Tag: free agency

Who are some potential free agency targets for the Boston Celtics?

If they do not leave it open, might they be up to add a big man like Dario Saric or Daniel Theis?

Who are some potential free agency targets for the Boston Celtics? The Celtics currently have an open roster spot they could use to add talent to the ball club. But there is a chance that the team will leave it open for at least some of the 2024-25 NBA season ahead to save the ownership group some cash as the team gets increasingly costly.

If they do not leave it open, might they be up to add a forward like Saddiq Bey or a big man like Dario Saric or Daniel Theis if they can be had on a veteran minimum deal?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a closer look at the best possible options for Boston at positions of need. Check them out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Panthers named potential landing spot for former Saints WR Michael Thomas

Here’s an interesting slant . . .

Here’s an interesting slant . . .

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report just sifted through the NFL’s bargain bin, matching some of the top remaining free agents with a number of teams. Knox finishes off his list with veteran wideout Michael Thomas, who he believes may have enough left in the tank to help a young quarterback over in Charlotte:

The Carolina Panthers can and should also consider Thomas as they look to put talent around second-year quarterback Bryce Young. Thomas’ size, route-running prowess and divisional familiarity would be a boon as Young looks to bounce back from a disappointing rookie campaign.

Thomas spent each of his seven pro campaigns with the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints. His best of those came in 2019, when he notched a league-leading 149 receptions for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns en route to the AP Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Now 31 years old and with a few more notes on his injury history, Thomas is obviously a far cry from the receiver we saw five seasons ago. In fact, he’s played in just 20 of a possible 67 regular-season games since 2020.

But if a bargain is indeed to be had, then perhaps a divisional foe can become an asset in healing Young and Carolina’s offense.

(Oh, and he’ll have to make sure he’s good with a certain 6-foot-5, 320-pound defensive lineman.)

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Social media reacts to LeBron James returning to Los Angeles: ‘The Lakers are in a rebuild’

LeBron James agreed to sign a two-year, $104 million max deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he will get his wish of playing alongside his son Bronny. However, the max contract will challenge the team regarding roster improvement if they don’t get …

LeBron James agreed to sign a two-year, $104 million max deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he will get his wish of playing alongside his son Bronny. However, the max contract will challenge the team regarding roster improvement if they don’t get under the second apron.

Check out the initial reaction from social media following the news.

Giants were looking at Austin Ekeler as potential Saquon Barkley replacement

Barkley signed with the Eagles this offseason, while the Commanders signed Ekeler.

In case you missed it, the latest edition of “Hard Knocks” debuted on Tuesday night. It features the New York Giants’ offseason. The full name of the new version is “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants.”

The series began in 2001, following a team through training camp and the preseason. “Hard Knocks” began an in-season version in 2021, and the latest edition follows an NFL franchise through the offseason for the first time.

“Hard Knocks” followed the Giants from January throughout the offseason as they made several critical decisions, such as letting star running back Saquon Barkley walk and making a huge trade for Carolina edge rusher Brian Burns. There was also the question of whether or not the Giants would draft a quarterback to replace Daniel Jones—one year after giving him a massive extension.

The Giants did let Barkley go but chose not to draft a quarterback. Instead, they gave Jones some help with the No. 6 overall pick — former LSU star wide receiver Malik Nabers.

It’s been an eventful offseason for the G-Men.

In the first episode of “Hard Knocks,” the show went behind the scenes as the Giants explored potential replacements for Barkley. One of those potential replacement was Austin Ekeler.

New York didn’t have the chance to sign Ekeler, as the Giants’ rival, Washington, prioritized Ekeler early in free agency, signing him to a two-year deal.

Others considered as possible replacements were Joe Mixon and Tony Pollard.

Ekeler figures to play a pivotal role in the Commanders’ new-look offense, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The 29-year-old Ekeler is arguably the top pass-catching back in the NFL – an area where Barkley also excelled – and has 69 career touchdowns and 440 receptions.

The Giants settled on 26-year-old Devin Singletary, a 2019 third-round pick of the Buffalo Bills. New York general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll were with the Bills when they drafted Singletary.

If you’re interested in watching “Hard Knocks,” a new episode debuts every Tuesday through July 30 at 9:00 p.m. ET on HBO. You can also stream “Hard Knocks” on Max.

Report: Warriors ‘in serious talks’ on sign-and-trade to acquire Buddy Hield from 76ers

The Warriors are reportedly in “serious talks” to acquire Buddy Hield from the 76ers in a sign-and-trade.

After bringing in De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson in the opening window of free agency, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Golden State Warriors are still working to build out the remainder of their roster.

Following the departure of Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors are reportedly working to acquire another sharpshooter.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Warriors are “in serious talks” on a sign-and-trade to acquire Buddy Hield from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Warriors and Sixers are in “deep discussions” as they work to finalize a deal, per Charania.

Via @ShamsCharania on Twitter:

Earlier on Tuesday, the Warriors swapped second-round picks in a sign-and-trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves for Anderson. The remaining details of Hield’s sign-and-trade with the Warriors have yet to be released.

Hield was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft out of Oklahoma. In eight seasons, Hield has played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers.

Last season, Hield was traded from the Pacers to the Sixers. During the 2023-24 season, Hield averaged 12.1 points on 43.6% shooting from the field and 38.5% from deep to go along with 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 25.7 minutes per game.

Hield is a prolific 3-point shooter, taking nearly seven triples a game. Hield has made over 200 3-pointers in each of the last two seasons, along with four other times in his career.

