Latest news with #TheDecision
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James reportedly won't rule out finishing career away from the Lakers to chase another ring
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has some decisions to make. If the NBA legend decides to run it back, will he return to the Lakers? And if James feels he has multiple seasons left in him, will another team have an opportunity to scoop up his services? The latter possibility is reportedly on the table, as James would consider ending his career with a franchise other than the Lakers to pursue a fifth NBA championship, according to The Athletic. Advertisement The Athletic broke down a number of issues facing the Lakers now that the team is officially in its offseason. James' future with the Lakers was a major talking point. So, might James think about finishing his career elsewhere in pursuit of a fifth ring? When posed that question, both league sources close to James and team sources would not rule that possibility out. And that was before the revealing elimination game. It's a tantalizing thought. James' forays into free agency tend to dominate NBA offseasons. "The Decision" remains one of the biggest — and most controversial — moves by any NBA player. James' return to the Cleveland Cavaliers and announcement he was joining the Lakers also stand out as major moments in not just his career, but the entire era in which he played. There's good reason for that, as James' free-agent decisions have resulted in seismic shifts within the NBA. He — along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — drastically altered how teams were built, ushering in an era of player empowerment after James joined the Miami Heat. His return to Cleveland and decision to go to the Lakers put those franchises back on the map as well. James led the Cavaliers to their first NBA championship and revived the Lakers' status as a premier franchise after the team suffered through a tough stretch from 2013 to 2018. Despite his age, the 40-year-old James hitting free agency at any point in the next 12 months or so would be the biggest story in the NBA, especially if he decided to leave the Lakers. Advertisement With that said, there are a lot of qualifiers to The Athletic's report. The first of which involves whether James wants to continue his career. The superstar wasn't ready to discuss his plans after the Lakers were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. He didn't show many signs of rust last season, and presumably still has plenty left in the tank if he wants to continue his career. If that's the case, James' easiest option is to exercise his one-year, $52.2 million option to return to the Lakers. In that scenario, James would play the 2025-26 NBA season in Los Angeles before becoming a free agent. At that point, James would once again decide whether he wanted to keep playing. If he wanted to play another year, he would have the ability to join any team. If James wanted to pursue another ring and felt the Lakers didn't offer him that chance, that could lead to a situation where James finishes out his career with another franchise. The most shocking option involves James opting out of his $52.2 million player option and immediately becoming a free agent. He's not expected to make that move, though it would give James the ability to chase another championship immediately. Advertisement Finally, there's the convoluted route in which James tells the Lakers he wants to return, but wants an extension. In that scenario, the Lakers would need to determine whether they wanted to commit additional years to a player who will be 41 in December. Despite his age, James would likely still command a huge salary, a risky proposition for a player who — to this point — has somehow evaded Father Time's grasp. If the Lakers decide that's worth the risk, then James could presumably return to the team with the intention of playing through at least the 2026-27 NBA season. If the Lakers tell James they won't extend him, things could get messy. James could choose to leave the franchise immediately. He could also opt in to his one-year $52.2 million option and play out next season in Los Angeles before hitting free agency and re-evaluating his options at the end of the year. If you read all of that and thought to yourself, "that's a lot of hypotheticals," you're right. While it's certainly possible James winds up playing for another franchise before his career ends, there are too many variables involved to know exactly what will happen. The only certainty here is that James' career is going to end soon. As long as he continues to produce at a high level, he'll be able to control when and where that happens. If he can't do that, any speculation about James' intentions past the 2025-26 NBA season doesn't really matter.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yahoo Sports AM: Top 20 sports moments of the century
