Latest news with #TimBontemps
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blazers rookie Yang Hansen has seized first moments 'under the lights'
The Portland Trail Blazers shocked the NBA when they chose 7-foot-2 Chinese center Yang Hansen with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. But so far, so good. It might very well work out just fine. Advertisement "In his first moments under the lights, his skill level impressed rival coaches and executives, particularly with his passing," ESPN's Tim Bontemps writes. "He's going to be a project, but it didn't take long to see why Portland was interested in him." The big fella has been magical in moments of Summer League on offense, delivering backdoor dimes and also showing he can throw it down at the rim. MORE: LeBron James wants to play basketball with Michael Jordan He's also quickly become a favorite of the media covering the Blazers, showing off a sense of humor and a presence about him that feels like a veteran who knows just the right thing to say. Advertisement Bontemps goes on to write that it's not yet clear how Hansen will co-exist with Donovan Clingan, the incumbent young center in Portland. But if the rookie keeps playing like this, it'll be a good problem to have for the Trail Blazers. MORE NBA NEWS:
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Shams declares Hawks, Rockets ‘cooking' in free agency
The post NBA rumors: Shams declares Hawks, Rockets 'cooking' in free agency appeared first on ClutchPoints. The first day of NBA free agency is always exciting, and of course, people love to name early winners and losers as soon as the day is over. There are two teams in particular that have caught the eyes of the rest of the league, and they've been given their props, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Advertisement 'When I talk to people around the league, they say the Hawks and the Rockets are 'cooking,'' Charania said on ESPN. 'You think about it from Atlanta's perspective, going out to get Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a big-tie two-way type of player, he had a big-time playoff run,' Charania continued. 'Then you go get Luke Kennard, he's been one of the best shooters in the NBA. Atlanta got Kristaps Porzingis as well. 'Houston has done even more business than Atlanta overall. We know about the Kevin Durant trade, but they go and get Clint Capela at center, and then Dorian Finney-Smith, and he was the most interesting free agent out there.' Advertisement Both the Hawks and Rockets were aggressive to start out free agency, but they also made moves prior to help improve their team. It would be interesting to see if they plan on making more moves as the free agency period continues. Hawks, Rockets working hard in free agency Not only does Charania think that the Hawks did their big one in free agency, but ESPN's Tim Bontemps also thinks the Hawks have positioned themselves to be atop the Eastern Conference. 'The Hawks have gotten a bunch of guys that want to be there, who have shooting and perimeter defense,' Bontemps said on Get Up. 'This is a team I think is now a top 4 in the East, better than the Celtics… better than the Milwaukee Bucks. Atlanta is on the rise in the East.' Advertisement With the current landscape of the Eastern Conference, there's a good chance that the Hawks could be one of the top teams in the East if they can stay healthy. For the Rockets, they were one of the top teams in the Western Conference last season, and things shouldn't change with Durant, Finney-Smith, and Capela on the team. They have proven veterans on their team, and one of the best scorers the NBA has ever seen in Durant. In a crowded conference, the Rockets have what it takes to go up against some of the best. Related: Best free-agent destinations for Damian Lillard after Bucks waived him Related: 10 greatest No. 3 overall NBA Draft picks, ranked
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nets gained a prized asset in their trade with the Nuggets, per NBA GM
The Brooklyn Nets pulled off one of the biggest moves of the 2025 NBA offseason when they traded forward Cam Johnson to the Denver Nuggets for forward Michael Porter Jr. While it is debatable amongst Brooklyn fans which player is better for this stage of the rebuild, some of the talk around the league is pertaining to the first-round pick the Nets received. "That was a prized asset they gave up," ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst reported in a conversation with a source described as an NBA general manager. The duo wrote this within an article addressing various storylines around the NBA with free-agency having been active for almost one week, especially with players like Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James who seem to have less-than-ideal futures. Advertisement "Teams have been eyeing that one to see if they'd actually use it," Bontemps and Windhorst continued. To recap the trade between the Nets and Nuggets, Brooklyn traded Johnson to Denver in exchange for Porter Jr. and a first-round pick from the Nuggets that will convey in 2032, seven years from the writing of this piece which can be better described as an eternity in the NBA. Essentially, Brooklyn achieved one of its main goals this offseason when it came to using some of their salary cap to acquire players from teams looking to shed payroll in exchange for said players and something extra. In the case of Porter, whose numbers are similar to Johnson in many regards, the Nuggets needed to do something to lower their luxury tax penalties while improving the team around perennial MVP candidate Nikola Jokic. The Nets basically took on Porter, thereby increasing their salary cap by $17 million as the difference between what he and Johnson will be earning next season, for the chance at getting a draft pick that is clearly held in high regard around the Association. By the time the 2032 NBA Draft comes around, Jokic will be 37 years old while Jamal Murray will be 35 years old. That pick gives Brooklyn more choices than most teams. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets gained a prized asset in their trade with the Nuggets, per NBA GM
