Latest news with #DefensivePlayeroftheYearAward
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants' Dexter Lawrence among stars 'on the radar' for potential new contract
New York Giants' Dexter Lawrence among stars 'on the radar' for potential new contract Star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is the engine that drives the New York Giants' defense. Though he still has three years remaining on the four-year, $87.5 million contract extension he signed during the 2023 offseason, there's a chance discussions of a new deal may arise sooner rather than later. When looking at the potential big deals coming down the pike, Anthony Holzman-Escareno of included Lawrence as a player who could be on the radar for a new deal following the 2025 campaign. Lawrence is the best interior defensive linemen this side of Chris Jones. Lawrence led the NFL in sacks through the first eight weeks of the 2024 season, despite being double-teamed at the league's highest rate (63.8%). He has three years remaining on his current deal, but if he can put together a dominant 2025 season, Lawrence is the type of building block you make sure to keep around and keep happy. Lawrence was firmly in the discussion for the Defensive Player of the Year Award before he suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 12. Per Pro Football Focus, Lawrence recorded 36 total pressures to go along with nine sacks and 16 QB hits. Over the next three seasons, Lawrence carries salary-cap hits of $23.7 million, $26.96 million, and $26.5 million, respectively, per Spotrac. A new deal may seem premature, but an extension could help the Giants free up some future money with Malik Nabers (after 2026) and Kayvon Thibodeaux likely seeking new contracts soon as well. If Lawrence continues to play at this elite level, which is possible for defensive tackles going into their 30s, there is certainly a conversation that will need to be had potentially after the 2025 season.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins MVP: Thunder star becomes eligible for 5-year, $380 million contract, largest in NBA history
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the 2024-25 NBA MVP. That's going to make him a very rich man. With his first MVP win, Gilgeous-Alexander is now eligible to sign the largest contract in the history of the NBA at five years, $380 million, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. The one catch is he will have to wait until the 2026 offseason to sign it. That contract, which Gilgeous-Alexander can get no matter what happens next season, would pay him $76 million annually, which would exceed even Shohei Ohtani's average annual value (even counting the Los Angeles Dodgers star's deferral money). Even better, because he split with his agent a few months ago, none of that money will be going to agent fees. The Thunder have also been pretty clear they're ready to give him that contract, despite their small market. Gilgeous-Alexander was already on track to cash in this summer, as his two All-NBA selections made him eligible for a four-year, $293 million extension, which works out to 30% of the salary cap. However, players become eligible for 35% of the salary cap (the supermax) if they enter their eighth or ninth season with either an MVP award in the past three seasons (check) or All-NBA selections or a Defensive Player of the Year Award in either the past season or two of the past three seasons (also check). The player also has to be playing for either the team that drafted him or one that acquired him during his rookie contract (check). So Gilgeous-Alexander only needed to make an All-NBA team, even the third team, to be supermax-eligible next year, but he ended up winning MVP and (you would assume) a third straight All-NBA first-team selection. Gilgeous-Alexander is already under contract for three more seasons, by virtue of his earlier five-year, $172 million extension. Between that contract, the supermax and his original $17 million rookie deal, he will have $576 million in career earnings through the first 14 years of his career. No wonder he was feeling so generous he bought Rolex watches for the entire Thunder team. SGA GOT THE WHOLE TEAM ROLLIES 😮💨 @Jay_MWilliams_ @shaiglalex — Overtime (@overtime) May 21, 2025
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins MVP: Thunder star becomes eligible for 5-year, $380 million contract, largest in NBA history
