Latest news with #ShamsCharania
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5 hours ago
- Sport
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NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade
NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers had a relatively quiet offseason before Thursday. The team made no major moves after getting bounced by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, and it also didn't have a first-round pick. Advertisement Los Angeles did not make a transaction during Wednesday's first round despite its need for a starting center. The Lakers are known for splashy offseason moves, but they haven't made one since acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February. They sent out Anthony Davis in that deal, which left a hole in their frontcourt. However, they finally made a trade during Thursday's second round, via ESPN's Shams Charania. Former Arkansas Razorbacks forward Adou Thiero (3) Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images They sent pick No. 45 and cash to the Timberwolves for pick No. 36, which they used on Arkansas forward Adou Thiero. The 6-foot-6-inch, 218-pounder averaged 15.1 points on 54.5 percent shooting with 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists across 27.5 minutes for the Razorbacks last season. Advertisement Even still, many Lakers fans aren't satisfied on social media. "He can't shoot, he's trash," one said. "WE NEEDED A BIG BUT THEY DRAFTED HIGHFLYER," another said. A "high flyer" is a player known for their leaping and dunking abilities. "WOULD IT KILL THEM TO GET A [EXPLETIVE] CENTER," another asked. "There was a [expletive] good center sitting there for the Lakers & they draft this guy? I don't get it," another said. On the other hand, general NBA fans are impressed. "Ngl top 5 pick of the draft," one said. "Seriously a star, just know he averaged a good amount of assists (5 apg + I think) playing as a guard in high school," another said. Advertisement Related: Warriors NBA Champion Emerges as Potential Lakers Target Related: NBA Legend Dwight Howard Was in Tears After Major Personal News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Naz Reid agrees to 5-year, $125 million deal to stay with Timberwolves: Report
Naz Reid has signed a five-year, $125 million contract to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Reid could've exercised a $15 million player option to stay with the Timberwolves. Instead, he has agreed to a deal to perhaps keep him with Minnesota for years. Per Charania, the new contract also includes a player option. After winning the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award after a breakout 2023-24 campaign, the 6-foot-9, 264-pound Reid authored an impressive encore, averaging 14.2 points, 6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.5 minutes per game, all career highs, as an integral frontcourt contributor for a Wolves team that made its second straight run to the Western Conference finals. The sixth-year pro has turned into one of the NBA's premier reserves, serving as a high-volume, high-efficiency stretch big who has fit snugly at power forward and center next to a variety of partners over the years — Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince, T.J. Warren, et al. When Reid checks into the game, he provides a welcome and immediate injection of 3-point variance, downhill driving and interior finishing — all while helping to space the floor for Minnesota superstar Anthony Edwards. Advertisement Reid can allow a team to play twin-towers lineups built around a screen-and-dive center without sacrificing spacing, or to run five-out small-ball looks without punting on rim protection and defensive rebounding — an unassuming and devastatingly effective Allen key to unlock whichever lineup combination might be most effective on any given night. And while he isn't necessarily thought of as a top-flight rim protector and interior defender on his own, his strength and lateral quickness have made him an effective switch defender on the perimeter; the Wolves have allowed fewer points per possession with him on the floor than off it in five of his six pro seasons, and he's long posted above-average block and steal rates for a big man. 'Defensively, Naz has been outstanding,' Wolves head coach Chris Finch told reporters in the spring of 2024. 