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fans Push Back on Durant's Trade Value Amid Suns Demands
Fans Push Back on Durant's Trade Value Amid Suns Demands originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A tweet from Miami Heat UK reignited debate around Kevin Durant's trade value, as fans pushed back on the Phoenix Suns' rumored expectations. The post outlined key reasons teams might hesitate to meet a high asking price. Advertisement It pointed out that for teams outside Durant's preferred list, any deal would likely be short-term. Another concern was that not many rosters are 'a Durant away' from title contention. His age — 37 — was also flagged, with fans noting a limited long-term return if things don't work out. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) handles the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The tweet ended with a pointed suggestion, 'Just take Wiggins, Duncan, Jović & this year's Pick 20 & put this whole sorry experiment behind you @Suns.' While framed casually, the response captured a larger sentiment among fans that the trade expectations are unrealistic. The original report came from Tim Bontemps of ESPN, who stated that any Durant deal is unlikely to draw a Desmond Bane-level return. That was the comparison many made after Bane's recent trade, which set a high bar for value. Advertisement The Phoenix Suns now face pressure from multiple directions, not only in finding a trade partner but in managing public expectations. Heat fans have remained vocal, often viewing the Suns' position as a signal that they're holding out for something the market might not deliver. At the same time, Miami Heat supporters see this as an opportunity. If the Suns are forced to lower demands, Miami could become a more realistic destination, especially if Durant pushes behind the scenes. With Durant's preferences reportedly limited and the window to maximize return closing, the standoff continues. For now, fans across the league are weighing in, and Heat observers are keeping close watch. Related: Kevin Durant and Taylor Rooks Make Announcement on Wednesday Related: Kevin Durant Breaks Down the Luka Dončić-LeBron James Pairing This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Celtics Could Lose NBA Champion to Knicks in Free Agency
Celtics Could Lose NBA Champion to Knicks in Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Even before Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles, there were many questions regarding who would stay and who would go on the Boston Celtics this offseason. Being above the NBA's second tax apron, the Celtics will likely part ways with some of their players. Advertisement They also have some free agents this summer, including Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Torrey Craig. The most decorated of those free agents is obviously Horford, who has played seven years for the Celtics and has helped make multiple extensive playoff runs. The five-time All-Star will be 39 this summer, and while he has impressively continued to play at an NBA level despite his age, he still only has so much time left. With Tatum out indefinitely, the Celtics may not be able to compete at a high level, which puts re-signing Horford into question. Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42).© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images On "The Hoop Collective," ESPN's Tim Bontemps expressed his doubts as to whether Horford will stay in Boston. Advertisement "Al Horford is a free agent," said Bontemps. "I don't think at this point it makes a lot of sense for ... Horford to be back in Boston. Maybe he will be, but given where things are with the Celtics, I think he's now much more in play than he might have been a month ago." By contrast, Bontemps believes the New York Knicks hold plenty of appeal to Horford as a destination. "Horford is a longtime friend of (Karl-Anthony Towns and) has played with him with the Dominican National team for a long time," Bontemps said. "If they go get Al Horford this summer, ... I think (he) would be an unbelievable fit on this Knicks roster." Advertisement The Celtics lost Horford the last time he hit free agency when he left to join the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. The last time the Celtics had former players join the Knicks in free agency was 2021 when Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier joined them. Related: NBA Legend Urges Celtics to Make Kristaps Porzingis Decision Related: Jrue Holiday to Clippers Trade Report Receives Update on Thursday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