Yahoo Sports AM is our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it every weekday morning. 🚨 Headlines ⛳️ JT fires course record: Justin Thomas shot a 10-under 61 to take a three-stroke lead at the RBC Heritage. Now, he'll try to do what no other PGA Tour golfer has this season: go wire-to-wire for the victory. Advertisement 🏀 Dame nears return: Damian Lillard has been medically cleared after being sidelined for a month with blood clots in his calf. He'll still miss Game 1 tomorrow, but the Bucks star could be back for Game 2. 🤸 Final Four: Utah, UCLA, Oklahoma and Missouri advanced to the NCAA gymnastics championships, where the Utes are seeking their record-extending ninth title, the Bruins are seeking their eighth, the Sooners are seeking their seventh and the Tigers are seeking their first. 🏈 College football rule change: In an effort to curb players faking injuries, the NCAA has approved a rule change wherein teams will be charged a timeout if training staff enters the field to look at a player who went down after the ball was spotted. 🏒 PWHL expansion: The Professional Women's Hockey League is reportedly set to announce new teams in Vancouver and Seattle, with those two expansion franchises joining the league's original six in New York, Boston, Minnesota, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. 🏆 Top 20 sports moments of the century David Tyree makes "The Helmet Catch." (Damian Strohmeyer/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) Rory McIlroy's triumph at Augusta was an instant classic, but was it one of the top sports moments of the 21st century? A reader posed that question this week, and I ran with it, starting with my Top 10 before expanding to my Top 20 because 10 was too stressful. Spoiler alert: Rory didn't make the list, but he did get an honorable mention! Advertisement Preface: The definition of "top moment" is something I went back and forth on numerous times. Is it about historic significance? Whether it transcended sports? How vividly it lives in our minds? A famous play is obviously a "moment," but what about an improbable playoff run? Or a cultural phenomenon that plays out over weeks? Are those "moments" or something else? While revisiting the past 25 years in sports, I quickly realized that even the most significant events don't always translate to "moments," and that some of the best moments lack historical significance. I decided to embrace the nuance and take a case-by-case approach. After an alarming number of hours spent watching YouTube videos and reliving childhood memories, I landed on a list that includes singular moments (think: iconic plays), sequences of moments (think: unforgettable games) and culminating moments (think: legacy-defining achievements). I hope you enjoy. Note: I only considered moments that happened during competition, which eliminated seminal events (like "The Decision") and "bigger than sports" displays (like George W. Bush's post-9/11 first pitch) that would have otherwise been included. Top 20 moments: List breakdown: By sport: The NBA leads the way with four moments, followed by the NFL and MLB with three each. The Olympics, College Football, Soccer and Golf have two each, while College Basketball and Tennis have one. By decade/year: 2016 is the best-represented year with four moments, followed by 2008 with three. In terms of decades, 11 moments are from the 2010s, eight are from the 2000s and one is from the 2020s. No recency bias here! Advertisement Honorable Mention, Tier 1: The Serena Slam (Jan. 25, 2003); App State Stuns Michigan (Sept. 1, 2007); Crosby's Golden Goal (Feb. 28, 2010); Wambach's Equalizer At The Death (July 10, 2011); The OBJ Catch (Nov. 23, 2014); American Pharaoh's Triple Crown (June 6, 2015); The Philly Special (Feb. 4, 2018); UMBC Stuns Virginia (March 16, 2018); Kawhi At The Buzzer (May 12, 2019) Honorable Mention, Tier 2: The Music City Miracle (Jan. 8, 2000); Luis Gonzalez's Walk-Off (Nov. 4, 2001); The Immaculate Interception (Feb. 1, 2009); The Minneapolis Miracle (Jan. 14, 2018); Clark's Logo 3 Breaks The Record (Feb. 14, 2024); Ovechkin Passes Gretzky (April 6, 2025); Rory's Triumph At Augusta (April 13, 2025) Go deeper: The 100 Best Sports Moments of the Quarter Century (The Ringer) 🏀🏒 Bring on the postseason (Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports) The NBA and NHL's concurrent playoffs begin this weekend. All eight NHL matchups are set, while the NBA bracket will be finalized at the conclusion of tonight's play-in games. Advertisement 🏀 NBA Playoffs: Six series are set, and our experts have four of them going seven games: Knicks over Pistons, Nuggets over Clippers, Lakers over Timberwolves and Bucks over Pacers. As for the other two? Warriors over Rockets in six and Celtics over Magic in a sweep. (Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports) 🏒 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Maple Leafs vs. Senators (Battle of Ontario) and Lightning vs. Panthers (Battle of Florida) offer the most geographic intrigue, but Stars vs. Avalanche (The Mikko Rantanen Bowl) looks like the best first-round matchup on paper. 📊 By the numbers Corso on the set of "College GameDay" in 2016. () 🎙️ 1 more show Lee Corso, 89, will retire after Week 1 of the college football season, when he joins "College GameDay" for one final show after 38 years with ESPN. The location hasn't been announced yet, but Tallahassee would be a good bet: The former Seminoles QB picked his alma mater during GameDay's first road show in 1993, and FSU hosts Alabama in a marquee Week 1 matchup. Advertisement ⚾️ 31st time The Pirates beat the Nationals, 1-0, on Oneil Cruz's leadoff blast — the 31st time in MLB's modern era (since 1900) that a leadoff homer accounted for a game's only run. 🏈 2.5 QBs How many QBs will go in the first round of next week's NFL draft? BetMGM's odds indicate that the betting market expects at least three. Over 2.5 QBs to be picked is -450 (bet $450 to win $100), which is implied odds of 81.8%. The under is +310. 🏒 24 in a row The USA and Canada have now made the semifinals in all 24 Women's Hockey World Championships dating back to 1990. If they both win tomorrow, they'll meet in the championship game, just as they have in 22 of the previous 23 editions. Advertisement ⚽️ £12.75 Idiot of the week: A 62-year-old Everton fan has been slapped with a lifetime ban from the club's new stadium — before it officially opened. His crime: Stealing £12.75 ($14.50) worth of chicken strips during a U18 friendly test event. C'mon, man! 