Latest news with #offseason
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Penguins Still Have Big Roster Need To Address
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made multiple additions to their roster this off-season. Some of the players they brought in this summer include Anthony Mantha, Matt Dumba, Justin Brazeau, Arturs Silovs, Connor Clifton, and Parker Wotherspoon. Overall, the Penguins have added to their depth so far this summer.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider claims Lakers have had trade talks about three new targets
While mid-July usually marks the start of the quiet part of the NBA's offseason in terms of player movement, teams aren't necessarily done making moves. The Los Angeles Lakers are one team that could still make a move or two if there is an opportunity available for them that they deem appropriate. They can free up most of their bi-annual exception — $3.9 million, to be exact — to spend on at least one more free agent if they waive guard Shake Milton by July 20. There is also the remaining possibility of a trade, especially since they have the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Gabe Vincent to offer a team looking for some salary cap relief. According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, L.A. has talked to teams about wing Matisse Thybulle, guard Marcus Smart and backcourt player Ayo Dosunmu. "Sources say Matisse Thybulle, Marcus Smart (though most teams are watching to see if he's going to be bought out), Ayo Dosunmu and others are names the Lakers have had preliminary conversations with teams about availability and price, though no offers have been made," Irwin wrote. Right now, the NBA's main summer league is taking place in Las Vegas. There are plenty of team executives there to watch their young players in action, which presents Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka with an opportunity to talk to other executives about potential deals. 'Rob (Pelinka) likes Vegas because he can just pull so-and-so aside and have a conversation that would otherwise take a little planning,' an Eastern Conference executive said. 'Summer league has become a real opportunity for all of us in that way.' Thybulle is a 3-and-D player who is 28 years of age and could fill a big need for Los Angeles. This past season, as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, he averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 20.8 minutes a game and shot 47.7% from the field and a career-high 43.8% from 3-point range. He made the All-Defensive second team for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Smart isn't a 3-point sniper — he has a career mark of 32.4% from that distance and made 34.8% of his 3-point attempts this past season — but he is a defensive pest. He has made the All-Defensive first team three times and was named the Defensive Player of the Year three years ago. The 31-year-old 6-foot-3 guard can also serve as a facilitator and has averaged 4.6 assists a game over his 10 NBA seasons. Dosunmu, 25, is 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, and his 3-point shooting is a work in progress — he made 40.3% of his attempts from downtown during the 2023-24 season but fell to 32.8% this past season. But he's a solid defender and has shot 50.2% from the field in his four pro seasons. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider claims Lakers have had trade talks about three new targets
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"I thought the Myles Turner thing was weird" - Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart pick their most surprising offseason move so far
"I thought the Myles Turner thing was weird" - Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart pick their most surprising offseason move so far originally appeared on Basketball Network. This year's NBA offseason hasn't been as exciting as it was advertised by Shams Charania, who said that it was going to be the craziest one ever. However, there were certain moves that caught New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart off guard, specifically the one of Damian Lillard being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks and Myles Turner signing with them instead of staying with the Indiana Pacers. In regard to Turner, both Brunson and Hart believe it was the right move. "It has to be Dame. I thought the Myles Turner thing was weird. He just spent like a decade here and all that stuff, then boom, gone," said Brunson in the latest episode of "The Roommates" show. "What's crazy about that, I feel like he was on the trading block every year. It was like yeah, we're looking to trade Myles Turner, he was there for at least five to six years." Explaining it from the player's point of view Both Brunson and Hart, who went as far as the Eastern Conference finals in this year's playoffs are all for the former Indiana Pacers big man leaving the team to transfer to a conference rival. That's because they're for their colleagues making as much money as possible. As Hart put it, it may be overlooked but NBA players should go where they feel most valued whether that means loyalty is compromised. "For NBA players, we have such a small window in our lives to make as much money as we can. So in a certain aspect, we have to be kind of selfish in that regard with respect to certain people or certain situations. It's like you have a team you've been in for a long time, you have a great relationship all this and they offer you substantially less amount of money than another team is, I mean a lot of times, you're either going to go for the money or who believes and value you more," added Hart. Turner, who was drafted by the Pacers and spent 10 years with the team, scored over 9,000 points and was a big key piece for them throughout those years. However, the relationship between both parties wasn't always smooth, as Indiana constantly put the big man on the trade block. Despite making it as far as the NBA Finals last season, the newly signed Bucks big man has made the decision to finally end the partnership with the Pacers and go to what he believes is a more competitive underwhelming offseason Aside from the Turner and Lillard saga, there were not many movements around the league. The other big move was Kevin Durant being traded to the Houston Rockets in a league-record seven-team deal but both Brunson and Hart agree that was expected so it wasn't that much of a surprise. There's also the drama between LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers but that was nothing new and had a very predictable ending. Ultimately, there may have been few moves this offseason but ones that could have major impacts in terms of competition this coming season — especially for Brunson and Hart's story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Wraparound: Did The Canadiens Make A Smart Low-Risk Bet On Veleno?
