Tag: Trade Rumors

Brandon Aiyuk’s camp publicly refutes another trade rumor

Another Brandon Aiyuk trade rumor shot down by Aiyuk’s agent.

Another Brandon Aiyuk trade rumor has been publicly denied by the wide receiver’s agent. After an author at a website that covers the Pittsburgh Steelers reported that a person inside the Steelers building would be shocked if the team didn’t trade for Aiyuk, Aiyuk’s agent Ryan Williams took to the internet to dispute the report.

“Another ‘report’ that couldn’t be more incorrect,” Williams wrote on Twitter. “Fictional ‘journalism’ should really stop.”

It’s interesting that Williams is coming out publicly and doing this. Another random Twitter user ‘reported’ that an Aiyuk trade was in the works and Williams shot that one down too.

Perhaps he’s just looking out for his client. Maybe he’s just really anti-false reporting. Conventional wisdom says trade rumors muddying the waters might help a player in negotiations. Granted, a team knows what clubs are and are not calling so it’s hard to imagine San Francisco getting scared off by a rumor involving them.

Still, this may be a matter of the 49ers and Aiyuk’s camp being on good terms heading into negotiations on a long-term extension. Aiyuk is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract in 2024.

Trade rumors swirling may be perceived by the 49ers as Aiyuk’s camp trying to leak information to help them in those negotiations. By publicly denying the rumors Williams removes himself from being the possible culprit behind the reports.

Ultimately for 49ers fans worried Aiyuk may get dealt, seeing his agent deny even flimsy report from smaller-profile reporters has to be good news.

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Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors from 49ers perspective

All of the reasons people want their favorite team to trade for Brandon Aiyuk are all of the reasons the #49ers have to keep him.

The Brandon Aiyuk trade conversation has gotten rolling as the dust settles on free agency and the NFL draft approaches. Since San Francisco would likely be aiming to move the WR by Draft Day, the discussions about team fits and potential trade partners will ramp up substantially.

Jacksonville has come up as a potential suitor after they lost Calvin Ridley in free agency. Pittsburgh has also become a popular hypothetical destination after Aiyuk fed trade speculation with a tweet to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin on March 19. It was Aiyuk’s first tweet since April 30, 2023.

The trade talks aren’t unfounded or ridiculous. Aiyuk is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, and it’s unlikely he’ll be willing to suit up without a long-term extension. San Francisco also doesn’t have a ton of wiggle room under the cap this year. There are ways they can structure the contract to make it more affordable in 2024 than his $14.2 million fifth-year option. More on this in a bit.

However, it’s not a slam dunk the 49ers get a deal done. They’ll have a value in mind and if Aiyuk’s camp wants something more than that number, then San Francisco will have to trade its No. 1 wide receiver.

To be clear, the 49ers don’t want to trade him. They’ve said as much publicly any time anyone with ears and a pulse is in the vicinity. All of the reasons pundits and writers and podcasters believe Aiyuk is a fit for one team are also reasons he’s a fit for the 49ers. He’s still just 26, has great hands, explosive athleticism and a dynamic route tree that makes him one of the toughest covers in the sport. Aiyuk has also become a dominant run blocker which will help his case with every offensive coach in the NFL.

This is why the 49ers will be working to ensure they’re locking up Aiyuk beyond the 2024 campaign. He’s their future on offense alongside quarterback Brock Purdy. Letting Aiyuk walk ensures a nearly bare offensive cupboard for their newly-minted franchise QB by the time 2026 rolls around. It’s hard to envision many scenarios where the 49ers are letting Aiyuk get out the door, particularly because finding players like him isn’t easy. The Titans jettisoning WR AJ Brown during the 2022 draft is instructive in this case. That’s a scenario the 49ers will want to avoid.

So, let’s get back to the money.

It’s easy to point to all of the high-dollar contracts of left tackle Trent Williams, tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and running back Christian McCaffrey and conclude the 49ers simply cannot pay another wide receiver. Giving Aiyuk $28 million per year means they’re giving their top two receivers nearly $52 million in average annual value. That’s a lot!

