Latest news with #Charania
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Insider Reveals Suns' Next Step After Head Coaching Announcement
Insider Reveals Suns' Next Step After Head Coaching Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It is set to be a busy offseason for the Phoenix Suns as they try to turn the franchise back into a championship contender. Advertisement Of course, the Suns finished the season 11th in the Western Conference with an abysmal 36-46 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season. They then kicked off their offseason by firing head coach Mike Budenholzer and then promoting Brian Gregory as their new general manager. After weeks of interviews for the head coaching vacancy, the Suns finally made a decision on Wednesday as they are hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott. ESPN's Shams Charania also reported that Suns star Devin Booker was involved in their coaching search and signed off on them hiring Ott. Advertisement After Wednesday's news, Charania then revealed what the next step is for the Suns as they continue their offseason. 'With their coaching hire set, the Suns now begin the franchise's offseason of changes to the roster. The Suns will work with All-Star forward Kevin Durant and his business partner, Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, on his next landing spot. He is expected to have a robust market of approximately four to six seriously interested teams this offseason, sources said,' Charania wrote. It is clear that the Suns are looking to move on from Durant, and likely Bradley Beal, this offseason and that is their next step after hiring their new head coach. Advertisement Charania mentioned that Durant is set to gain interest from many teams and he has already been linked to some this summer. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets have all been linked to Durant thus far but there should be other teams that enter the sweepstakes for the future Hall of Famer. Because of this, it may turn into a bidding war for the star forward, which is exactly what the Suns need as they try to rebuild their roster around Booker this offseason. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Knicks Facing Big Decisions After East Finals Loss to Pacers
Knicks Facing Big Decisions After East Finals Loss to Pacers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Knicks are still mourning their heartbreaking loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. Advertisement The Knicks were merely two wins away from making their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 1999, but thanks to the Pacers, New York and its ever-loyal fanbase have been left ruing what could have been. This opens the door for what should be a very interesting offseason ahead for the Knicks. League insider Shams Charania provided a crucial update on the organization's plans following their season-ending loss to Indiana, and it is clear that the front office is going to be quite busy in the summer. "I'm told the Knicks have internal meetings this week to really evaluate everything from their coaches to their players and just see how they move forward to continue to compete for a championship in the Eastern Conference," Charania said. "... I do expect the Knicks to be aggressive to see--is there a move out there, a landmark move potentially, that takes this team over the top? Or do they just make moves around the edges for their bench?" New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward OG Anunoby (8) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32)© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Charania did not name any names, but based on his new report here, it appears that the Knicks are willing to—at the very least—consider potentially pulling the trigger on a major trade in the offseason that could see them break up their current core. Advertisement The renowned NBA guru then turned his attention to Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, whose future with the team could also be decided this summer. Charania pointed out how much success the Knicks have had under Thibodeau over the past five seasons, which puts the veteran coach in a favorable position in terms of keeping his job. "It's been an impressive run for Tom Thibodeau," Charania continued. "I'm told he has the support, not only of Jalen Brunson, but also the front office. "So Tom Thibodeau has a lot going for him to potentially return as head coach." Whatever the case might be, what is clear is that the Knicks are facing some big decisions in the immediate future. The discussions within the team's brass this coming week should determine how this team will operate in the offseason--and beyond. Advertisement As Charania said, though, the Knicks are team to "keep an eye on" this summer. Related: NBA Insider Floats Knicks Blockbuster Trade for Two-Time MVP After East Finals Loss Related: Indiana Fever React to Caitlin Clark's Antics in Pacers-Knicks Game Related: Jalen Brunson Holds Back to Avoid Live TV Disagreement With Charles Barkley This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
NBA world ‘stunned' by Tom Thibodeau's Knicks firing: League insider