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is reportedly the 2024-25 NBA MVP and about to become a very rich man. With his first MVP win, Gilgeous-Alexander is now eligible to sign the largest contract in the history of the NBA at five years, $380 million, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. The one catch is he will have to wait until the 2026 offseason to sign it. That contract, which Gilgeous-Alexander can get no matter what happens next season, would pay him $76 million annually, which would exceed even Shohei Ohtani's average annual value (even counting the Los Angeles Dodgers star's deferral money). Even better, because he split with his agent a few months ago, none of that money will be going to agent fees. The Thunder have also been pretty clear they're ready to give him that contract, despite their small market. Gilgeous-Alexander was already on track to cash in this summer, as his two All-NBA selections made him eligible for a four-year, $293 million extension, which works out to 30% of the salary cap. However, players become eligible for 35% of the salary cap (the supermax) if they enter their eighth or ninth season with either an MVP award in the past three seasons (check) or All-NBA selections or a Defensive Player of the Year Award in either the past season or two of the past three seasons (also check). The player also has to be playing for either the team that drafted him or one that acquired him during his rookie contract (check). So Gilgeous-Alexander only needed to make an All-NBA team, even the third team, to be supermax-eligible next year, but he ended up winning MVP and (you would assume) a third straight All-NBA first-team selection. Gilgeous-Alexander is already under contract for three more seasons, by virtue of his earlier five-year, $172 million extension. Between that contract, the supermax and his original $17 million rookie deal, he will have $576 million in career earnings through the first 14 years of his career.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Minnesota Lynx Star Named Most Likely to Win MVP
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is undoubtedly one of the best players in the WNBA. She put together one of her best seasons as a pro last season, solidifying her status as a franchise cornerstone. Now, she is getting significant recognition from general managers throughout the league. Advertisement In a survey released by the WNBA, general managers voted Collier as the player most likely to win the 2025 KIA WNBA MVP Award. She received 67% of the votes, finishing ahead of Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson (25%) and Indiana Fever second-year guard Caitlin Clark, who received 8%. Collier's ascension as one of the best players in the league has been one to watch; she finished second in MVP voting last season and earned the Defensive Player of the Year Award. She averaged 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists while leading the Lynx to a 30-10 record. In the same survey, she tied with Wilson for the best forward in the league, receiving 33% of the was voted the best defensive player in the WNBA, receiving 33% of the votes while beaten out Wilson and Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas. Advertisement It remains to be seen whether Collier can win the MVP this season. She's clearly shown the ability to elevate her play and has delivered great results for the Lynx. She enters this season as a favorite to win the are considered favorites to win it all, and it's hard not to see why. They boost one of the most talented rosters in the league with Collier, Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride, and should be in contention for a championship.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ime Udoka explained how Draymond Green and Gary Payton II blew up Rockets' last perplexing shot
Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green was a finalist for this year's Defensive Player of the Year Award but ultimately lost out to Evan Mobley's sterling efforts. (At least Green was able to take home another "honor.") Nonetheless, we saw exactly why Green had legit DPOY considerations at the end of Monday's Game 4 between Green's Warriors and the Houston Rockets. With the game on the line on Houston's last possession, Green basically played perfect defense on Rockets All-Star center Alperen Sengun. He forced the young big man into settling for a tough, contested floater from the top of the key that predictably never looked like it had a real chance of going through the net. Advertisement Even worse for the Rockets, the miss officially gave the Warriors what sure feels like an insurmountable 3-1 series lead. Oof. As Houston head coach Ime Udoka explained after the game, Sengun had to take the contested floater because Green and Warriors teammate Gary Payton II essentially telegraphed the entire sequence. Between Green denying the initial catch on the in-bounds play and Payton keeping Fred VanVleet from getting Sengun switched onto him, the Warriors' duo knew exactly what was coming. They knew that putting the still-green Sengun into that adverse spot — who is getting his first taste of the postseason this spring — was the most ideal chance Golden State had at securing the win: It's little moments like this that illustrate the stark difference between the Warriors and Rockets. Advertisement Golden State is battle-tested and has veterans like Green who have been in tight playoff game situations so many times over the years. By direct contrast, this is the Rockets' first real blush with the tension of the postseason. This last possession from Sengun was a perfect example of that. And the only way to learn and do better in the future on these sorts of plays is to fail on your first try. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ime Udoka pointedly credited Draymond Green for blowing up Rockets' potential game-winner