For this season though the deal could be structured in a way that actually saves the 49ers money against the cap this year. They could potentially cut Aiyuk’s $14.2 million cap hit in half to save money now while pushing his bigger cap hits into the future when the cap keeps climbing and some of the other sizable contracts come off their books.

There’s a harsh reality that comes with this though. That group of offensive weapons featuring Willams, Kittle, Samuel and McCaffrey may not be in the 49ers’ long-term plans. San Francisco has to start gearing up for the future where Aiyuk figures to be a major player for them entering his prime while Kittle, Samuel and McCaffrey all clear 30-years old and Williams pushes 40.

So as the trade rumors and speculation fly, and Aiyuk is lauded as a fit for teams because of his ability and age, the 49ers will be aiming to pay him for all of those exact same reasons. There’s a definite scenario where the two sides don’t come to a deal, but the 49ers will be bending over backward to try and ensure a key piece of their future is locked up long-term.

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Lions should have real interest in Eagles’ desire to trade EDGE Haason Reddick

Lions should have real interest in the Eagles’ desire to trade EDGE Haason Reddick, but there are complicating factors in making it happen

Last night’s Super Bowl officially ended the 2023 season. It’s time now for free agency and the draft, and loading up the Detroit Lions for another deep playoff run, hopefully one that culminates in playing in next year’s final game.

There’s another way to add impact talent to the roster: trades. And the Philadelphia Eagles have created an opportunity for the Lions to answer one of their biggest questions on defense.

The Eagles have given permission to edge rusher Haason Reddick to seek a trade. Reddick has hit double figures in sacks in each of the last four seasons, with 11 in 2023 after 16 in his fantastic 2022 campaign. The two-time Pro Bowler is one of the most consistent stand-up pass rushers in the league.

Yes, the Lions should have interest in trading for Reddick. But it’s not as simple as GM Brad Holmes calling up his Eagles counterpart, Howie Roseman, and snatching away a good starter for nothing.

First, there’s the matter of salary. Reddick is due $15.5 million in the final year of the three-year, $45 million contract he signed with the Eagles in 2022. There’s also a $1 million roster bonus due on March 15 that likely serves as an unofficial deadline for the Eagles to get a trade done.

The Lions can readily absorb the $15.5 million hit. But one of the reasons the Eagles are prepared to move on is because Reddick, who turns 30 in September, has already been angling for a deal similar to what Montez Sweat (Chicago Bears) and Rashan Gary (Green Bay Packers) have gotten recently. That’s in the range of $20 million to $24 million per year.

Making that kind of contract fit would be difficult for Detroit. Remember, the Lions have to pay (in no particular order) Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Jared Goff and at least one of their starting guards a lot more money than they get now — all in the next six to 12 months.

Of course, the Lions could view Reddick as an expensive one-year rental, but that would figure to lower what Detroit would be willing to give up to acquire him. The Lions will not be the only bidder. Pay attention to the wording from the Eagles, too. They’ve given permission to Reddick to seek a trade. Read as: Reddick and his representation get to seek out the best deal they can find, and then the Eagles have to agree to it. Reddick wants to cash in before he turns 30 and before his decline in overall play starts to get more noticeable. He has never been a great run defender or tackler with the Eagles, Panthers or Cardinals, so keeping up the sacks and pressures is mandatory to his value.

The 11 sacks were great, and the manner in which Reddick gets them would perfectly fit into the Lions defense on the opposite side of Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit should definitely be interested in paying Reddick for the 11 sacks and the closing speed around the outside edge that the team sorely lacked in 2023. But they have to be careful not to expect the 16-sack season that Reddick posted in 2022, when he was named second-team All-Pro. That sure looks like an anomalous peak season.

That distinction might not seem important, but it certainly is for Reddick. This is most likely his last chance to get a big paycheck, and he’ll emphasize his peak. So will the Eagles in any trade discussion, and that’s the difference between (spitballing here) two Day 2 picks over the next two drafts or a second-round pick this year and a sixth-round pick swap in 2025. For a team like the Lions, who build so carefully in the draft, that’s a big deal.