The NBA world was reportedly shocked by the Knicks' Tom Thibodeau firing. Minutes after breaking the news, ESPN's Shams Charania revealed that those around the league couldn't believe the move. 'My phone is blowing up right now with executives, everyone around the league [is] just stunned,' Charania said during an appearance on 'SportsCenter' on Tuesday. Knicks brass decided to part ways with Thibodeau after five seasons, during which the team went 226-174 during the regular season and made the postseason four times. New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau yells from the sideline during the first half of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. AP In each of the past two seasons, the Knicks were downed by the Pacers, falling short of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. 'Clearly, the Knicks did not feel like Tom Thibodeau was going to be the coach to take them over the top,' Charania said of the firing. Knicks president Leon Rose echoed that sentiment in a statement after the decision. 'Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we've decided to move in another direction,' Rose said. 'We can't thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories. Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.' Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns speaks with head coach Tom Thibodeau during the third quarter of Game 5 against the Pacers. Jason Szenes / New York Post After the Knicks' Game 6 elimination loss to the Pacers, Jalen Brunson had zero doubts when asked about Thibodeau's future in New York. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks' stunning firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau 'Is that a real question right now? You just asked me if I believe he's the right guy,' Brunson said. 'Yes. Come on.' Josh Hart reacted to the firing on social media mere minutes after learning the news. 'Forever Grateful,' Hart wrote on X. 'Thank You!'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Knicks rumors: Shams makes ‘aggressive' offseason prediction after ECF loss
The post Knicks rumors: Shams makes 'aggressive' offseason prediction after ECF loss appeared first on ClutchPoints. As the New York Knicks lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers in six games, the team now heads into the offseason, which could be another summer of making big changes. After the Knicks' failed title bid, one has to wonder what moves the team will make to further improve, which is talked about by ESPN's NBA insider Shams Charania. Advertisement Charania was on SportsCenter, where he gave insight into New York's thought process, reporting that the team will have 'internal meetings this week' to evaluate the personnel from coaches to players and discuss the next course of action. He would even say how the expectation is that the Knicks will be 'aggressive.' 'I'm told the Knicks have internal meetings this week to really evaluate everything from their coaches to their players and just see how they move forward to continue to compete for a championship in the Eastern Conference,' Charania said. 'But if we've seen the last year and a half as any indication, for Leon Rose, the Knicks president, went out and got OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns to elevate this team. I do expect the Knicks to be aggressive to see, is there a move out there, a landmark move, potentially, that takes this team over the top, or do they just make moves around the edges for their bench?' Jalen Brunson and the Knicks front office are behind Tom Thibodeau Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images With the Knicks looking to make big decisions this offseason, the one that they likely won't make, which has been speculated, is firing head coach Tom Thibodeau. Charania would speak on the success Thibodeau has had with the team thus far and how he has the support of not just star Jalen Brunson but the front office as well. Advertisement 'But under Tom Thibodeau, we've seen back-to-back 50-plus win seasons,' Charania said. 'We haven't seen that since the early 90s, and for Thibodeau's five seasons as head coach with the Knicks, they've made it to the playoffs, and so, it's been an impressive run for Tom Thibodeau. I'm told he has the support of not only Jalen Brunson but also the front office, so Tom Thibodeau has a lot going for him to potentially return as head coach, but this is a team to keep an eye on, potentially making acquisitions this offseason.' At any rate, New York looks to build off this past season, where they finished third in the East with a 51-31 record, as they were eliminated in the conference finals by Indiana.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LeBron James reportedly likely to opt into $52.6 million player option with the Lakers
LeBron James will likely return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. On Tuesday, Charania appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and shared what he knew about the 40-year-old's future with the team. "I'm told he's likely to opt in," Charania said. "He's got a player option of $54-57 million. He's got a massive player option. That's likely, that's the plan. His option date is June 29, so he still has about a month to figure [it] out. Advertisement "There's gonna be some hard conversations that are gonna happen between him [and] the Lakers," Charania added. "Seeing what this team looks like. Because LeBron James, whether he plays one more season or a few more seasons, he wants to be in a competitive environment." James is in the second year of a two-year, $101,355,998 million contract with the Lakers, with a reported cap hit of just over $52.6 million in the 2025-26 season per Spotrac. In his 22nd campaign in the NBA and seventh in purple and gold, James impressively averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game while shooting 51.3% from the field. That earned him All-NBA second-team honors. This past season has been eventful for the four-time champion, as the Lakers hired his podcast co-host, JJ Redick, to replace Darvin Ham as their head coach. Days later, the team drafted his son, Bronny James, out of USC with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Advertisement Despite Bronny and LeBron being the first father-son duo to play in the NBA, his junior spent much of the season swinging between the NBA and the G League. Los Angeles also acquired Luka Dončić in February in a shocking trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers went on to secure the third seed in the Western Conference with a 50-32 record before falling to the Timberwolves in five games. James suffered a Grad 2 MCL sprain on his left knee in Game 5 against Minnesota after colliding with Donte DiVincenzo. After getting an MRI, James was given a recovery time of three to five weeks, which would have ended his run of 292 consecutive playoff games played without a miss due to injury, Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported.
