Latest news with #Hornets
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hornets add Dons friendly to Championship preparations
Watford have added a third pre-season friendly as part of their preparations for the new Championship season. The Hornets will face League One newcomers AFC Wimbledon at Wealdstone's Grosvenor Vale ground on Saturday, July 12, kick-off 3pm. Advertisement AFC Wimbledon celebrate their play-off triumph at Wembley (Image: PA) Having finished fifth in the League Two table, former Vicarage Road loanee Johnnie Jackson's side clinched their return to the third tier by beating Walsall 1-0 in the Play-Off Final at Wembley. The match will take place four days after Paulo Pezzolano's men face Boreham Wood in their first scheduled pre-season friendly at Meadow Park on Tuesday, July 8 (kick-off 7.30pm). Watford are also due to face another League One side, Leyton Orient, at Brisbane Road on Saturday, July 26 (kick-off 3pm). The Hornets have stated 'several' behind closed doors friendlies will also take place at London Colney ahead of the start of the new campaign on the weekend of Saturday, August 9.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top 3 Centers The Warriors Can Add This Summer To Make One Last Championship Run With Stephen Curry
The Golden State Warriors have a lot to be proud of after the conclusion of another hard-fought season. While they didn't win the title this year, the Warriors showed astounding improvement with Jimmy Butler and managed to rise from 11th in the West up to 7th. Behind the play of Butler, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green, the Warriors made it all the way to the Western Conference Semifinals before ultimately losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 5 games. Now that this campaign is over, the Warriors can begin making plans for the next campaign, which will see Curry, Draymond, and Butler return for their first full season as teammates. Advertisement Even with that trio, however, the Warriors will need an upgrade at center if they want to maximize their title chances, and this upcoming summer is their next best chance to fill out the frontcourt before starting a new season. With limited assets available, Golden State will have to be selective in who they target, but there are several names right now who could prove a valuable addition both on the trade market and in free agency. The question is, how much are the Warriors willing to give up in their pursuit of a big man? Mark Williams Is Ready For Redemption It's been a quiet tenure with the Hornets for young big man Mark Williams, but nobody has forgotten him being rejected by the Lakers. Back in February, Williams was on the verge of joining LeBron James and Luka Doncic in Los Angeles before GM Rob Pelinka got cold feet and failed his physical at the last minute. Williams was sent back to the Hornets that day, and it's where he's been ever since. Advertisement With one year and $6.3 million left on his contract, Williams wouldn't be a major commitment for the Warriors, but he'll be eager to prove himself after being shunned by LA. At the very least, at 7'0" and 240 pounds, he'd bring much-needed size to the Warriors' frontcourt, which would help them in just about every aspect on the floor. While maturity and work ethic seem to be an issue for Williams, his production on the court has been solid for the Hornets, and he could thrive with those skills alongside Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. With averages of 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, Mark provides a steady presence under the rim, and that's exactly what the Warriors need for this final leg of Steph's journey. Daniel Gafford Could Unlock The Warriors' Defense In Dallas, the Luka Doncic trade sent shockwaves across the city, but things are looking up for the Mavericks after landing the top pick in the upcoming draft. With Cooper Flagg on the way, it puts everything in doubt, and that includes the availability of Daniel Gafford. Advertisement The veteran big man is reportedly a top target for the Lakers this summer (who are also looking for a center), but the Warriors could also benefit from his addition. In 57 games this season, the 6'10" center averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game on 70.2% shooting. Before Anthony Davis' arrival, he was the last line of defense for the Mavericks, and he's still got room to grow at just 26 years old. As a high-energy, athletic big man, Gafford excels in pick-and-rolls, and he's a beast in the paint and a rebounder and shot-blocker. In many ways, he's everything the Warriors need, and his contract is relatively affordable with one year, $14.4 million remaining. Brook Lopez Could Be Available As the Milwaukee Bucks ponder their future with Giannis Antetokounmpo, the status of their other core players remains shrouded in mystery. As an unrestricted free agent this summer, Brook Lopez has complete control over his next basketball destination, and the Warriors are an ideal fit, assuming they are willing to pay him. Advertisement The 37-year-old big man is already past his prime, but his size at 7'1" and 282 pounds would make a huge difference for the Warriors. Additionally, his championship experience would help him establish an early bond with Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and head coach Steve Kerr. With averages of 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists this season, Brook Lopez isn't the big man he used to be, but his elite shot-blocking ability and impressive shooting stroke make him worthy of consideration for the Warriors. He might even sign for a discount given his age and the team's status as an alluring destination. Whether it's by trade or through free agency, we can expect the Warriors to make some moves this summer to help Steph's championship pursuit. Who they add may very well determine how far they get, and the Warriors cannot afford to get it wrong and waste what is left of Curry's career. Related: Warriors Unlikely To Re-Sign Young Star And Two Important Players