I would expect Holmes and the Lions to be a leading contender to acquire Reddick. They should be, anyway. He’d make for a wonderful complement to Hutchinson and give the pass rush the dimension it sorely lacked from the likes of Charles Harris, Romeo Okwara and an injured James Houston in 2023. But the price will need to be right, and that’s something the Lions cannot control.

Former Gator Tre Mann traded at NBA deadline

After three years in Oklahoma City, former Gators guard Tre Mann is headed to Charlotte in a trade deadline deal.

Former Florida guard [autotag]Tre Mann[/autotag] was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, Feb. 8, just ahead of the 3 p.m. trade deadline.

Oklahoma City is acquiring All-Star forward Gordon Hayward in exchange for Mann, guard Vasilije Micic, forward Davis Bertans and two second-round picks. Mann has the highest upside of the group, but he’ll still have to prove himself to break into the rotation.

The former five-star recruit played two seasons with the Gators from 2019-2021. As a sophomore, he led the team averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. The Thunder took him with the 18th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, and he broke out as a rookie.

Mann started 26 games in 2021-22 and shot 36.0% from three-point range as he averaged 10.4 points a night. That efficiency waned in the 2022-23 season, though. His minutes from 22.8 a night to 17.7, and he finished the season shooting just 31.5% from the distance.

Meanwhile, the Thunder continued to add depth to its guard rotation, forcing Mann out. A trade was the best thing for his career at this point, as Mann was averaging 9.2 minutes per game before being traded.

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Boston rumored to be interested in trading for Utah Jazz floor general

As with Kelly Olynyk, a trade for Dunn would be a reunion of sorts, if only technically.

It seems the Boston Celtics have a lot of interest in players on the Utah Jazz as potential trade targets. MassLive’s Brian Robb reports that in addition to former Boston big man Kelly Olynyk and Italian forward Simone Fontecchio, that the Celtics might want to trade for defensive-minded point guard Kris Dunn as well.

“The Jazz have two players that could fit the bill on that front as the team has kicked the tires on 6-foot-7 Italian forward Simone Fontecchio and former lottery pick Kris Dunn,” writes Robb. As with Olynyk, a trade for Dunn would be a reunion of sorts. But only of the technical variety, as the Providence alum was dealt to Boston in the move to ship Tristan Thompson to the Sacramento Kings in the 2021 offseason.

But Dunn was then dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies before the start of the 2021-22 season, who waived him.

After a stint with the Portland Trail Blazers, Dunn latched onto the Jazz and elevated his game to where it is now, with the Connecticut native putting up 5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game with Utah in a high-use reserve role.

A dogged defender who can move the ball and score a bit with a career-high 40.9% of his treys going in this season, we think a Dunn addition could compliment Payton Pritchard’s offensively-oriented game.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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Celtics rumored to be interested in Kelly Olynyk, Delon Wright, Andre Drummond as trade targets

A number of intriguing players have been linked to the Celtics.

The rumor mill is heating up as the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline draws nearer to the Feb. 8 cutoff on moving players between teams. A number of intriguing players have been linked to the Boston Celtics as that team looks to bolster its bench rotation ahead of the 2024 NBA playoffs.

Former Celtics like Utah Jazz center Kelly Olynyk have reportedly been of interest for the Celtics, but his contract structure would make for a difficult swap. Others, like Washington Wizards guard Delon Wright, make enough that a deal would be hard — but not impossible. Still others, like Chicago Bulls veteran big man Andre Drummond, are affordable and perhaps gettable, but are likely to have plenty of other suitors to beat out.

The hosts of NBC Sports Boston’s “Arbella Early Edition” linked up with the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn to talk over Boston trade buzz.

Check it out above!

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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Rumor: Celtics interested in trading for surprise Utah Jazz forward

Fontecchio fits the bill of a bigger forward Boston is reportedly looking for.

There has been plenty of ink spilled on the possibility of a reunion between the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz big man Kelly Olynyk. But rumbles of the Celtics having interest in trading for another member of the Jazz’ roster have begun to percolate.

