Latest news with #DPOY
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NBA Finals 2025: How the Thunder built a roster that is the envy of the league
With the NBA Finals set to begin Thursday, it only makes to look back to see how both teams got here. Not in terms of the three teams they beat in the playoffs, but rather how their rosters were constructed, allowing them this chance at NBA immortality. We've already taken a look at the Pacers, so now it's time for a deep dive on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Advertisement Right off the bat, we must acknowledge the Thunder have had one of the most atypical models of team-building in the history of the league. Yes, they built primarily via the draft, which has been a common strategy for decades, but they did so in such a juiced-up way, it became it's own thing. The best way to describe how general manager Sam Presti went about this job is to imagine any random mobile game that you pull out on the bus home. We all know them. The more time you spend on them, the more gems or digital cash you get to reach new goals. That's Presti and draft picks, but in real life. There is literally a non-zero chance that Presti somehow acquired two firsts and five seconds as this piece was being typed out. As a matter if fact, OKC has 11 first-round picks through 2030. Advertisement But, of course, regardless of how many picks a team has, you still need a crown jewel, and ironically Presti had to go outside the organization to find it. (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports illustration) The Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Jalen Williams trade When Kawhi Leonard met with the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2019, he made one thing painfully clear: The only way he was signing there, was if the Clippers acquired another star to come along with him. The Clippers, seeing the potential of signing Leonard, obliged and identified Paul George as the perfect running mate. They reached out to Oklahoma City, which was in no rush to pivot off George, a top-three vote-getter in both MVP and DPOY that year. Advertisement As such, Presti set his price, and the Clippers went all-in. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari were the players sent out, and what followed was one of the most aggressive draft-pick trades of all-time. Five first-round selections, as well as two swaps, were relinquished. The 2021 and 2023 firsts came via Miami, which were picks previously acquired by Los Angeles. The Clippers also gave up their own first-round selections in 2022, 2024 and 2026. Finally, the Clippers included swap options in 2021 and 2025. The acquisition of Gilgeous-Alexander turned into a franchise-altering move, as the high-scoring Canadian became a three-time All-NBA player and earned his first league MVP honor this season. Advertisement As for the 2022 selection ... that turned into Williams, who became an All-Star and made All-NBA in his third season and is unquestionably the second-best player on the team. The pieces around them Before selecting Williams at No. 12 in 2022, the Thunder had just completed a 24-58 season and won the second overall pick in the draft that year. They spent that pick on Chet Holmgren, who has turned the Thunder into a three-star team (we'll discuss this a little later), with the organization now having a star at the guard, at the wing and at a big position— a positional star breakdown every team in the league covets. Advertisement In 2019, the Thunder identified Lu Dort, an undrafted 6-foot-3 oddball of a player who wasn't quite a guard and wasn't quite a wing, but something in between. After going undrafted, he was signed to a two-way deal and has since evolved into a starter who's in Year 6 with the team and is one of the most effective bullying defenders in the league. Cason Wallace, a 2023 first-round selection, was originally chosen by Dallas. The Thunder traded for him, giving up their own selection (Dereck Lively) and Dāvis Bertāns in the process. Wallace is a key two-way role player, who played over 27 minutes per game in the regular season and is currently playing over 22 minutes per game in the postseason. Advertisement Just last year, OKC added to its undrafted-defender war chest when it pried away Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls, relinquishing former lottery pick Josh Giddey, who couldn't even stay on the floor in the playoffs. Caruso is now the Thunder's best perimeter defender and one of their best connectors. That same summer they went out and spent big on Isaiah Hartenstein, deciding that big-man depth was of tremendous importance, especially as Holmgren is more of a finesse defender than a physical one. Those are really their key pieces, but two more names are worth mentioning. Isaiah Joe was waived by the Sixers in 2022, and the Thunder picked him up just three days later, realizing his plug-and-play capabilities. Joe is now the Thunder's best guard shooter and is earning over $12 million per year. Advertisement Finally, Aaron Wiggins was a late second-round pick in 2021 whom the Thunder brought along slowly. He's now one of their best offensive wings and can be used in multiple lineups. The three-star model For most teams, the three-star model is a no-go because it's often translated into the three-max model, meaning a team will spend the vast majority of the cap on just three players, disallowing it of any substantial depth. The Thunder will, eventually, face the same issue. However, since Holmgren and Williams were both drafted by them, Presti didn't have to relinquish depth or assets for their services. Advertisement Therefore, when their extensions are in place, the team will have already loaded up with depth, pieces and draft capital for future reinforcements. Will the Thunder keep everyone around? Probably not. But that doesn't mean any major roster turnover is coming anytime soon. Overall, the Thunder executed their plan perfectly. They optimized bites of the draft apple and landed multiple stars and depth that 29 other teams wish they had. It might also land them a championship in a few weeks.