Hield will slide into the backcourt alongside Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Gary Payton II and fellow new addition Melton.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Report: Warriors signing F Kyle Anderson in sign-and-trade with Timberwolves

The Warriors are reportedly signing veteran forward Kyle Anderson in a sign-and-trade with the Timberwolves.

After losing Chris Paul and Klay Thompson in the early window of free agency, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Golden State Warriors began working to build out their roster for the upcoming season.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, free agent forward Kyle Anderson is planning to sign a three-year, $27 million contract with the Warriors. The Warriors will acquire Anderson in a sign-and-trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Via @wojespn on Twitter:

To bring in Anderson, the Warriors will use their recently acquired traded player exception they received in Thompson’s sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks.

Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:

Anderson was selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. Anderson has played 10 seasons in the league with stops in San Antonio, Memphis and most recently, Minnesota.

Last year, Anderson averaged 6.4 points on 46% shooting from the field to go along with 4.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game with the Timberwolves.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Who are some potential Boston Celtics big man free agency targets?

Who are some options Boston should be looking at?

If the Boston Celtics decide to go the free agency route to add a little big man depth to the roster after hearing that star Boston bog man Kristaps Porzingis will be out until the start of the new year, give or take a month, who are some options Boston should be looking at?

Should the Celtics pursue a ring-chasing veteran big man to fill the role? Or would it make more sense to try to find a young, under-appreciated talent to help eat up some regular season minutes until the Latvian center returns to the court some time this winter?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a closer look on a recent episode. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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When will Michael Thomas sign with a new team for 2024?

When will Michael Thomas sign with a new team for 2024? The ex-New Orleans Saint is still waiting for his next opportunity:

Take a look at the list of former New Orleans Saints players still searching for a new team in 2024 and one name stand apart from the rest: Michael Thomas. The former NFL Offensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Pro fell off hard after a series of complicated injuries and frustrating surgeries interrupted what looked like a Hall of Fame-worthy career.

And now, months after a high-profile split with the only NFL team he’s played for, Thomas is still waiting for his next opportunity. There isn’t another free agent with his credentials, but that injury history and public criticism of his coach, quarterback, and team training staff may have cooled interest he’d otherwise find on the open market.

Thomas is 31. He’s coming off another season-ending injury which he chalks up to a bad ball from Derek Carr. He’s only been available for 13 of the Saints’ 51 games since the 2020 season, when his ankle was painfully rolled up on while blocking in a blowout win, which started this whole mess. Thomas played through the injury to support Drew Brees in his last year before retirement, but he missed the entire 2021 season recovering from surgery. He went down with another injury three games into 2022, and was sidelined for the last seven games of 2023.

There aren’t many cases like his, but one situation to consider is Odell Beckham Jr. Like Thomas, he’s 31 years old and a three-time Pro Bowler, with a pair of All-Pro nods and an Offensive Rookie of the Year award to his name. He’s also caught 566 passes in his career compared to 565 for Thomas, though in 27 more games for four different teams. And Beckham has twice suffered serious knee injuries by tearing his ACL.

The second time happened in Super Bowl LVI, causing him to miss the subsequent 2022 season in recovery. Beckham didn’t sign with a team until well after the start of free agency in 2023, meeting with the Baltimore Ravens at NFL owners meetings in the spring, and he turned in a modest performance last season with 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns. Compare that to what Thomas posted with the Saints — 39 receptions, 448 yards, and a single touchdown. Beckham went on to sign with the Miami Dolphins this offseason.

So does this mean Thomas may have to sit out the 2024 season before finding a new team, like Beckham did? Probably not. We don’t know how far along he is in recovery from last year’s injury but it was never expected to put him on ice for multiple seasons. But we may not see any movement until training camp. If there aren’t many suitors, or if Thomas is being selective about his next opportunity, it could take a while for him to find the right fit.

Either way, it’s so disappointing to see his career end up here. Thomas was on track to break every receiving record in Saints history while leaving his mark on NFL history. That injuries and personal conflicts have derailed what should have been something special. Time will tell where Thomas catches his next football. It’s just too bad it won’t happen while he’s wearing black and gold.

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Report: Former Warrior Chris Paul intends to sign with San Antonio Spurs

After being waived by the Warriors, the veteran point guard will reportedly join Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio.

After getting waived by the Golden State Warriors on the day of his $30 million guarantee date, Chris Paul reportedly already has a new team.

According to Chris Haynes of NBA on TNT and Bleacher Report, the veteran point guard intends to sign with the San Antonio Spurs. After playing one season with Steph Curry and the Warriors, Paul will team up with rising star Victor Wembanyama.

Via @ChrisBHaynes on Twitter:

Paul was acquired by the Warriors last July in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards that included Jordan Poole.

In his only season in the Bay Area, the 39-year-old played 58 games, averaging 9.2 points on 44.1% shooting from the floor, with 6.8 assists and 3.9 assists in 26.4 minutes per contest.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Social media reacts to James Harden staying with Clippers: ‘He’s in a committed relationship, everybody clap’

James Harden will return to the LA Clippers on a two-year, $70 million deal. The 10-time NBA All-Star could now likely finish his career in Los Angeles. Here’s how NBA Social Media reacted to the news:

James Harden will return to the LA Clippers on a two-year, $70 million deal. The 10-time NBA All-Star could now likely finish his career in Los Angeles.

Here’s how NBA Social Media reacted to the news: