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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Suns Seeking a Timberwolves-Friendly Return for Kevin Durant…
The Minnesota Timberwolves fell one round short of the NBA Finals for the second-straight season, leaving the new Lore + A-Rod ownership group — which is set to seize control of the organization later this month — with some early soul searching during their first offseason running the team. Already deep into the luxury tax, the Wolves' $92 million tax bill ( comes in as the second-highest of any NBA team for the 2024-25 season. If Marc Lore and his bevy of minority billionaire investors, assuming they get the necessary number of votes needed later this month when the NBA Board of Governors meet. Phoenix Suns trying to escape insane luxury tax penalties with KD trade Minnesota's future tax outlook, however, is more promising, after they traded Karl-Anthony Towns right before training camp last offseason (more on that below). That's the same type of move the Phoenix Suns need to make this year. Advertisement The Ishbia-owned Suns need to save themselves from entering a luxury tax hell that, not only netted them the league's highest tax bill in 2024-25, at a whopping $152 million, but also has Phoenix scheduled to pay an even higher $165 million in 2025-26. Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Phoenix's most likely trade candidate — who could bring back even more than what he is worth (given his age), is 36-year-old superstar and 10x All-NBA selection — is Kevin Durant. The 17-year veteran put up another standard year last season, posting 26.6 points, 6 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 62 games. The Suns are trying to keep it cool, claiming there is a world in which they hold onto KD, but they aren't fooling anyone. At this point, it kind of feels like a Kevin Durant trade is as likely as daily ESPN shows like First Take spending an hour every day on some big city topic nobody cares about. Minnesota Timberwolves continue rise as favorite to land Kevin Durant Questions regarding KD trade rumors usually center around when a deal will go down and which partner the Suns + KD will ultimately choose to do business with, less about whether Phoenix will actually deal him. Advertisement Sportsbooks aren't as sure. DraftKings has the odds to roster Durant for game one of the 2025-26 season as a virtual three-way tie between the Rockets (+280), the Timberwolves (+350) and the Suns (+350). But whether you believe he'll eventually be traded or not, there is no doubt the Phoenix Suns are having active discussions trying to trade him right now. Then on Tuesday, a report out of Hardwood Paroxysm — a popular site written on and operated by popular NBA reporter Matt Moore — released details on what the Suns are looking for, in those talks. And let's just say… Moore has no cold water to dump on Minnesota Timberwolves fans hoping their team will trade for Kevin Durant this offseason… The Suns have indicated to teams that center is at a premium for them in any KD talks. He might stick around, but their biggest interest is in solving the center position, which has been a disaster since moving on from Ayton. Matt Moore – Hardwood Paroxysm Well, well, well… do the Minnesota Timberwolves have what the Phoenix Suns are looking for, or what? I can't imagine Connelly and Finch sending Naz Reid out in a deal, but he certainly qualifies as a big man. So would Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. In other words, the Suns have a buffet of bigs to choose from in Minnesota. Related: The Minnesota Timberwolves are Stuck with Tim Connelly Of course, there is a reason why the Rockets have the highest odds to land Kevin Durant. They have younger, and arguably higher upside big men, in 6'11' center Alperen Sengun, who averaged 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game last season, along with 6'10' PF Jabari Smith Jr (12.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and 6'8″ F Tari Eason (12 ppg, 6.4 reb). Where will Kevin Durant end up and how can the Timberwolves afford him? Recently, reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves planned to continue their pursuit of Durant this offseason, and that arguably the best jump shooter from inside the three point line in basketball history is indeed interested in playing with his mentee, Anthony Edwards, and the Wolves too. Advertisement Others have reported extensive talks between the Rockets and Suns too. In other words, there is a lot of work left to do before we know more about where Kevin Durant will wind up this offseason. But if we learned anything last year, it's that president of basketball operations Tim Connelly — who verbally committed to staying with the Minnesota Timberwolves long term on Monday — is open to lifting and lowering the Wolves' future luxury tax burden, depending on what he feels is best. By unloading Karl-Anthony Towns on the New York Knicks, just before the start of the 2024-25 NBA regular season, in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a 1st round draft pick, Connelly not only saved about $10 million in tax payments for Lore and A-Rod this year, but that trade also sent their 2025-26 projected luxury tax payments plummeting to No. 8 in the NBA. Advertisement Related: Karl Anthony Towns' New Teammates Turn on Him After Playoff Exit As of today, Minnesota sits just over $4 million above the tax threshold for next season. projections include the opt-in amounts on players who could choose to opt-out, like Julius Randle's $30.9 million and Naz Reid's $15 million, the latter of which is expected to opt-out and then sign back on a much larger deal. It won't be easy to fit Durant into their plans, and it won't be cheap either. But without a doubt, Tim Connelly could find a way to get it done, if given a legitimate opportunity. Related Headlines
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What every Notre Dame 2025 draftees first NFL contract details are
What every Notre Dame 2025 draftees first NFL contract details are It was a solid NFL draft showing for Notre Dame football, as they saw six players get taken during the festivities last week. While others did get opportunities to make an NFL roster, the players selected are more likely to stay with their respective teams. It's always interesting to find out what each one of their first contracts will look like, and with the help of there is some good data out there about what their deals will entail. Find out below the anticipated contracts of each Notre Dame player taken during the 2025 NFL draft. Cornerback Benjamin Morrison Selected: Round 2, overall pick No. 53 Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Contract: 4 years for $8,209,282 Bonus: $2,610,390 Breakdown: While Morrison would have made more if he was drafted a bit earlier, it pays to play in Notre Dame's secondary. If he comes back healthy from his hip surgery, the Bucs will view this deal as a steal. Safety Xavier Watts Selected: Round 3, pick No. 96 overall Team: Atlanta Falcons Contract: 4 years for $6,185,644 Bonus: $1,138,647 Breakdown: Watts, like Morrison, missed out on making a bit more with his first NFL contract, but it's still a pretty hefty payday. Don't be surprised to see him also outperforming his deal and draft slot. Linebacker Jack Kiser Selected: Round 4, pick No. 107 overall Team: Jacksonville Jaguars Contract: 4 year for $5,254,631 Bonus: $1,054,631 Breakdown: Many didn't quite see Kiser going this high, but he did, and should be pretty happy about it. He's going to be making a solid salary for a team he could contribute to early. Defensive lineman Rylie Mills Selected: Round 5, pick No. 142 overall Team: Seattle Seahawks Contract: 4 years for $4,666,629 Bonus: $466,629 Breakdown: Although Mills got picked after Kiser, his annual salary is very comparable. The biggest difference here is the signing bonus, as the linebacker got more than double. Tight end Mitchell Evans Selected: Round 5, pick No. 163 overall Team: Carolina Panthers Contract: 4 years for $4,590,235 Bonus: $390,235 Breakdown: A similar situation as Mills, just a bit less due to getting draft a few picks later. Evans should fit in very nicely with the Panthers, and should outplay his first NFL contract. Quarterback Riley Leonard Selected: Round 6, pick No. 189 overall Team: Indianapolis Colts Contract: 4 years for $4,434,805 Bonus: $234,805 Breakdown: The smallest bonus of the drafted Irish players, you can bet that Leonard really isn't worried about that. He's more concerned about showing that the Colts can have a hometown favorite at quarterback for years to come.