'He has taken a lot of different matchups, and in his switching, Naz creates a lot of transition opportunities for us. We don't get a ton of those and he is responsible for a lot of it, whether it is pushing it [via passing and dribbling] or at the end of it [with the finish]. And he is just a ball-mover; he has that dynamic quality for our offense.' That combination of shooting, complementary frontcourt playmaking and possession-ending defensive work is pretty rare. Last season, only seven players in the NBA made 150 3-pointers, dished 150 assists, blocked 50 shots and snagged 50 steals: three MVPs (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, Kevin Durant), a two-time All-NBA selection (Edwards), two universally beloved 3-and-D players on nine-figure contracts (Derrick White and OG Anunoby) … and Reid. Advertisement That's awfully lofty company for Reid — who turns 26 in August, just entering his prime, with plenty more developmental runway still ahead of him — and the kind of heights few anticipated he'd reach when he signed with the Wolves as an undrafted free agent out of LSU in the summer of 2019.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Naz Reid agrees to new five-year, $125 million deal to stay with Timberwolves: Report
Naz Reid has signed a new five-year, $125 million contract to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN's Sham Charania. Reid had the choice to exercise a $15 million player option to stay with the Timberwolves. Instead, he has agreed to a deal to keep him with Minnesota long-term. Per Charania, the new contract also includes a player option. After winning the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award after a breakout 2023-24 campaign, the 6-foot-9, 264-pound Reid authored an impressive encore, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.5 minutes per game, all career highs, as an integral frontcourt contributor for a Wolves team that made its second straight run to the Western Conference finals. The sixth-year pro has turned into one of the NBA's premier reserves, serving as a high-volume, high-efficiency stretch big who has fit snugly at power forward and center next to a variety of partners over the years — Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince, T.J. Warren, et al. When Reid checks into the game, he provides a welcome and immediate injection of 3-point variance, downhill driving and interior finishing — all while helping to space the floor for Minnesota superstar Anthony Edwards. Advertisement Reid can allow a team to play twin-towers lineups built around a screen-and-dive center without sacrificing spacing, or to run five-out small-ball looks without punting on rim protection and defensive rebounding — an unassuming and devastatingly effective Allen key to unlock whichever lineup combination might be most effective on any given night. And while he isn't necessarily thought of as a top-flight rim protector and interior defender on his own, his strength and lateral quickness have made him an effective switch defender on the perimeter; the Wolves have allowed fewer points per possession with him on the floor than off of it in five of his six pro seasons, and he's long posted above-average block and steal rates for a big man. 'Defensively, Naz has been outstanding,' Wolves head coach Chris Finch told reporters in the spring of 2024. 'He has taken a lot of different matchups, and in his switching, Naz creates a lot of transition opportunities for us. We don't get a ton of those and he is responsible for a lot of it, whether it is pushing it [via passing and dribbling] or at the end of it [with the finish]. And he is just a ball-mover; he has that dynamic quality for our offense.' That combination of shooting, complementary frontcourt playmaking and possession-ending defensive work is pretty rare. Last season, only seven players in the NBA made 150 3-pointers, dished 150 assists, blocked 50 shots and snagged 50 steals: three MVPs (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, Kevin Durant), a two-time All-NBA selection (Edwards), two universally beloved 3-and-D players on nine-figure contracts (Derrick White and OG Anunoby) … and Reid. Advertisement That's awfully lofty company for Reid — who turns 26 in August, just entering his prime, with plenty more developmental runway still ahead of him — and the kind of heights few anticipated he'd reach when he signed with the Wolves as an undrafted free agent out of LSU in the summer of 2019. 'To see where Naz was three, four years ago and to see where he is now, he's only at that place because of a tremendous work ethic,' Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said back in 2023. 'He's become obsessed with the game, obsessed with keeping his body right. Anytime you surround some of your best players with guys who are as impactful culturally and on the court as Naz, you do everything you can to keep those guys.'