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Trade Idea Pairs Anthony Davis With LaMelo Ball
NBA Trade Idea Pairs Anthony Davis With LaMelo Ball originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Mavericks shocked the sports world in February when they traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Advertisement The Mavericks, who made the NBA Finals last year, acquired Anthony Davis and Max Christie from the Lakers in the blockbuster deal. Davis only appeared in nine regular-season games with the Mavericks because of an adductor injury. He put up 20.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson just played in one game together. Irving tore his left ACL in March and was out for the season. The Mavericks missed the playoffs this year, but they did win the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. The franchise is widely expected to draft Duke's Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick. Advertisement Dallas general manager Nico Harrison targeted Davis in the Doncic trade because he believes defense wins championships. Harrison is not going to trade Davis unless the big man requests a trade. However, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed a wild trade idea where the Mavericks trade Davis to the Charlotte Hornets for Miles Bridges, Jusuf Nurkic, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2031 first-round pick. This NBA trade idea pairs Anthony Davis with LaMelo Ball next season. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images This trade would give Dallas the multiple draft picks that fans and league experts thought Harrison should have gotten for Doncic. Meanwhile, Nurkic only has one year left on his contract, while Bridges has just two. Advertisement The Hornets would get a future Hall of Famer (Davis) for LaMelo Ball, who needs more talent around him to win in Charlotte. Ball has yet to make the playoffs since entering the NBA in 2020. "This is about getting out of the contract of a post-prime and oft-injured Davis (who's far more expensive than Nurkic and Bridges and under contract through 2028) and picking up multiple picks with which to build around Flagg," Bailey wrote. "For Charlotte, this would obviously be a move to send it in the opposite direction of the one laid out above. Pursuing Davis would almost certainly mean keeping Ball. Those two would be a dynamic inside-out combo, especially with Brandon Miller providing some floor spacing on their flank." Advertisement Davis is 32 years old. He will make $54.1 million next season. The Chicago native has played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Lakers and Mavericks, posting career averages of 24.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks. Related: Blockbuster Mavericks Trade Idea Pairs Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving With $220 Million All-Star This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rumor: Baylor freshman VJ Edgecombe had 'excellent' draft interview with Hornets
After a dazzling freshman campaign at Baylor, VJ Edgecombe is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NBA draft on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, New York. Edgecombe was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, averaging 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals on 34% shooting from 3-point range. He finished in double figures 27 times, including a season-high 30 points on Jan. 22 in a win over Kansas State. Advertisement The 6-foot-5 guard is most commonly projected to be drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers or Charlotte Hornets with the third and fourth picks, respectively. He is expected to be heavily considered by the Hornets if he is still on the board, according to Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports. Edgecombe had an excellent interview with the Hornets, league sources said. And while there are no locks, plenty of executives believe he's the favorite if he makes it to the fourth pick. Edgecombe is viewed as one of the most athletic players in the draft this year and was an offensive force when getting downhill, thanks to his ability to create for himself and stretch the floor from beyond the arc. He also projects to be able to affect games at a high level on defense. The 19-year-old participated in the combine earlier this month, measuring in with a 6-foot, 7 1/2-inch wingspan. He also registered a 38 1/2-inch max vertical jump, tied for the ninth-highest mark among all participants this year in Chicago, Illinois. After missing out on the chance to have the top pick this year, the Hornets figure to land either Edgecombe or Ace Bailey in the draft. The two players both project to fit well with the roster and should help the team next year and beyond. This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: NBA rumors: VJ Edgecombe had 'excellent' draft interview with Hornets
Forbes
03-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Baron Davis On How The Charlotte Hornets Can End Their Playoff Drought: ‘For One, They Have To Be Healthy'
It's hard to believe it, but the Charlotte Hornets haven't won a playoff series since Baron Davis suited up for them. The former two-time All-Star guard played for the Hornets from 1999 until 2005. Davis was the face of the franchise after the team selected him with the third overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-3 guard led Charlotte to the playoffs during all five full seasons he was with the team, leading them to their last playoff series win in 2002. Flash forward 23 years later and the Hornets haven't won a playoff series since. Charlotte has the longest current NBA playoff series win drought and the longest postseason appearance drought, with their last one coming during the 2015-16 season. The Hornets have some key young franchise pieces, including LaMelo Ball, a former All-Star who averaged 25.2 points per game during the 2024-25 season. However, Ball only started 47 games and he was ruled out for the remainder of the season in late March due to two procedures to address ankle and wrist issues. Ball has only appeared in a combined 105 games over the past three since his All-Star appearance in 2022. The injuries to Ball combined to other key pieces of the team such as Brandon Miller and Tre Mann have played a major role in Charlotte's playoff drought. The Hornets finished with a 19-63 record, the third-worst mark in the NBA. "For one, they have to be healthy when you're a young team like that," says Davis in a one-on-one interview when asked what they do need to do get things on the right track. "It's important that your chemistry is on and when you look at Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, Tre Mann, all these guys have been hurt over the last year and a half, two seasons. "It's really derailed their growth as that next young team that could potentially be scary," Davis continues to say. "The next Detroit or Houston as far as talent. I think for the Hornets, they need to get some able bodies and the right combination of veteran leadership to complement their young superstars." The Hornets have been among the worst teams in the NBA in recent seasons, all coinciding with major injuries to Ball. During the 2023-24 season, Charlotte posted a 21-61 record and during the 2022-23 season, they posted a 27-55 record. For three consecutive years, the Hornets have posted the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. By comparison, they racked up a respectable 43-39 record during the 2021-22 campaign, the last season Ball was healthy. "We can't really start the process of seeing what you have, where you want to go, setting different goals, until you actually have a full squad, and they've never started and finished the season with the same squad," says Davis. When asked what the Hornets should do with their No. 4 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Davis says that if he was the general manager, he would be "exploring all options." "If I was the GM, I'd be exploring all options," says Davis. "I'd be trying to compliment LaMelo Ball with a veteran star or superstar, somebody that can anchor these young guys. With the fourth pick, there's going to be some great talent. But I think the Hornets are in a good position, because they got a lot of really good young talent and really good young talent that has potential. This can be an incredible off season for them where they can align themselves and put the right team together." While Davis is obviously best known for his 13-year NBA career, he has since made his mark as an entrepreneur. The 46-year-old Davis is making his mark in the business world with "Business Inside The Game," which is a membership community for athletes and entrepreneurs. Davis will be at the Social Innovation Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday in San Francisco, California and is speaking on stage on Wednesday for "A Future Worth Building: Gamechangers in Action" in session. He'll be speaking to attendees on what it means to drive social impact through entrepreneurship. "This is the first one that we're collaborating with Business Inside The Game," says Davis. Our platform and our membership concierge is starting to expand into partnerships with social innovation, which is one of the leading platforms in our space." The former NBA guard has done a few of these events at the Social Innovation Summit and explains why it's important for entrepreneurs or those thinking of becoming one to attend. "As we start looking at sports and entertainment, things are changing," says Davis. "There's going to be new opportunities and new verticals. When you look at the student athlete, the NIL athlete, professional athletes have more opportunities now to treat themselves as entrepreneurs based on the skills they want to develop and the connections and who they want to be when they grow up." Davis' biggest advice to young athletes — many who are already business-minded and entrepreneurs during their college careers — is to "invest in yourself." "Invest in yourself, invest in your education, invest in your skill sets," says Davis. "The same way you would invest in your playing career, some of the things that you want to as an entrepreneur, whatever that industry is, investing your knowledge in that industry. In turn, shadow, find mentors, because that's going to ultimately help you succeed as an entrepreneur." The former All-Star guard will be launching his app for "Business Inside The Game" this year, which is a concierge for executives, entrepreneurs and investors. He details that through membership in the app, members have special access to events behind the scenes and special activations. He also is releasing a business-centric podcast in July of the same name as his company. He name drops guests such as Jack Black, Draymond Green and Russell Westbrook's wife, Nina, who is an entrepreneur herself after starring at UCLA as a basketball player. Davis details how the biggest challenge of being an entrepreneur is the "lonely road" you travel to build your business. "Just learning how to really run a show," says Davis. "as an entrepreneur, you have to do everything for your business. In sports, you already have a team, you already have an institution and people around you. As an entrepreneur, it's more of a lonely road."