USA Today
17-03-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Highest-paid NFL WRs: Where Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins rank
Highest-paid NFL WRs: Where Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins rank Show Caption Hide Caption Mike Greenberg says Aaron Rodgers still has ability to succeed in the NFL ESPN commentator Mike Greenberg chats with Mackenzie Salmon about what's left in the tank for Aaron Rodgers as he searches for a new team. Sports Seriously The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2025 NFL offseason hoping to agree to long-term extensions with top receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The Bengals achieved that goal Sunday, according to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz. Cincinnati is signing Chase and Higgins to top-dollar deals to make them the highest-paid receiver duo in the NFL. The two talents will make a combined $276 million over four years, good for a combined average annual value (AAV) of $69 million. The previous record for a receiver duo was the $58.3 million in AAV given to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins. Here's a look at how Chase and Higgins' individual deals compare to those of other top receivers league-wide. Ja'Marr Chase contract details Chase signed a four-year deal to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Below are the terms of the deal, per Term : 4 years : 4 years Total value : $161 million : $161 million Average annual value (AAV) : $40.25 million : $40.25 million Guaranteed money: $112 million Chase's deal comes after he led the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17) during the 2024 season. He joined Steve Smith (2005) and Cooper Kupp (2021) as the only receivers to win the "Triple Crown" since 2000. JA'MARR CHASE CONTRACT: Full details of new deal with Bengals Tee Higgins contract details Like Chase, Higgins inked a four-year deal, making the 26-year-old the highest-paid No. 2 receiver in the league. Below are the terms of the deal, per Term : 4 years : 4 years Total value : $115 million : $115 million Average annual value (AAV) : $28.75 million : $28.75 million Guaranteed money: TBD It isn't yet clear how much guaranteed money Higgins received as part of his deal, but Schultz reports the first two years of his contract are fully guaranteed. Higgins logged 73 catches for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns for the Bengals last season. He achieved those numbers despite playing in just 12 games due to injury. TEE HIGGINS CONTRACT: Full details of new deal with Bengals Highest-paid NFL WRs Chase is now the highest-paid receiver in NFL history while Higgins ranks top 10 across most of the notable financial categories. Below is a look at the league's highest-paid receivers in AAV, total contract value and guaranteed money. AAV Total contract value Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals: $161 million Justin Jefferson, Vikings: $140 million CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: $136 million DK Metcalf, Steelers: $132 million Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions: $120.01 million Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers: $120 million Tee Higgins, Bengals: $115 million D.J. Moore, Bears: $110 million A.J. Brown, Eagles: $96 million Calvin Ridley, Titans: $92 million Guaranteed money Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals: $112 million Justin Jefferson, Vikings: $110 million CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: $100 million A.J. Brown, Eagles: $84 million D.J. Moore, Bears: $81.525 million Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions: $77 million Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers: $76 million Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins: $76 million Tyreek Hill, Dolphins: $59 million Deebo Samuel, Commanders: $58.1 million NFL'S HIGHEST-PAID PLAYERS: Where does Ja'Marr Chase's contract rank in 2025? Who is the highest-paid non-QB? As mentioned, Chase is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. He surpassed a $40 million AAV deal given to Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett on eve of free agency. Below is a full list of the highest-paid non-QBs in terms of AAV.
USA Today
14-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Broncos DL Zach Allen seeking $25 million per season
Denver Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen is coming off the best season of his career, and he might soon be due for a big pay raise. Allen was named a second-team All-Pro last season after posting career highs in tackles (61), quarterback hits (40) and sacks (8.5). Allen is now entering the final year of the three-year contract he signed in 2023 and he's set to earn $13.25 million in 2025. Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reported last week that Allen is seeking a "lucrative contract extension" in the neighborhood of $25 million per season. Allen's projected market value is about $22.1 million, according to Allen, 27, certainly deserves a big raise, but he's not the only player seeking a new deal. Two other key defenders -- defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and pass rusher Nik Bonitto -- are also scheduled to become free agents in 2026, and they have made it clear with their social media activity that they want extensions sooner rather than later. On offense, wide receiver Courtland Sutton is also entering the final year of his contract with a base salary of $13.5 million after earning $15.2 million last season. Sutton might want a raise -- and an extension to give him more long-term security. Denver's front office will likely turn its attention toward in-house extensions once the bulk of free agency has wrapped up. We are tracking all the team's moves on Broncos Wire. These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
When does 2025 NFL free agency start? Dates to know
A new calendar year will soon begin for the NFL. And players will land in different places. According to there are 753 pending free agents this offseason, including six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams, who was released by the New York Jets on Tuesday. Most free agents are unrestricted and will be free to sign a new contract with any team. Here is what you need to know. NFL free agency officially starts at the beginning of the new league year. In 2025, the NFL league year begins on Wednesday, March 12 at 1 p.m. MST, 4 p.m. ET. Fans can expect to hear more about landing spots for big free agents before the 12th. In the two days before the league year begins, there is a negotiation period known as a "legal tampering period." Players and agents can enter into contract negotiations with teams during this period, but nothing is official until the 12th. This year's negotiation period begins on Monday, March 10 at 9 a.m. MST, noon ET. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When does 2025 NFL free agency start? Dates to know
