turned to the Cavaliers' early playoff exit and the weight of trying to bring a championship back to Cleveland. On Friday, Bleacher Report posted a key quote from the interview, highlighting Mitchell's mindset: When Rooks asked if he felt pressure being the star player on a franchise that's won just one title, Mitchell gave a direct and honest response: Advertisement "No, because I'm not Bron. I'm not going to do it the same way he did it. What did he do six times in a row? Maybe we can do it the next six years. Maybe we don't. We are not the LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers. We do it different." Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell doesn't want to be compared to the Lebron James-Cavs era.© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Mitchell added more context on how he sees the future for himself and the Cavaliers: "We are going to try to accomplish what they did and be the second team in franchise history, but we are not the 2016 Cavs. That was a special team." Mitchell has two years remaining on his current contract with the Cavaliers. He also holds a player option for the 2027-28 season worth $53.8 million. After that, he can become an unrestricted free agent. Advertisement One thing is clear: Mitchell isn't trying to be the next LeBron. He's focused on building something different and winning on his own terms. Related: Pacers Prepare for Expensive Roster Move After NBA Finals Loss Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Better Than Michael Jordan, Claims Former Bulls Star This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Naz Reid Extends With Timberwolves For $125 Million
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks the ball while ... More Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the third quarter of the game at Target Center on January 14, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 110-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) The Minnesota Timberwolves and Naz Reid have agreed to an extension worth $125 million over five seasons, solving one of the team's most crucial puzzles, before they head into free agency. Solid value, long contract, complicated situation Reid at $25 million per year represents solid compensational value, and signals a high-held belief in the center from the side of the organization, given that he's likely going to still come off the bench for a season or two, until he takes over for Rudy Gobert. Paying any bench player $25 million per year is not an easy decision, but Reid is simply so impactful of a player, that the organization decided to lock him in for five years, and that's the number which does seem optimistic on the surface. He's a strong scorer, solid rebounder, and his floor-spacing capabilities allow the Wolves to be spread out, thus optimizing the effects of Anthony Edwards. So there's a player in there that's important, but you have to wonder if the amount of years - the fifth season is a player option - is going to become a slight problem for them if Gobert hangs onto the main center spot for longer than anticipated. As the team grows more expensive, it's hard to justify that type of long-term contract for a sixth man, even if the money itself - in a vacuum - aren't that overwhelming in the context of things. Additionally, the Wolves could played a bit of hardball here if they had wanted to. Reid, had he opted out, would only have been able to receive a similar offer from the Brooklyn Nets, meaning his market was probably not that strong due to the lack of money in free agency. Instead, the Wolves saw it differently. They saw a player who could have picked up his $15 million option, and then left outright in free agency in 2026, and that was a scenario they wanted to avoid. This type of deal would have more sense in 2026, if a team - including the Wolves - saw Reid as a player who should start full-time. Julius Randle is next Like Reid, Julius Randle also has a player option, which he can decline and then sign for longer, or pick up and just play it out next season. If the forward is looking for a big payday, the Wolves will have to be careful. They're already up against the second apron, and a hefty raise for Randle will surely exceed it. The Reid signing, as well as Randle's upcoming decision, likely prices Minnesota out of returning Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who is an unrestricted free agent, who is likely to command a contract in the area of $15 million per year. Of course, the Wolves could just stay aggressive and go deeper into the tax, and across the second apron, but is that a plan new ownership is willing to buy into? We'll see how the Wolves handle the early stages of free agency, but the overarching feeling is there probably is a limit somewhere. But, that limit does not seem to apply to Naz Reid, which could be a good thing if he is to receive a bigger role soon. Unless noted otherwise, all stats via PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
CNBC
a day ago
- Business
- CNBC
44-year-old CEO: Never assume you're 'entitled' to a salary bump—'it doesn't work like that in the real world'
You could have the longest tenure on your team, do your work correctly and on time, and even be well connected at your company — and still be overlooked for a promotion. This shouldn't come as a surprise, according to Klutch Sports Group founder and CEO Rich Paul. Too often, employees feel like they're owed raises and promotions without putting in any extra work to get them, he says. "When you're trying to get a salary bump, you shouldn't feel entitled to it," says Paul, 44. "Look around and really be honest about how replaceable or irreplaceable you may be, and that has to come through the lens of doing great work [and] consistently raising that level of work ethic or [impact]." Doing what's in your job description and nothing else, or even being at a company for a specific amount of time, won't help you climb the corporate ladder, Paul says. Rather, a self-starter attitude, willingness to learn and ability to go above and beyond will differentiate you from your colleagues, he says. "The getting in early, leaving late, the not complaining, not being asked to do something, the proactive thinking" is what will give you a competitive edge, says Paul, who also hosts a MasterClass course called "The Dealmaker's Mindset" that released on June was 21 when he met then-high-schooler LeBron