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Goodwill: 'Keep an eye' on the San Antonio Spurs

Goodwill: 'Keep an eye' on the San Antonio Spurs

NBC Sports6 days ago
Vincent Goodwill joins the Dan Patrick Show to discuss Kevin Durant's trade to the Houston Rockets, Achilles' injuries in the NBA, the outlook for the San Antonio Spurs, and more.
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Nikola Jokić's backup commits to Nuggets after EuroLeague flirtation
Nikola Jokić's backup commits to Nuggets after EuroLeague flirtation

USA Today

time20 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Nikola Jokić's backup commits to Nuggets after EuroLeague flirtation

After Denver Nuggets executive vice president Ben Tenzer strongly hinted that Jonas Valančiūnas would stay in Denver following a EuroLeague flirtation, it wasn't clear exactly how Valančiūnas felt about putting off Europe (for now). Valančiūnas has changed all that by taking the professional route. On Monday, BasketNews' Donatas Urbonas shared an unofficial statement from the Lithuanian center in which he "fully" committed to the Nuggets' mission of winning the 2025-2026 NBA championship. While mostly unfounded, there were lingering questions about whether Valančiūnas would continue to spar with the Nuggets over staying in the NBA. Given Valančiūnas's status as a potential quality innings eater to help keep three-time league MVP Nikola Jokić fresh over the course of an entire season, these were more than fair concerns. Valančiūnas has put those questions to rest by proactively stating his full intentions for Denver out in the open, thereby ensuring everyone associated with the Nuggets doesn't have to worry about him pulling out the rug at the last moment through the rest of the summer: After enjoying one of the best offseasons of anyone in the NBA, the Nuggets now have one less problem to worry about. Obstacles will assuredly still arise here and there. You know, like they do for everyone. But Valančiūnas's "will he or won't he?" situation finally coming to an end means this championship contender can start focusing on gearing up for the long haul in earnest. It can start focusing on basketball and basketball alone. How will Jonas Valančiūnas help the Denver Nuggets? Valančiūnas's role with the Nuggets should mostly be pretty elementary. He will be expected to help keep Denver afloat every time Jokić is off the floor. The backup center position has been a major bugaboo for the Nuggets and Jokić, particularly over the last half-decade or so. It had gotten to the point where, most nights, the Nuggets could ill afford to give their best player any extended rest over fears that his backup and a bench lineup would inevitably crater together. Naturally, this setup has led the Serbian superstar to overextend himself in the regular season and use some of his energy that would have been better utilized in the postseason for a franchise that considers itself a championship contender. Valančiūnas won't solve all of the Nuggets' problems. He is not a player without flaws, particularly on the defensive end. But he is an experienced offensive player with a reliable bag of tricks he's polished over the years. He should be enough to actually keep Denver afloat whenever Jokić isn't playing. That, in itself, will be a godsend to a team that relies so much on the best basketball player in the world.

Supreme Court Urged by NBA To Clarify 37-Year-Old Law
Supreme Court Urged by NBA To Clarify 37-Year-Old Law

Newsweek

time22 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Supreme Court Urged by NBA To Clarify 37-Year-Old Law

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The National Basketball Association (NBA), along with support from the National Football League (NFL), is urging the United States Supreme Court to provide a definitive interpretation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), a law enacted in the 1980s to protect consumer video rental and viewing records. Why It Matters As digital content and streaming services have redefined the modern viewing landscape, federal courts are divided on whether this decades-old law should apply to those accessing free online content. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd and 7th Circuits have ruled that the law does apply to consumers of a videotape service provider's non-audiovisual goods and services, while the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected this interpretation. "Only this Court can resolve the split," Shay Dvoretzky and Raza Rasheed, attorneys for the NBA, wrote in a brief filed Wednesday. Newsweek has reached out to the NBA for comment. A general overall exterior view of the Supreme Court, on January 1, 2023, in Washington. A general overall exterior view of the Supreme Court, on January 1, 2023, in Washington. Aaron M. Sprecher via AP What To Know The case centers on Michael Salazar, who in 2022 filed suit against the NBA after subscribing to its free online newsletter and watching complimentary videos on while logged into Facebook. Salazar alleges his video viewing history was shared with Meta, Facebook's parent company, without his consent, via tracking software incorporated on the NBA's website. The NBA argues that Salazar is not protected under the VPPA because he subscribed to the NBA's free email newsletter, not its audiovisual content. In October 2024, the 2nd Circuit ruled that Salazar was a "consumer" under the VPPA because he had exchanged personal information for access to NBA content. The 7th Circuit agreed with the 2nd Circuit's decision, but the 6th Circuit rejected those decisions, holding that the VPPA's protections only to those who subscribe to videocassette tapes or similar audiovisual materials. "This case is an excellent vehicle for addressing both the VPPA split and whether Salazar had standing to begin with," attorneys for the NBA wrote in a brief. Salazar's attorney, Joshua I. Hammack, argues that the Court should not consider the case because a final judgment has not been reached, and two amended complaints have been filed since the NBA petitioned the Court for certiorari. "This case is far from an 'ideal' or 'perfect vehicle,'" Hammack wrote in a brief. Newsweek has also reached out to Hammack for comment. In May, the NFL filed a brief supporting the NBA's petition and emphasizing the potential industrywide repercussions. The NFL argued that Supreme Court intervention is necessary to address a rise in class action lawsuits against content providers under the VPPA. "Absent the Court's intervention, sports leagues and other online content providers will continue to face a slew of class actions under the VPPA," attorneys for the NFL wrote in the brief. What is the VPPA? The VPPA was passed by Congress in 1988 and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. The law is also referred to as the "Bork bill" because it was passed after Robert Bork's video rental history became public during his Supreme Court nomination. The law states that a "videotape service provider" who knowingly discloses information about any of its consumers is liable to provide relief. What People Are Saying Shay Dvoretzky and Raza Rasheed, attorneys for the NBA, in a brief filed Wednesday: "The parties agree that the petition presents an important, certworthy VPPA question. This case is an excellent vehicle to resolve that question and whether Salazar has Article III standing. The Second Circuit's decision on both questions was wrong, and it threatens widespread damage to the modern internet economy. The Court should intervene." Joshua I. Hammack, attorney for Michael Salazar, in a brief: "Nothing about 'subscribing' is unique to audiovisual goods or services. There is simply no basis to rewrite the VPPA's definition of 'consumer' to impose a limitation that appears nowhere in the text." What Happens Next The NBA has filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court. The Court has yet to decide whether it will hear the case. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@

Lakers Are Viewed As Potential Destination For Elite Defender To Pair Up With Marcus Smart
Lakers Are Viewed As Potential Destination For Elite Defender To Pair Up With Marcus Smart

Yahoo

time43 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Lakers Are Viewed As Potential Destination For Elite Defender To Pair Up With Marcus Smart

Lakers Are Viewed As Potential Destination For Elite Defender To Pair Up With Marcus Smart originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers have become a far more relevant team in the offseason. After being very quiet in the early days of free agency, the Purple and Gold got the ball rolling with some impressive additions to bolster their roster strength. Among their latest moves, the Lakers acquired former DPOY Marcus Smart. Once Smart clears waivers after being bought out by the Washington Wizards, he is expected to sign with the Lakers on a two-year, $11 million deal. The addition of Smart significantly strengthens the Lakers' backcourt rotation. But considering their aspirations of becoming title contenders, the Lakers still have more work to do. To address this, Grant Afseth presented Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday as a potential target for the Purple and Gold. He wrote: "Multiple sources recently told that Holiday is a name to monitor, particularly as a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers." "That's not to say active conversations are taking place, but his name continues to surface in NBA circles as the team evaluates options to add more talent around LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Other teams are monitoring the situation, though the Lakers are widely viewed as one of the most natural fits if Portland explores a deal. This presents an interesting outlook for the Lakers. The notion of pairing a former DPOY in Smart with one of the best defenders in the league could be promising for the Purple and Gold. With this possibility in mind, we explore a trade proposal that would facilitate such a deal to go through. Proposed Trade Details Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jrue Holiday Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht Given that this trade package is primarily formulated to help the Lakers get better, it has significant benefits for them. But as constructed, this could have upside for the Trail Blazers too. The Lakers Acquire A Defensive Stopper For the Lakers, this trade is of mutual interest for the team as well as Holiday himself. After being traded from the Boston Celtics, reports were suggesting that Holiday was annoyed because he was traded to Portland. This immediately sparked rumors, marking a potential exit from the team before even debuting with them. Should the Lakers successfully trade for Holiday, they would not only be acquiring a defensive stopper, but they'd also be adding a two-time champion to their roster. In the last five years, Holiday has been a part of two title-winning squads. His recent experiences of winning it all could be crucial in driving success for the Purple and Gold this upcoming season. The 35-year-old also brings tons of experience and productivity with him. With averages of 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game on shooting splits of 44.3% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range, Holiday is the ideal complementary player for a star-driven team. On a team headlined by stars like Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the veteran would carve out a place for himself by fulfilling critical team needs, something that could prove pivotal to the Lakers' success. The Trail Blazers Reinforce Their Roster Depth This deal also has merit for the Trail Blazers, who are poised to be a significantly more intriguing team than they were last season. With the signing of Damian Lillard in free agency, Portland is expected to be significantly more competitive, although this would only be for the 2026-27 season after he returns from injury. Regardless, this deal sees the Blazers acquiring two capable veterans on expiring contracts along with a talented young player. With Rui Hachimura, Portland adds depth to their frontcourt rotation. Last season, Hachimura was a vital part of the Lakers' frontcourt. His defensive effort and perimeter shooting were a huge factor in keeping the team afloat in unfavorable situations. His averages of 13.1 points and 5.0 rebounds on 41.3% shooting from the perimeter were a welcome sight on most nights. The acquisition of Gabe Vincent could also be huge for Portland. While having him on an expiring contract gives the team a lot of cap flexibility next offseason, Vincent has displayed the ability to be a contributor on the defensive end as well. As a capable on-ball defender, Vincent's high work rate and effort helped him disrupt several plays. He shot 35.3% from three-point range last season, which was a part of his contribution to the offense, having averaged 6.4 points per game. As beneficial as veteran leadership is to a young team, there exists a necessity for young talent that will grow with the team as well. In this regard, Dalton Knecht's arrival could be significant for the Blazers' bench rotation. In his rookie season, Knecht displayed a lot of potential as a sharpshooter and scorer, averaging 9.1 points on shooting splits of 46.1% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc. Having showcased his ability to get hot in a hurry, Knecht could prove to be a key scoring boost for this young team when given meaningful playing time. Should The Lakers Pursue Holiday? There are virtually no downsides to pursuing Jrue Holiday for the Lakers. While they will be looking to part ways with expiring contracts, and Dalton Knecht frequently being mentioned in trade chatter, the Purple and Gold will simply be doing what they planned to do. The addition of Holiday gives the Lakers a lot of depth, particularly in their defensive rotations. His reliable presence on both ends of the floor could also be essential in developing on-court chemistry. But considering that the 2x All-Star has three years left on his contract, the Purple and Gold may hesitate to pursue the deal. Given their inclination to keep cap space clear for the 2026 offseason, acquiring Holiday would essentially go against these story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.

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