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Masai Ujiri out as Raptors president in shocking move days before start of NBA free agency: 'I just fell to my knees'
The Toronto Raptors and longtime team president Masai Ujiri have gone their separate ways. Ujiri was reportedly set to enter the upcoming season in the final year of a five-year contract he signed in 2021. The somewhat shocking move, first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, comes right before the opening of NBA free agency on Monday and a day after the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Draft. Charania took to X — formerly Twitter — to break the news on Friday morning. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Masai Ujiri have decided to part ways, as Ujiri was entering the final year of his contract, sources tell ESPN. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2025 In a statement, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) president and CEO Keith Pelley praised Ujiri for his leadership and for leading the Raptors to their first and only NBA title in 2019. However, he did not get into specifics as to why the move was made, or why it was made now. "During his 13 seasons with the Raptors, Masai has helped transform the organization on the court and has been an inspirational leader off it," Pelley wrote. "He brought an NBA Championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best. As we plan for the franchise's future, and its return to the NBA Playoffs, a search for the successor as president of the Raptors, led by CAA Executive Search, will begin immediately." The team looking to replace Ujiri is a bit of a surprise. Pelley recently fired Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan back in May and indicated that rather than replacing him, Pelley instead would be working closer with Maple Leafs GM Bred Treliving, who will now report to directly to Pelley. It was widely speculated amongst media pundits and insiders that the same structure would be implemented if a similar move was made with the Raptors. Instead, according to Pelley, general manager Bobby Webster — who reportedly just signed a contract extension — will guide the team into free agency and beyond while Pelley and Co. search for Ujiri's replacement. "We are confident that the Raptors organization, under the guidance of Bobby [Webster] and his team, is in a great place," Pelley said. "They have a plan in place for next season and beyond as the team continues its rebuild, and we have confidence in their ability to execute and, ultimately, to excel. We feel the team is in a strong, stable place, and we believe the addition of a new president will continue to move the Raptors forward, towards our next NBA championship." Many who have covered the team and are in the know, however, aren't so sure Pelley and MLSE will be replacing Ujiri anytime soon — if at all. Make no mistake, MLSE is in a cost-cutting mode. Not going full scale cheap, but not looking to spend huge money on execs. That's significant part of reason Shanahan and Ujiri are out. — Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) June 27, 2025 Don't be surprised if Bobby Webster is presented with a contract extension. Sense for months has been that MLSE would operate without team presidents. And then it began: Bill Manning the first to go (Argos/TFC), then Shanahan, now Ujiri. Those roles unlikely to be replaced. — Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) June 27, 2025 Masai Ujiri is out as president and heart and soul of the Toronto Raptors. This is a large mistake by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. You don't find people of this quality often. — Steve Simmons (@simmonssteve) June 27, 2025 The parent company of the Raptors, Maple Leafs, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto FC and others has brought out the axe in recent months, discarding every major team president and cutting nearly 10 per cent of its workforce since Rogers Communications became MLSE majority owner in a deal approved earlier this month worth $4.7 billion. The firing of Ujiri in particular, especially the strange timing of it, shocked many Raptors fans and media pundits who took to social media to express their disbelief. I just fell to my knees at Tim Hortons over this Masai Ujiri Raptors news — tigallo (@soulqrn) June 27, 2025 This was about 60 hours ago, with Masai Ujiri welcoming Collin Murray-Boyles to Toronto. Surprising timing, to say the — Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) June 27, 2025 We knew this was coming.. however it's the timing that throws it off. Ujiri was the last standing team president at MLSE. — Kayla Grey (@Kayla_Grey) June 27, 2025 Wait why would the Raptors get rid of Masai Ujiri the day AFTER the draft? As a former employee of MLSE (Leafs and Raptors) there's a larger story here I'll bet you anything and leave it at that. — Julian (@julians_world) June 27, 2025 As everyone is saying the timing of this doesn't make sense. Concerned about the direction MLSE (Rogers) is taking our sports teams 🤔Thank you Masai Ujiri for giving our city a championship team that wewill always celebrate and be proud of. #WeTheNorth #LTL1917 — LadiesTalkinLeafs (@LTL1917) June 27, 2025 James Dolan-level incompetence by MLSE is my initial reaction. The timing and manner of firing Masai Ujiri is bad and incompetent, on top of the actual firing being a bad move. Nepo baby Ed Rogers' hands are all over this, trust. — Late stage capitalism hater 🇨🇦 (@CanadaFirst25) June 27, 2025 Not entirely surprising given Ujiri's contractual situation and the recent changes atop MLSE, but very strange timing; the morning after the draft. — Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 27, 2025 There's got to be more to this Masai Ujiri story the timing is just too wild — KEV. (@bucklezzzman) June 27, 2025 As the dust settled on the shock factor and the odd timing of it all, many Raptors fans took to social media to give Ujiri his flowers and praise the man who oversaw, by far, the greatest decade-plus in franchise history. The Raptors posted an exceptional 545-419 record under Ujiri since 2013-14, which is the fifth-best in the mark in the NBA over that time, according to Sportsnet, and of course helped secure the team's first and only NBA championship in 2019. The team also hit the 50-wins five times during Ujiri's 12 seasons with the club and qualified for the NBA layoffs in eight of those campaigns. Though success in recent years has been waning, it was an absolutely legendary run for arguably the best executive in the history of Toronto professional sports. No sports exec (in my lifetime) has the recognition, respect and approval rating that Masai Ujiri has in Toronto. Unsure that's ever going to change — Armen Zargarian (@armenzarg) June 27, 2025 When you think about how basketball has grown so much in Canada, Masai Ujiri will go down in the history books for playing a massive part in that. The Toronto Raptors were a laughing stock for years and he helped change that. Salute to him. — Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) June 27, 2025 thank u Masai Ujiri for bringing opportunities to those around the world to join our league, u rlly made a difference in basketball and im srry for blaming u for everything all the time even when i stubbed my toe on that corner yesterday that was totally not ur fault — char (@govassignedgoth) June 27, 2025 An image that felt impossible when Masai Ujiri joined the RaptorsThe end of an era 🙏 — Jacob Gramegna (@jacob_gramegna) June 27, 2025 Ujiri turned the Raptors into a world-class organization, shifting the way teams/players/fans view Toronto. But his legacy is the way he changed how this market views itself. His pride/passion for team/city/country. How he lifted it up. We The North. Thats how he'll be remembered — Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 27, 2025 No one person in history of the franchise did more to legitimize the Toronto Raptors as an organization than Masai changed the culture, embraced Toronto and gave a city so desperate for a winner the championship that eluded them for nearly 30 will be missed. — Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) June 27, 2025 End of an era, thank you Masai 2019 forever — kishan (@_kishanmistry) June 27, 2025 End of an era. Thank you, Masai — Matt Tierney (@Tierchild) June 27, 2025 Impossible to overstate what Masai means to the city. We achieved heights I literally did not think were possible as the lone Canadian franchise in the NBA. I don't know if we'll ever have another leader as impressive and passionate to represent us as him. Can't thank him enough. — K. –– Free Iran (@ThatPersianGuy) June 27, 2025 Ujiri was hired as Raptors vice-president and general manager back in 2013 to replace the maligned Bryan Colangelo and immediately helped turn the team into a consistent threat in the Eastern Conference with the team qualifying for the postseasons in seven straight seasons between 2013 and 2020. Ujiri was promoted to team president in 2016 and Webster took over the GM role in 2017. Ujiri's most notorious move was the infamous trade in the summer of 2018 that brought superstar Kawhi Leonard to the organization in exchange for franchise legend DeMar DeRozan — essentially paving the way for Toronto's championship run that same season. It's expected Ujiri will be coveted by plenty of NBA organizations and likely won't be out of work for long if he so chooses.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dallas Mavericks' Biggest Obstacle to Win NBA Finals Revealed
Dallas Mavericks' Biggest Obstacle to Win NBA Finals Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Say what you want about the Luka Doncic trade, but the Dallas Mavericks would not be in the position they were in if it weren't for parting ways with their superstar. Advertisement Of course, when Dallas made the call to send their franchise centerpiece to the Los Angeles Lakers, they did not see themselves ending up in the NBA Draft Lottery, let alone winning the rights to the first overall pick with a measly 1.8 percent chance of doing so. Regardless, Cooper Flagg is officially a Maverick, and Dallas is expected to hit the ground running. With wings like Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and PJ Washington and a frontcourt of Flagg, Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II, the Mavs have reason to be hopeful. Imagine reading "Mavericks" and "hopeful" in the same sentence just a few months ago. "Whatever you want to say about the Luka Doncic trade, Nico Harrison has built arguably the best front line in the NBA," said ESPN insider Shams Charania. Advertisement Of course, Kyrie Irving suffered a torn ACL last season, so Dallas will be without a point guard to help facilitate the offense, which could hinder their title hopes. "The biggest key, though, of this season is going to be Kyrie Irving, the return to health that he's going to have," Charania continued. "If he was healthy right now, we'd probably be talking about this team with the Thunder, competing for a championship 1,000 percent." Irving is targeting a January or February return to the lineup, although the Mavericks, who recently signed him to a three-year deal, will not rush him back. In the meantime, Chris Paul, D'Angelo Russell, and Malcolm Brogdon have all been named as possible stopgap floor generals to get the ball to the Mavs' scorers. Advertisement Related: Inside Mavericks Starting Lineup As No. 1 Pick Cooper Flagg Becomes Official Related: Cooper Flagg Sparks Hope But Not 'Fire Nico' Forgiveness for Mavericks Fans This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
