Latest news with #McMenamin
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Linked With Hawks' Big Man Onyeka Okongwu: "Lob Threat, Athleticism..."
The Los Angeles Lakers saw their season come to an end after a swift first-round exit, courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves. But the loss may have been the key to triggering new growth, as it helped the team outline the necessary moves they needed to make in the offseason. The team's offseason plan was made abundantly clear during the team's last press conference of the season. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka highlighted their need for a big man, specifically an athletic big man who could be a defensive threat or a floor-spacing big. Advertisement While the player profile covers a vast spectrum, it is quite evident that the Lakers are looking for a player who can run the floor with their star, Luka Doncic. With this in mind, ESPN's Dave McMenamin appeared on "Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre" to reveal the kind of players who the Purple and Gold had shown an interest in. While referring to the team's links to Charlotte Hornets big man Mark Williams, McMenamin said: "I do know the Lakers made a call to the Hawks around the trade deadline about Okongwu. I think lob threat, athleticism, absolutely. In terms of being a perfect fit, maybe not. They might not get a perfect fit, though." Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu would make for an interesting pick-up if the Lakers choose to pursue it. The Hawks' center is only 24 years old and played in a total of 74 games last season. This kind of durability is appreciated for a Lakers team that had grown accustomed to having injury-prone big men grace the roster. Advertisement Okongwu notched a solid average of 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds on 56.7% shooting from the field. Although he doesn't boast as much defensive upside as Williams, he is an incredibly athletic center with a lot of potential to pair well with a playmaker in the pick-and-roll. The USC product has been on the receiving end of some great lobs by Hawks guard Trae Young. Given how effective Young is at facilitating easy baskets for rim-running bigs, it is quite evident that Doncic may be able to bring the most out of him as well. Being able to pair well with the Slovenian is a big parameter for the Lakers. This aspect has seen the team linked to several players, both in free agency as well as the trade market. From trade targets like Daniel Gafford and Nic Claxton to upcoming free agents like Clint Capela and Brook Lopez, the Purple and Gold have kept their radar open. Advertisement McMenamin also made an important addition to his statement by mentioning that the Lakers will have the taxpayer mid-level exception available to them. While it will be difficult for the Lakers to acquire a legitimate center under normal circumstances, there have been trade proposals that facilitate Capela joining them using it. Meanwhile, the Purple and Gold have also been included as part of some blockbuster deals involving some superstars. However, these ideas may not align with the team's offseason plans. Related: NBA Rumors: 4 Veterans The Lakers Could Acquire This Offseason
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
McMenamin: Lakers showed interest in trading for Hawks center
McMenamin: Lakers showed interest in trading for Hawks center The Los Angeles Lakers badly need a starting-caliber center, and they have been looking for help at that position for some time now. They lacked a legitimate backup behind Anthony Davis during Davis' last few seasons with them, and once he was sent away in the Luka Doncic deal, they suddenly had a Grand Canyon-sized hole at that position. They had to survive with Jaxson Hayes, who is thin as a reed and not a consistent defensive presence, as their only true 5 on a standard contract since acquiring Doncic. The Lakers did make a real effort to plug that hole, however. They tried to land rising Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, but that attempted trade was rescinded when he failed his physical. ESPN's Dave McMenamin said on 'Straight Fire' with Jason McIntyre that they also looked into trading for Onyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks. 'Before the Mark Williams trade, and I can't tell you all the names on that list but I actually assume he was one of the names on the list that Rob Pelinka presented to Luka because I do know the Lakers made a call to the Hawks around the trade deadline about Okongwu,' McMenamin said. Okungwu, 24, is 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, and he reportedly has a wingspan of 7-foot-2. The No. 6 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, he has been starting to emerge as an impact player over the last year or two. This season, he averaged 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 27.9 minutes a game. He's a good finisher around the rim and possesses strong athleticism, as well as a solid motor, especially on the boards. He will make $15 million next season, so he could be a relatively inexpensive get for Los Angeles, at least in terms of the players it would have to give up.
Irish Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ex-GAA star will not face additional time for leaving cyclist in a coma
An ex-Donegal GAA star with a history of driving offences, who was banned from the roads when he broke a red light in a lorry and ran over a cyclist - leaving the victim in a medically induced coma - will not face any additional jail time despite an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutors (DPP). The Court of Appeal heard last week that Kevin McMenamin, who had applied for enhanced remission, was moved to an open prison after less than two months incarceration and was released from custody in October 2024, just nine months into his 21-month term. The maximum sentence for the offence is 10 years. McMenamin (43) had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm at the junction of Herbert Park Road and Morehampton Road in Ballsbridge. On January 19, 2024 he was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to 21 months in prison and was disqualified from driving for five years. The State argued that McMenamin, who has 33 previous convictions including those for drink driving and driving without insurance, is "someone who drives with disregard for the rights of other road users'. Delivering judgement at the three-judge court on Tuesday, Ms Justice Tara Burns said it had not been established that the prison term imposed was a substantial departure from the appropriate sentence. She said that having regard to the mitigating factors present, the court was of the opinion that while the sentence 'might be categorised as lenient' it was not 'unduly lenient' and the appeal by the DPP was therefore dismissed. Ms Justice Burns said the driving which took place not 'a mere matter of inattention' and noted McMenamin's 'very long history' of previous road traffic offences alongside the fact that he was disqualified from driving at the time. She said McMenamin was driving a heavy goods vehicle in a residential area and turned left through a red light, without warning and without noticing the cyclist on his inside. However, the judge said that while a term of imprisonment was 'most certainly merited', a number of mitigating features were also present including McMenamin's early guilty plea, his genuine expression of remorse, a long work history and good character references. Ms Justice Burns went on to say that although the 43-year-old's driving was dangerous, it did not include the aggravating features of speed, intoxication or the use of a mobile phone. 'We are also of the view that the sentence imposed adequately reflected the principles of general and specific deterrence,' she said. The sentencing court previously heard that McMenamin, from Church Town, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was an "extremely talented athlete" who represented his county for three years in the national league and had trials for Aston Villa and Celtic. The sentencing hearing was told that on July 22, 2021 McMenamin broke a red light in Dublin 4 and made a sudden turn, colliding with a cyclist in her late sixties. He was disqualified from driving at the time. The woman was trapped between the two sets of wheels on the truck and dragged for two metres before surrounding motorists alerted the truck-driver by sounding their horns. She spent nearly five months in hospital and underwent major surgery for her injuries, which included a broken pelvis and severe leg trauma. At McMenamin's appeal hearing last week, Jane Horgan-Jones BL, for the DPP, had argued that the sentencing judge erred in dealing with the matter as a case which was 'firmly in the lower range' of sentence available for offending of this type. She said that McMenamin is "someone who drives with disregard for the rights of other road users', adding that he has numerous previous convictions including eight for driving without insurance and two for drink driving. She highlighted the fact that the five-year driving ban imposed was just one year above the mandatory minimum disqualification of four years for an offence of this type. Ms Horgan-Jones also suggested the discount given for mitigating factors in the case, including McMenamin's plea of guilty and work history, were 'simply too generous'. Oisin Clarke BL, representing McMenamin, argued the 21-month sentence did not represent an error and noted there were cases with worse aggravating features where lower or similar sentences were imposed. 'One could not say that this is of such divergence that it would require this court to intervene,' he said. A prosecuting garda told McMenamin's sentencing hearing that the female cyclist was travelling home from town through Ballsbridge that afternoon when she noticed a large truck bouncing over speed bumps and going very approached the lights on Herbert Park Road, intending to go straight through the junction and was confident that she would get through the lights before they changed from amber to red. At the same time, witnesses described seeing the truck accelerating quickly and driving at an inappropriate speed along Herbert Park Road, before making a sudden left turn down Morehampton Road just after the lights turned red. Witnesses said the truck did not indicate before turning left. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Sunday World
06-05-2025
- Sunday World
Serial offending ex-GAA star avoids further jail time for putting cyclist into coma
free to go | The sentencing hearing was told that on July 22, 2021, McMenamin broke a red light in Dublin and made a sudden turn, colliding with a cyclist in her late sixties. Kevin McMenamin playing for Donegal at Croke Park in 2007. The Court of Appeal heard last week that Kevin McMenamin, who had applied for enhanced remission, was moved to an open prison after less than two months incarceration and was released from custody in October 2024, just nine months into his 21-month term. The maximum sentence for the offence is 10 years. McMenamin (43) had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm at the junction of Herbert Park Road and Morehampton Road in Ballsbridge. On January 19, 2024 he was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to 21 months in prison and was disqualified from driving for five years. The State argued that McMenamin, who has 33 previous convictions including those for drink driving and driving without insurance, is "someone who drives with disregard for the rights of other road users'. Delivering judgement at the three-judge court today, Ms Justice Tara Burns said it had not been established that the prison term imposed was a substantial departure from the appropriate sentence. Kevin McMenamin playing for Donegal at Croke Park in 2007. News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, May 6th She said that having regard to the mitigating factors present, the court was of the opinion that while the sentence 'might be categorised as lenient' it was not 'unduly lenient' and the appeal by the DPP was therefore dismissed. Ms Justice Burns said the driving which took place not 'a mere matter of inattention' and noted McMenamin's 'very long history' of previous road traffic offences alongside the fact that he was disqualified from driving at the time. She said McMenamin was driving a heavy goods vehicle in a residential area and turned left through a red light, without warning and without noticing the cyclist on his inside. However, the judge said that while a term of imprisonment was 'most certainly merited', a number of mitigating features were also present including McMenamin's early guilty plea, his genuine expression of remorse, a long work history and good character references. Ms Justice Burns went on to say that although the 43-year-old's driving was dangerous, it did not include the aggravating features of speed, intoxication or the use of a mobile phone. 'We are also of the view that the sentence imposed adequately reflected the principles of general and specific deterrence,' she said. The sentencing court previously heard that McMenamin, from Church Town, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was an "extremely talented athlete" who represented his county for three years in the national league and had trials for Aston Villa and Celtic. The sentencing hearing was told that on July 22, 2021 McMenamin broke a red light in Dublin 4 and made a sudden turn, colliding with a cyclist in her late sixties. He was disqualified from driving at the time. The woman was trapped between the two sets of wheels on the truck and dragged for two metres before surrounding motorists alerted the truck-driver by sounding their horns. She spent nearly five months in hospital and underwent major surgery for her injuries, which included a broken pelvis and severe leg trauma. At McMenamin's appeal hearing last week, Jane Horgan-Jones BL, for the DPP, had argued that the sentencing judge erred in dealing with the matter as a case which was 'firmly in the lower range' of sentence available for offending of this type. She said that McMenamin is "someone who drives with disregard for the rights of other road users', adding that he has numerous previous convictions including eight for driving without insurance and two for drink driving. She highlighted the fact that the five-year driving ban imposed was just one year above the mandatory minimum disqualification of four years for an offence of this type. Ms Horgan-Jones also suggested the discount given for mitigating factors in the case, including McMenamin's plea of guilty and work history, were 'simply too generous'. Oisin Clarke BL, representing McMenamin, argued the 21-month sentence did not represent an error and noted there were cases with worse aggravating features where lower or similar sentences were imposed. 'One could not say that this is of such divergence that it would require this court to intervene,' he said. Read more A prosecuting garda told McMenamin's sentencing hearing that the female cyclist was travelling home from town through Ballsbridge that afternoon when she noticed a large truck bouncing over speed bumps and going very fast She approached the lights on Herbert Park Road, intending to go straight through the junction and was confident that she would get through the lights before they changed from amber to red. At the same time, witnesses described seeing the truck accelerating quickly and driving at an inappropriate speed along Herbert Park Road, before making a sudden left turn down Morehampton Road just after the lights turned red. Witnesses said the truck did not indicate before turning left.
The 42
06-05-2025
- The 42
Former Donegal player won't face more prison time for driving over cyclist despite DPP appeal
AN EX-DONEGAL GAA star with a history of driving offences, who was banned from the roads when he broke a red light in a lorry and ran over a cyclist – leaving the victim in a medically induced coma – will not face any additional jail time despite an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutors (DPP). The Court of Appeal heard last week that Kevin McMenamin, who had applied for enhanced remission, was moved to an open prison after less than two months incarceration and was released from custody in October 2024, just nine months into his 21-month term. The maximum sentence for the offence is 10 years. McMenamin (43), from Church Town, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm at the junction of Herbert Park Road and Morehampton Road in Ballsbridge. On January 19, 2024 he was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to 21 months in prison and was disqualified from driving for five years. The State argued that McMenamin, who has 33 previous convictions including those for drink driving and driving without insurance, is 'someone who drives with disregard for the rights of other road users'. Delivering judgement at the three-judge court today, Ms Justice Tara Burns said it had not been established that the prison term imposed was a substantial departure from the appropriate sentence. She said that having regard to the mitigating factors present, the court was of the opinion that while the sentence 'might be categorised as lenient' it was not 'unduly lenient' and the appeal by the DPP was therefore dismissed. Ms Justice Burns said the driving which took place not 'a mere matter of inattention' and noted McMenamin's 'very long history' of previous road traffic offences alongside the fact that he was disqualified from driving at the time. She said McMenamin was driving a heavy goods vehicle in a residential area and turned left through a red light, without warning and without noticing the cyclist on his inside. Advertisement However, the judge said that while a term of imprisonment was 'most certainly merited', a number of mitigating features were also present including McMenamin's early guilty plea, his genuine expression of remorse, a long work history and good character references. Ms Justice Burns went on to say that although the 43-year-old's driving was dangerous, it did not include the aggravating features of speed, intoxication or the use of a mobile phone. 'We are also of the view that the sentence imposed adequately reflected the principles of general and specific deterrence,' she said. The sentencing court previously heard that McMenamin was an 'extremely talented athlete' who represented his county for three years in the national league and had trials for Aston Villa and Celtic. The sentencing hearing was told that on July 22, 2021 McMenamin broke a red light in Dublin 4 and made a sudden turn, colliding with a cyclist in her late sixties. He was disqualified from driving at the time. The woman was trapped between the two sets of wheels on the truck and dragged for two metres before surrounding motorists alerted the truck-driver by sounding their horns. She spent nearly five months in hospital and underwent major surgery for her injuries, which included a broken pelvis and severe leg trauma. At McMenamin's appeal hearing last week, Jane Horgan-Jones BL, for the DPP, had argued that the sentencing judge erred in dealing with the matter as a case which was 'firmly in the lower range' of sentence available for offending of this type. She said that McMenamin is 'someone who drives with disregard for the rights of other road users', adding that he has numerous previous convictions including eight for driving without insurance and two for drink driving. She highlighted the fact that the five-year driving ban imposed was just one year above the mandatory minimum disqualification of four years for an offence of this type. Ms Horgan-Jones also suggested the discount given for mitigating factors in the case, including McMenamin's plea of guilty and work history, were 'simply too generous'. Oisin Clarke BL, representing McMenamin, argued the 21-month sentence did not represent an error and noted there were cases with worse aggravating features where lower or similar sentences were imposed. 'One could not say that this is of such divergence that it would require this court to intervene,' he said. A prosecuting garda told McMenamin's sentencing hearing that the female cyclist was travelling home from town through Ballsbridge that afternoon when she noticed a large truck bouncing over speed bumps and going very fast. She approached the lights on Herbert Park Road, intending to go straight through the junction and was confident that she would get through the lights before they changed from amber to red. At the same time, witnesses described seeing the truck accelerating quickly and driving at an inappropriate speed along Herbert Park Road, before making a sudden left turn down Morehampton Road just after the lights turned red. Witnesses said the truck did not indicate before turning left. Written by Fiona Magennis and posted on