The Wraparound has another episode of rapid-fire NHL topics as the off-season continues. Did The Canadiens Make A Smart Low-Risk Bet On Veleno? by The Wraparound undefined Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Jonathan Bailey discussed: 0:00: Is Lukas Dostal the Anaheim Ducks' goalie of the future? 4:58: Will the Columbus Blue Jackets end up trading Yegor Chinakhov? 9:02: Was signing Joe Veleno a smart low-risk bet for the Montreal Canadiens? 11:44: Which 2025 draft pick that has signed their entry-level contract will make an appearance in the NHL this season? 14:30: How will Joe Thornton impact the San Jose Sharks as a player development coach? 17:58: How will Mitch Marner be received by Toronto Maple Leafs fans in his return to Scotiabank Arena? 22:50: Was Dakota Joshua the type of player the Toronto Maple Leafs needed to acquire? 27:20: Did the Chicago Blackhawks do enough this off-season to support Connor Bedard? 33:55: Did the Winnipeg Jets do enough this off-season after losing Nikolaj Ehlers? See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes. Apple Podcasts Spotify Podbean iHeartRadio Amazon Promo image credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Thunder's Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren deals among NBA's best under-the-radar moves
The NBA's balance of power is shifting. The Houston Rockets added former MVP Kevin Durant to a young core. The Boston Celtics dismantled a recent champion. The Milwaukee Bucks sliced into their future, waiving Damian Lillard and signing Myles Turner, to satisfy their present. These moves were on the radar. Advertisement The Atlanta Hawks' adding to a competitive roster earned them praise. They swiped Kristaps Porziņģis from the Celtics and somehow snagged an unprotected 2026 first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans to move down just 10 slots in the draft. But the Hawks' decisions, all the way down to their one-year contract with Luke Kennard, are on the radar. The Orlando Magic flipped four unprotected first-round picks for Desmond Bane, an acquisition that adds much-needed shooting and facilitating to a team with hopes of a deep playoff run. They re-upped former No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero on a max contract. These, too, are on the radar. Yet, some seemingly smaller transactions have stayed out of the public eye. With the juiciest parts of the NBA offseason behind us, here are five under-the-radar moves that deserve more attention: In an age when teams often hand out all they can in extensions for high-level former first-round picks, the Thunder went in the other direction. The defending champs are loaded with talented players who are yet to become expensive. But once salaries for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren blow up, once the money for reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander grows even larger, once other up-and-comers like Cason Wallace command contracts commensurate with their production, every extra dollar will matter. The Thunder are thinking ahead. They inked Gilgeous-Alexander to the largest contract they could this summer but stopped short in rookie-scale extensions for Williams and Holmgren. Either of those players could have demanded everything — not just the 25 percent max for which they were eligible, but also the 'Rose Rule' provision, which states that they would become eligible for the 30 percent max if they made All-NBA, won MVP or won Defensive Player of the Year in 2025-26. Advertisement For example, the Magic could not avoid this with Banchero, who re-upped on a five-year extension that projects to be worth $239 million and ends in a player option. As of now, Banchero's starting salary would be 25 percent of the cap. However, it could increase to 30 percent, making the deal worth $287 million over five years, if Banchero were to garner any of those accolades during the upcoming season. Compare that to the Holmgren and Williams deals. Holmgren's is a straight 25 percent max: $239 million over five years with no player option. Williams' included slight escalators, though not all the Thunder could give. As of now, he's set to earn the 25 percent max. If he makes Third Team All-NBA next season, as he did this past year, it bumps to 26 percent (upping the deal to $249 million over five years). If he makes Second Team, it increases to 27 percent ($258 million). If he makes First Team, wins MVP or gets Defensive Player of the Year, then he jumps to the full 30 percent ($287 million). Of course, the Thunder would