According to The Athletic’s Tony Jones, Italian forward Simone Fontecchio has caught the eye of Boston’s front office. “Utah’s starting small forward has emerged as a serious trade target for two contending teams,” writes Jones, naming the Celtics and Phoenix Suns as those teams. “Both teams need to strengthen their respective second units, and Fontecchio has an easy salary number for Phoenix and Boston to get to as he is in the final year of a contract that pays him $3.1 million annually.”

“Fontecchio has emerged this season as an effective rotation-level player,” he adds. “He has shot the ball well, particularly since being inserted into the starting lineup. He’s also proven to be at least an adept wing defender.”

“The Celtics need frontcourt depth,” Jones rightly notes, “and Fontecchio would be a good fit there. He’s a shooter with size and length, which will allow him to play in lineups with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He’s fearless on the floor.”

“The Celtics are in a better spot and have a few firsts at their disposal,” he adds, though we feel anything beyond this coming draft’s first round pick would be too much — and then, only if no players were going out in the deal.

More likely, an array of three or even four second-rounders feels fair for both parties in our estimation, and Fontecchio fits the bill of a bigger forward Boston is reportedly looking for.

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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Celtics linked to three names in trade rumors ahead of NBA’s 2024 deadline

The 2024 NBA trade deadline is nearly upon us.

The 2024 NBA trade deadline is nearly upon us, and with it comes endless trade speculation and a constant churning of the rumor mill. Also known as “silly season” due to the high volume of rumors floating around with an agenda, separating fact from fiction is easier said than done.

And such was the case with a recent set of trade rumors connected to the Boston Celtics that suggested the Celtics have an interest in a trio of players that at least from a fit point of view makes sense for Boston. But when one starts looking into how such a trade might actually go down in the real world, it becomes clear that some of those rumors are more likely to become reality than others.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” and “Talkin’ Cs” podcasts sat down to talk through that trio of rumored Celtics targets and their plausibility, as well as getting caught up on the news.

Check it out above!

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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Celtics Lab 239: Previewing Boston’s 2024 NBA trade deadline possibilities with Jack Simone

What can the Celtics do to get better? Which moves are more likely, and which make little sense?

The NBA’s 2024 trade deadline now perhaps better measured in hours than in days. And knowing what the range of possibilities that exists for the Boston Celtics to choose from to make moves to bolster their roster for a push to the 2024 NBA Finals is a good place to start.

What can the Celtics do to get better? Which moves are more likely, and which make little sense? Who are the likely targets, and which ones might surprise us? More importantly, what is off the table for Boston’s front office, and which trade targets should the Celtics be pursuing?

To get our bearings for what should be an impactful if comparatively quiet trade deadline for Boston, the hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast linked up with “How Bout Them Celtics!” cohost Jack Simone to talk ourselves through his recent trade deadline primer for Celtics Blog.

We also touch on the news, recent games, Marcus Smart’s return, Joel Embiid’s knee, and a ton more, so be sure to tune in.

The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by FanDuel.

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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Report: Boston Celtics ‘expressed interest’ in Kelly Olynyk, Delon Wright, Andre Drummond as trade targets

Boston is reportedly looking to bolster its bench.

The NBA’s 2024 trade deadline is just days away, with rumbles about what the Boston Celtics starting to warm up as the proximity grows. The Celtics have reportedly “expressed interest in a wide range of trade targets, including Kelly Olynyk, Delon Wright, Andre Drummond, and others,” according to new reporting from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

“The Celtics are looking to package some of their minimum contract players at the end of the rotation and draft pick compensation to bolster their bench heading into the playoffs,” notes the H/H reporter. “Drummond would fit the parameters of Boston’s current compensation package above, while Olynyk and Wright would likely cost more.”

As Scotto alludes, a Boston trade for Olynyk is functionally impossible given it would take one of the Celtics’ core players to match his $12.2 million in salary.

Wright, earning $8.1 million this season, is an unrealistic option for Boston for similar reasons.

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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