Latest news with #Holiday
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sources: Jrue Holiday 'is a name to monitor' for the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers took another step forward toward possibly fielding a championship-caliber team this coming season by snagging veteran guard Marcus Smart on Saturday. Smart, who won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022, agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Washington Wizards and quickly agreed to join the Lakers on a two-year, $11 million deal that he can officially sign once he clears waivers. But one cannot safely assume the Lakers are done making moves this summer. They could still use a true 3-and-D guard or wing, and as great a defender Smart has been, he's not a 3-and-D player, as he's always been an anemic 3-point shooter. Per Grant Afseth of the Portland Trail Blazers' Jrue Holiday, another veteran guard known for his defense, "is a name to monitor" as far as L.A. is concerned. "Multiple sources recently told that Holiday is a name to monitor, particularly as a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers," Afseth wrote. "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." Holiday has been named to one of the NBA's All-Defensive teams six times in 16 seasons, and he's an absolute menace as far as locking up opponents on the perimeter. Unlike Smart, he's a dependable 3-point shooter — he has a career mark of 37% from that distance, as well as career averages of 15.8 points and 6.2 assists a game, and he has won two championships with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics. But landing him would be difficult for Los Angeles. He will make $32.4 million this coming season, which would make him expensive, and he has three years left on his contract, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. Holiday recently turned 35 years of age, so one has to question whether it would be wise for L.A. to take on that type of contract for a player who could bring diminishing returns. Holiday happens to originally be from the San Fernando Valley, and he played his lone season of college basketball at the University of California, Los Angeles. The Celtics traded him to Portland earlier this month as they look to trim salary.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Lakers Linked to Potential Trade for 2-Time All-Star Guard
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 Los Angeles Lakers are fresh off of their third outside move of the NBA offseason. On Saturday, they agreed to terms on a two-year, $11 million contract with free agent guard Marcus Smart following his buyout from the Washington Wizards. That move followed the two additions of Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia. All three moves should help improve the Lakers from what they had last season. However, there are still questions about the team's ability to compete for a championship during the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a three point basket in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden on April 20, 2025... Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a three point basket in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden on April 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. More Photo byWith that in mind, Los Angeles has now been linked as a possible trade suitor for a two-time All-Star guard. Read more: Warriors' Stephen Curry Doesn't Hold Back About Ja Morant According to NBA reporter Grant Afseth of Fastbreak Journal, the Lakers are viewed as a potential trade suitor for Portland Trail Blazers veteran guard Jrue Holiday if they decide to shop him in trade discussions. "Multiple sources recently told that Holiday is a name to monitor, particularly as a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers," Afseth wrote. "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 Dončić. Other teams are monitoring the situation, though the Lakers are widely viewed as one of the most natural fits if Portland explores a deal." Holiday would be an incredibly interesting fit for Los Angeles. He would be able to slide into the starting lineup as the Lakers' shooting guard if he were acquired. Afseth also shared more details about the trade with the Boston Celtics that sent Holiday to the Trail Blazers. "Another factor is health. Sources say Holiday's trade to Portland was delayed before becoming official due to a red flag in his physical," he wrote. "The original deal reportedly included two second-round picks being sent to Boston, but the Celtics ultimately received no draft compensation. Knee-related concerns are common knowledge among rival teams when evaluating Holiday's availability." Read more: Knicks' Jalen Brunson Calls Out Myles Turner Over Free Agency Decision During the 2024-25 NBA season with the Celtics, Holiday played in 62 games. He averaged 11.1 points per game to go along with 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals, while shooting 44.3 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from the three-point line. While this isn't a report that Los Angeles is in discussions with Portland about a potential trade, Holiday is worth keeping an eye on as a potential Lakers' target down the road. For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Ottawa Citizen
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
Bluesfest Day 7: Green Day conquers the masses
Article content Green Day, one of the United States' most popular punk-influenced bands, descended on Bluesfest for the first time Friday, deploying a volley of hits during a momentous main-stage performance that drew a huge crowd to the plaza of the Canadian War Museum at LeBreton Flats Park. Article content Under clear skies and refreshingly cool temperatures, the legendary rockers worked hard to make it a great show, winning over a crowd that had been buzzing with anticipation for weeks. Article content Article content In fact, it was hard to tell who was more into it, the fans of all ages packed shoulder to shoulder singing along to every word, or the band members rejoicing that they weren't at home in Trump's America. Article content Article content 'This is Ottawa. This is Canada,' bellowed singer-songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong at one point. 'This is not America.' Article content In that spirit, the protest-minded American Idiot made a perfect starting point, with lyrics tweaked to reflect the current political situation. It was followed by the still-relevant, anti-war anthem, Holiday, and the 2009 advisory Know Your Enemy, which also carries some pertinent messages for today's voters (and featured a fan from the audience shout-singing along on stage). Come to think of it, most of the Green Day catalogue has aged remarkably well, largely thanks to the combination of smart songwriting and the resurgence of an uncertain political climate. Core members Armstrong, Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt, now in their 50s, looked to be in great shape, too. Article content Article content Instead of dwelling on the issues of the day, however, they made the concert great fun, feeding off the energy that emanated from the crowd. When he wanted to gauge reaction, Armstrong shouted 'Hey-O' and listened for the echo. When he wanted to rage, it was 'Let's go crazy, Ottawa.' Article content Armstrong was so impressed with everything that he announced a new headquarters for the California-based band. 'I'm not going home,' he declared. 'We are Green Day from Ottawa, from now on.' Article content The love grew with each song, from Boulevard of Broken Dreams to Longview, Welcome to Paradise, Dilemma, 21 Guns, Basket Case and more. A final singalong, this time on the melodic Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), lulled listeners into a sense of bliss as the show ended, only for a dazzling fireworks display to provide the real climax. Article content