USA Today
14 hours ago
- General
- USA Today
Broncos roster: Pat Surtain (No. 2) enters Year 5 as NFL's best cornerback
Broncos roster: Pat Surtain (No. 2) enters Year 5 as NFL's best cornerback Broncos Wire's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fifth-year cornerback Pat Surtain, No. 2. Before the Broncos: The son of former NFL cornerback Patrick Surtain Sr., PS2 played high school football in Florida before going on to star at Alabama. He was named a Unanimous All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year after helping the Crimson Tide win a national championship in 2020. Surtain (6-2, 202) left college as one of the top cornerbacks in the nation. Broncos tenure: Denver used its first pick (ninth overall) to select Surtain in the 2021 NFL draft. He has been a star since Day 1, making PFWA's All-Rookie Team in 2021 before going on to earn Pro Bowl selections each year from 2022-2024. Surtain was named a first-team All-Pro in 2022 and 2024, winning Defensive Player of the Year last fall. The 25-year-old cornerback has totaled 232 tackles, 47 pass breakups, 11 interceptions (including two returned for touchdowns), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery through four years (66 games) with the Broncos. Chances to make the 53-man roster: Lock. Surtain is the team's best player, and he will enter the 2025 season ready to defend his DPOY title. Already considered the best cornerback in the NFL, PS2 is entering his prime. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. setting the tone early for a DPOY season
Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. setting the tone early for a DPOY season Don't look now, but a Defensive Player of the Year season could be coming to NRG Stadium this fall if Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. keeps up his attentiveness through the summer and into Week 1. Anderson, who last season totaled 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, seemed to be in his element Friday during the team's OTA session, blowing past linemen and reaching the quarterback. During team drills, he used an inside move in team drills to get past offensive lineman Tytus Howard to sack Davis Mills. This has become a common theme in practice. The only thing stopping Anderson these days is the whistle and the fact that he doesn't want to hurt a teammate. Since OTAs began on Wednesday, he's been the backfield more than he's been on the sidelines, something that's even impressed third-year defensive coordinator Matt Burke. 'He's on a mission," Burke said Friday. "He dropped a move today in the pass rush setting that was a new move for him. He executed it really well. Really cool to see. He's just really trying to work on a lot of details to climb that ladder to be the best.' While attention is most focused on C.J. Stroud and the new-look offense under Nick Caley, the Texans' defense will once again be the backbone of the team. A top 10 unit in 2024, Houston could be even more improved after adding veterans like defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason. Stroud, who hopes to earn a massive contract extension this offseason, isn't the only player set up for a new deal. Anderson could cash in as a top-five paid defensive lineman with an impressive third year. He plans on notching at least 11 sacks and told the Houston Chronicle that one of his goals is to Win Defensive Player of the Year. The version on the field during drills Friday afternoon is a strong baseline to make the goal a reality by December.
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
WATCH: Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig lead Steelers LB drills at OTAs amid T.J. Watt absence
WATCH: Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig lead Steelers LB drills at OTAs amid T.J. Watt absence T.J. Watt was not in attendance for Day 1 of Steelers OTAs — leaving OLBs Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig to lead to charge in practice drills, as the former DPOY seeks a potential record-breaking extension with Pittsburgh. It's worth noting that OTAs are voluntary — but rumors suggest Watt could replicate his infamous 2021 'hold-in,' when he skipped team practices in a move that ultimately earned him a $112 million deal. Several analysts and insiders have predicted that Watt is looking to surpass Myles Garrett's historical four-year, $160 million extension with the Cleveland Browns — with an emphasis on beating out his $123.5 million in guaranteed money. With Watt skipping Day 1 of OTAs, and likely the remaining five practices from now until June 5, Highsmith and Herbig were captured on video leading the Steelers linebackers in practice drills — courtesy of The Athletic's Mike DeFabo, which fans can check out down below. Will the Steelers get a deal done with Watt soon — or will Highsmith and Herbig continue to help Pittsburgh prepare for life without the former Defensive Player of the Year?
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF puts Texans' Will Anderson Jr. low on its list of the NFL's best edge rushers
PFF puts Texans' Will Anderson Jr. low on its list of the NFL's best edge rushers Two years into his NFL tenure, Will Anderson Jr. has become an instant impact for the Houston Texans' turnaround under DeMeco Ryans. Not only did the 2023 No. 3 overall immediately become a disruptive edge rusher, who also broke J.J. Watt's rookie sack record with seven and led all rookies in tackles for loss and pressure en route to a playoff bid and division title. The 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year should take another step forward in his third season, staking his claim as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He's spent the offseason working out with former DPOY recipient Myles Garrett and has leaned up his muscle mass to make him more agile coming off the edge. After totaling 11 sacks in 2024, Anderson hopes to break the single-season record set by Watt in 2012 ahead of a payday next offseason. Regardless, most pundits view the former Alabama star as a can't-miss pass rusher who's yet to reach his full potential. Pro Football Focus is high on Anderson entering Year 3, ranking him as the ninth-best edge rusher in the league behind reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse. "Anderson, the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year, elevated his game in Year 2, earning an 88.8 PFF overall grade — ninth among 119 qualifying edge defenders," PFF wrote. "He hit his stride late in the season, with four of his five highest-graded performances coming in Week 12 or later, including both playoff games. Perhaps PFF continues to bank on upside since this is the second time a former top-level rookie was set behind the current flavor at the position. C.J. Stroud recently appeared as the No. 14 quarterback on PFF's list after having a "setback" behind a mediocre offensive line in 2024, while current Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels appeared at No. 6. Injuries have hindered Anderson's full potential, which could have factored into why he's ranked below Verse. In both years, Anderson has missed multiple games due to lower-body issues. The good news for Houston is it features two of the league's better backups with Darrell Taylor and Derek Barnett. The Texans also have five-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter lined up opposite of Anderson. He also appeared on the list at No. 12, grading out in the top 20 for both run blocking and pass rushing. "After eight productive seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Hunter signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent in March 2024," PFF wrote. "In his first year with the team, he ranked among the top 20 edge defenders in both pass-rush grade (81.1) and run-defense grade (73.2)." If the Texans duo can stay healthy, they could be the best pass-rushing team in 2025 without a close second in sight.