James at an airport, befriending the basketball player and becoming his unofficial assistant. After James was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, Paul took it upon himself to learn everything he could about the NBA, James wrote in the foreword of Paul's book, "Lucky Me: A Memoir of Changing the Odds." After roughly four years of immersing himself in the NBA's world as part of James' inner circle, Paul landed a role at Creative Arts Agency, working under James' then-agent Leon Rose. When Paul founded Klutch Sports in 2012, James became its first client. "The only thing Rich received from me is an opportunity," James wrote. If you want to show your boss that you have a drive and hunger for success, start by building or reinforcing your rapport with your them, recommends Horacio Falcão, an INSEAD professor, negotiation expert and serial entrepreneur. You're in trouble if your boss hears about your desire for a promotion for the first time at your end-of-year review, Falcão told CNBC Make It on Nov. 27. Talk to them throughout the year about their expectations and your performance to build a sense of trust, he said. "You should be in closer touch with your supervisor, and on a more regular basis, be it by inviting them for a coffee, or having one on one [meetings]," said Falcão. When you're ready to discuss your goals, he added, you can say something along the lines of: "I am very excited. I would like to grow quickly. I'm willing to put the effort in, the energy, the time necessary to become the next person up [for promotion] in my group or cohort. What do I need to do?" Another tip from Paul: Learn as much as you can, and work to build your "range within the workplace." Research new skills that can be useful to your team, study your boss' patterns and anticipate what they'll ask you to do, and do it beforehand, he says. If they start every meeting with a new icebreaker and they're running out of ideas, for example, you could offer them some suggestions ahead of time. Most importantly, don't expect a handout, says Paul. "Oftentimes, we look for what was given to us in kindergarten. You know, you do well and you have a piece of candy or a gold star on your paper," he says. "It doesn't work like that in the real world."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James May Have Had Secret Operation After 2015 NBA Finals
LeBron James May Have Had Secret Operation After 2015 NBA Finals originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors in the 2015 NBA Finals in six games despite LeBron James averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks in the series. Advertisement Kyrie Irving fractured his left kneecap in Game 1 and missed the rest of the series. Meanwhile, Kevin Love missed the entire Cavaliers-Warriors series after dislocating his left shoulder in the first round of the 2015 playoffs against the Boston Celtics. James did everything he could to lead Cleveland past Golden State, but the leading scorer in NBA history came up short. A future Hall of Famer, James played through a well-documented back injury during the 2014-15 season. While it was reported that James didn't have surgery, his former Cleveland teammate, Iman Shumpert, recently said he "believes" James had "some back operation" after the 2015 NBA Finals. Advertisement 'I can't remember what LeBron's issue was, but I believe he went and got some back operation after that before the next season,' Shumpert said on the Hoop Collective on Monday. Iman Shumpert "believes" LeBron James had a back operation in the summer of 2015. © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images If James did have a back operation in the summer of 2015, it didn't affect his play in the following season. James played in 76 games in 2015-16, averaging 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks. The Cavaliers faced the Warriors again in the 2016 NBA Finals. Behind James and Irving, Cleveland erased a 3-1 series deficit to win the championship in seven exhilarating games. James won the 2016 Finals MVP Award. He finished the seven-game series with stellar averages of 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks. Advertisement James, who now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, is a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP. He has won a title and Finals MVP Award with every team he has played for. Related: LeBron James Makes Michael Jordan Statement Without Hesitation This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Suns, Magic Tried Trading for Cavaliers Star
Suns, Magic Tried Trading for Cavaliers Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cleveland Cavaliers were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this season. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs and looked primed to compete for the championship for the first time in the second post-LeBron James era. Advertisement However, the Cavaliers lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round in five games. The Pacers won all three games on the road against the Cavaliers, who haven't advanced past the conference semifinals since acquiring Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022. After the 2025 playoffs ended, Cleveland starting point guard Darius Garland had surgery on his left big toe. The two-time All-Star is expected to miss four to five months. Two teams reached out to the Cleveland Cavaliers about a Darius Garland Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Garland's injury, though, didn't stop rival teams from calling the Cavaliers about a trade. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic tried to trade for Garland, who has spent his entire career with the Cavaliers. Advertisement The Suns and Cavaliers spoke about a Garland-Kevin Durant trade before Phoenix agreed to trade Durant to the Houston Rockets. Garland played in 75 games for the Cavaliers in 2024-25. He averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game while shooting 47.2% from the field, 40.1% from 3 and 87.8% from the free-throw line. The Cavaliers drafted Garland with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Garland could miss the first 10 games of next season because of his toe injury. Garland's surgery was performed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Related: LeBron James May Have Had Secret Operation After 2015 NBA Finals This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