NBC Sports
6 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Damian Lillard heading back home to Portland, near to deal to join Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard is headed back to Portland. The city he loves and where he is a franchise icon. Lillard is a free agent after being waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks (to free up room for them to sign Myles Turner), and he is deep in negotiations to return to Portland, a story broken by Zach Lowe of the Ringer and Bill Oram of the Oregonian. Then Lillard confirmed the news on Instagram. Damian Lillard announces his return to Portland on Instagram. Lillard reportedly will sign a three-year, $45 million contract with a player-option in the third year and a no-trade clause. The idea is that he will spend this coming season rehabbing from his torn Achilles before playing two more years in Portland. From the moment Milwaukee waived him, a return to Portland was always considered a possibility in league circles — it's where he always wanted to be, and that ended up outweighing chasing a ring somewhere else. Portland is where Lillard's home and family are, and it's where his heart always has been. Lillard played 11 seasons for the Trail Blazers where he was a seven-time All-NBA and All-Star player, as well as the 2013 Rookie of the Year. He averaged 25.2 points and 6.7 assists a game while with the Blazers, as well as developing a reputation as one of the best clutch players and best leaders in the league. Lillard's leadership is something Portland could use, particularly with a young roster that includes guards Scoot Henderson and Toumani Camara, as well as the recently drafted center Yang Hansen from China. The Trail Blazers also traded for Jrue Holiday this offseason and have held on to him as a mentor for their young guards — Lillard and Holiday were traded for each other back in 2023 and are now teammates. With Lillard sidelined for this season recovering, questions about rotation minutes and how all the guards fit together are not pressing. Holiday could be traded to a contender at the deadline or next summer, or other things will happen that will change the guard dynamic in the next year. The Trail Blazers traded Lillard two summers ago in an effort to jump-start a rebuild and get him to a team where he could contend. That deal worked out for the Blazers, who got Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Camara, and the Bucks 2029 first-round pick in the deal. However, that trade never quite came together as envisioned for Milwaukee, as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard never quite meshed. After Lillard tore his Achilles this postseason, it was the Bucks who decided to move on, stretching Lillard's nearly $113 million remaining on his contract over five years to free up short-term cap space (but have $22 million in dead money on their books for each of the next five years).
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside Blue Peter star's life 20 years after he left iconic BBC show
Stuart Miles was a regular face on Blue Peter before he sensationally quit the BBC show and now, more than two decades on, the star is completely unrecognisable Two decades after his Blue Peter days, former presenter Stuart Miles looks completely different. Renowned for his role on the beloved children's programme, Stuart departed whilst taking a dig at Blue Peter, arguing it had become disconnected from its young BBC audience. His departure came hot on the heels of his mate and co-presenter Richard Bacon's dismissal over cocaine use. Stuart argued that the traditional craft segments and pet features no longer captured children's attention. "With the year 2000 nearly here we've got to make Blue Peter more relevant to modern-thinking children," Stuart announced, demanding changes to revitalise the programme's appeal. "Less twee, more hard-hitting. I know it's like a comfort blanket for a lot of people, a programme that will never shock or offend you, but we err on the side of caution." At just 27, Stuart had become Blue Peter's longest-serving presenter, making his exit a major setback for the BBC, which was already grappling with the fallout from Richard's sacking and subsequent replacement. It has been 26 years since leaving Blue Peter behind and Stuart's professional journey has remained active. He has taken on numerous prominent roles throughout television, both presenting and working behind the scenes, reports the Manchester Evening News. He's been a guest presenter on hit shows like This Morning and Holiday, and even had a stint presenting on Sky Vegas, the interactive gambling TV channel. He also joined forces with fellow Blue Peter legend Katy Hill to host a breakfast show on Heart radio. In 2008, Stuart debuted his drag act, The Adventures of Pink Peter, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, taking on the persona of Vera Singleton, the fictional sister of former Blue Peter host Valerie Singleton. Reflecting on his Blue Peter tenure a decade later, Stuart expressed regret for not being open about his sexuality during his time on the programme. In an honest chat with Metro, he admitted: "I only have one regret and that is I spent a lot of my time on the show feeling conflicted about my sexuality." He admitted his concerns over potential negative reactions from the media and parents if he disclosed that he was gay. Stuart pointed out: "This may seem daft to someone growing up gay in 2018 but it's easy to forget how, as little as 20 years ago, we were in a very different place." Now at 56, Stuart has undergone quite the transformation since his Blue Peter days and has embarked on a new chapter as a professional speaker with Great British Speakers. Blue Peter itself has seen major changes recently, moving from live shows to pre-recorded episodes. Last year saw former hosts Anthea Turner and Janet Ellis spearhead a campaign to save the iconic show when it faced outsourcing.