be thrilled to pay Williams an extra $48 million if he became one of the league's five best players. Otherwise, they protected themselves from situations that have hurt other teams, ones when an All-Star-caliber performer but not lead guy slides onto the last spot of All-NBA and ends up hampering his team with a contract that's too large for it to stomach. Oklahoma City is set for the future in every other way — with players and draft picks. Now, it's handing out its most important contracts responsibly, too. It took no more than six seconds for Detroit Pistons All-Star Cade Cunningham to form a connection with his former sharpshooter, Malik Beasley. From the onset of last season, Cunningham would swerve around pick-and-rolls only to notice the bench scorer open in the opposite corner. The point guard would fling a cross-court pass to Beasley's chest, and Beasley would nail a 3-pointer. Advertisement He hit more than 300 long balls, a career high, in 2024-25 — in part because he got hot and never cooled off, and in part because of the man who fed him. Cunningham has become one of the NBA's best at creating stand-still 3s for his teammates. Robinson is about to experience this firsthand. The Pistons lost three veterans who were essential to last season's surprise success: Beasley, Dennis Schröder and Tim Hardaway Jr. Robinson, along with Caris LeVert and a healthy Jaden Ivey, will help replace them. The contract, which will pay him $16.8 million in 2025-26 but is guaranteed for only $2 million the following season and is non-guaranteed in the third year, gives Detroit flexibility. The Pistons did well on the margins this summer. Even losing Schröder to the Sacramento Kings gained them an asset, creating a large trade exception after Detroit turned the move into a sign-and-trade. The Pistons will play various lineups with at least two non-shooters, which turns Robinson's jumper into an integral new piece — and will put his potential chemistry with Cunningham or Ivey under the spotlight. Cunningham tossed 12.1 passes that led to 3-pointers per game last season, fifth in the NBA, according to Second Spectrum. Beasley, meanwhile, took nine catch-and-shoot 3s per 36 minutes. Someone will absorb that volume. Ivey will likely step in as a co-facilitator next to Cunningham and a lead ballhandler of the second unit. LeVert does more of his work off the bounce. Robinson, a 42 percent shooter from the corners, is the leading candidate to fill the spot-up void. Part of Powell's trade to the Miami Heat plastered itself on the radar. The LA Clippers parted with him to make room for Bradley Beal, who the Suns agreed to buy out this week, paving the way for Beal to head to Southern California. The deal swapped out a scoring guard for a position of need, an underrated power forward in John Collins, who will fit well with the Clippers. Advertisement But the Miami portion of the trade is worth examining, too. Powell's production dipped after the return of Kawhi Leonard this past season, but had he been eligible for the award, he could have emerged as the Most Improved Player favorite. He scrambled around off-ball screens more than ever, curling around pindowns to open up 3-pointers and create momentum downhill. Meanwhile, the Heat just landed him for less valuable veterans — Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love — and zero draft picks. Powell's future is a question mark. His contract expires after this season, and considering he averaged an efficient 21.8 points in 2024-25, he could require a raise, a damning proposition in today's NBA economy. But the Heat noticed a trend in acquiring him: Scoring guards aren't going for much on the open market. Just look at the aforementioned Pistons. Last summer, Beasley received only $6 million for one year. Hardaway was instant offense in Detroit this past season but signed with the Denver Nuggets this summer for the minimum. Miami recognized Powell was available and capitalized. It may have lost Robinson this summer but it also added shooting — not just with Powell but also with Simone Fontecchio, who it received in the Robinson sign-and-trade. The Pacers' center spot is a mess after Turner departed in free agency. The organization has high hopes for Isaiah Jackson, who it re-signed to a three-year deal, but Jackson remains inexperienced and is coming off an Achilles tear. A team that's only a month removed from an NBA Finals run is now without two of its most important players for the upcoming season: injured All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton and Turner. A dry free-agent class provided no worthwhile replacements for the two-way center who bolted for a four-year contract with the Bucks. The Pacers had to get creative. Advertisement Enter former Memphis Grizzlies backup Jay Huff, for whom Indiana traded a 2029 second-round pick and 2031 second-round swap. Huff journeyed between the ends of NBA benches and the G League over his first few professional seasons. He finally found a home in 2024-25, though he vacillated in and out of the Grizzlies' rotation. But when he played, he showed he may deserve more time. In some ways, Huff is like Turner, whose skill set is even more notable than his skill level. Turner offers scheme versatility on defense, can protect the rim and can shoot 3-pointers well enough that opponents can't leave him open beyond the arc. He's one of the rare non-All-Stars who fits that description. Huff's mannerisms resemble nothing of Turner's. His resume is a long way off. But he blocks shots, carves out space on the boards and can blast teams from long range. He drained more than 40 percent of his 3s last season. He's not a tremendous individual rebounder, but he uses his 7-foot-1 frame similarly to how Turner uses his more nimble one. Turner doesn't corral rebounds himself often but he will block opponents out, allowing teammates to scamper in and recover missed shots. The Grizzlies mastered that technique last season, specifically with their two mammoth centers, Zach Edey and Huff. They finished first and second, respectively, in the league in successful boxout rate, according to Second Spectrum. Huff won't match Turner's production or even his minutes, but he can provide relief for a team in desperate need of a big man. The Pacers risked little to acquire him. He has three more cheap seasons on his contract. And if he hits as a capable rotation player, he'll be one of the better value adds of the summer. The Wizards are stacking tiny, little positives on top of one another: A Cam Whitmore acquisition here, a Malaki Branham addition there. Washington is adding on the margins — though its biggest move of the summer was the subtraction of two players. Advertisement In what eventually morphed into a three-team trade, the Wizards sent Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the 40th pick in this year's NBA Draft, Micah Peavy, to the New Orleans Pelicans for CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and the Chicago Bulls' 2027 second-round pick. The move wasn't about the players. It was about the money. McCollum and Olynyk, who the Wizards later flipped to the San Antonio Spurs for Branham, Blake Wesley and a second-round pick, are on expiring contracts. Meanwhile, Poole and Bey combine to make $40.5 million in 2026-27. That means with one move, the Wizards shed approximately 25 percent of next season's projected salary cap from their roster. They did so by removing one player (Poole) who makes more than his market value and another (Bey) who hasn't played in an NBA game since March 2024. Getting off of undesirable money in today's marketplace, where teams worry about tax payments and aprons galore, is not normally this smooth. The Wizards are creating flexibility at every angle. They have mastered trade exceptions (TPEs). They looped the Whitmore trade into the New Orleans one, which allowed them to maintain an extra TPE. When they dealt Olynyk to the Spurs, they didn't just acquire a couple of former first-rounders still in their early 20s, guys who seem to have flamed out in San Antonio but are worth a try on a rebuilding squad. They also slid Branham into a previous trade exception and Wesley into the biannual exception to create another, significantly larger trade exception worth $13.4 million. If a team needs to dump money during the season, the Wizards will be one of its first calls. Washington projects to enter next summer with more than $100 million in cap room. And no, that doesn't mean the Wizards, who are bound for the bottom of the standings once again in 2025-26, will hunt for stars. But it means the team now has malleability it hasn't had in a decade. Advertisement It has three respected veterans — McCollum, Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton — on bulky, expiring contracts. If the Wizards want to use their 2026 cap space before the summer, they can exchange any to all of those three for players on multi-year deals, receiving sweeteners, such as draft picks or young players, as a thank you. If they take that strategy, chances are they will receive a better piece than the 40th pick in return.