📺 Watchlist: Playoffs?? Playoffs!! (Giphy) The NBA Play-In Tournament concludes tonight, with Heat at Hawks (7pm ET, TNT) followed by Mavericks at Grizzlies (9:30pm, ESPN). Then it's off to the races in the NBA and NHL playoffs, with six games on Saturday and seven more on Sunday. Saturday: Bucks at Pacers (1pm, ESPN); Clippers at Nuggets (3:30pm, ESPN); Pistons at Knicks (6pm, ESPN); Blues at Jets (6pm, TNT); Timberwolves at Lakers (8:30pm, ABC); Avalanche at Stars (8:30pm, TNT) Sunday: TBD at Thunder (1pm, ABC); Devils at Hurricanes (3pm, ESPN); Magic at Celtics (3:30pm, ABC); TBD at Cavaliers (7pm, TNT); Senators at Maple Leafs (7pm, ESPN2); Warriors at Rockets (9:30pm, TNT); Wild at Golden Knights (10pm, ESPN) More to watch: 🤸 NCAA Gymnastics: National Championships (Fri-Sat, ESPN2/ABC) … The men's tournament begins today in Ann Arbor, while the women's concludes tomorrow in Fort Worth. ⚾️ MLB: Mariners at Blue Jays (Fri. 7pm, Apple); Twins at Braves (Fri. 7pm, Apple); Padres at Astros (Sat. 7pm, FS1; Sun. 7pm, ESPN) ⛳️ Golf: PGA's RBC Heritage (Fri-Sun, ESPN+/Golf/CBS); LPGA's LA Championship (Fri-Sun, Golf) … Justin Thomas (-10) and Ashleigh Buhai/Yan Liu (-9) are the Round 1 leaders. ⚽️ Premier League: Ipswich Town vs. Arsenal (Sun. 9am, Peacock); Leicester vs. Liverpool (Sun. 11:30am, USA) … If Arsenal lose and Liverpool win, they win the league. ⚽️ Women's Champions League: Arsenal vs. Lyon (Sat. 7:30am, YouTube); Barcelona vs. Chelsea (Sun. 12pm, YouTube) … Semifinals, first leg. 🏁 F1: Saudi Arabian GP (1pm, ESPN2) … McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have won three of the season's first four races. 🏒 Women's Hockey Worlds: USA vs. Czech Republic (Sat. 9am, NHL); Canada vs. Finland (Sat. 1pm, NHL) … Winners meet in Sunday's championship. Plus… UFL Week 4 (Fri-Sun, Fox/ABC); Pro Fighters League (Fri. 5pm, ESPN); 15 MLS games (Sat, Apple/Fox/FS1); Seven NWSL games (Fri-Sat, Ion/Prime/Paramount+); ATP's BMW Open and WTA's Stuttgart Open (Fri-Sun, Tennis) ⚾️ MLB trivia () Seattle's Cal Raleigh hit his 100th career home run this week in his 482nd career game, making him the fourth-fastest catcher to reach the century mark. Advertisement Question: Which catcher got there the fastest? Hint: Active player in the AL. Answer at the bottom. 📸 Photo finish A greenskeeper tends to the eighth green at Puntacana Resort & Club in the Dominican Republic, host of this week's Corales Puntacana Championship. (Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) Golden hour. Trivia answer: Gary Sánchez (355 games) We hope you enjoyed this edition of Yahoo Sports AM, our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Travis Hunter Issues Ultimatum to Browns Ahead of NFL Draft
The age of player empowerment in sports arguably arrived when LeBron James convened "The Decision" press conference in 2010, announcing his plans to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat. Player power has increased across all sports since then, though to varying degrees depending on the sport, the player involved and the particular circumstances. That said, 15 years after James shocked the NBA world and made enemies out of most of his former fans in Cleveland, the city is at the center of an eyebrow-raising ultimatum recently issued by NFL prospect Travis Hunter. Advertisement Hunter, graded by most draft analysts as either the best or the second-best prospect in the 2025 class regardless of position (alongside Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter), won the Heisman Trophy in 2024. He did so playing both sides of the football as a starting cornerback and a starting wide receiver at Colorado. Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.© Michael Ciaglo-Imagn Images Hunter has been clear in the weeks leading up to the draft that he desires to continue playing both offense and defense upon entering the NFL. However, on Tuesday, he threatened to walk away from the game entirely if whichever franchise drafts him doesn't agree to those terms. "It's never playing football again," Hunter said April 15, just nine days ahead of the draft, per Garett Podell of CBS Sports. "I've been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball." Advertisement Hunter didn't name the Browns outright in his comments. However, Cleveland selects No. 2 overall, and several prominent draft analysts believe the Browns will ultimately pick Hunter in that spot. Colorado Buffaloes cornerback/wide receiver Travis As such, the Browns -- and potentially teams like the New York Giants at No. 3 and New England Patriots at No. 4 -- have to take Hunter seriously and assume his ultimatum is pointed directly at their organization. Quitting the sport altogether and leaving millions of dollars on the table reads like an overreaction, if not an outright bluff, to a team not acquiescing to a highly unusual and potentially dangerous demand. Playing every non-special teams snap in a game, which Hunter has said he can do and wants to do, is considerably different at the NFL level than in college and carries with it a higher risk of injury. Advertisement That said, Hunter took a strong position in what was -- at the very least -- an attempt to make clear his desires and assume a strong position in future negotiations with his first NFL team, which in many scenarios will be the Browns. Related: Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter Earn Major Honors Ahead of NFL Draft
Boston Globe
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Becoming face of the NBA after LeBron will be a tough job, but somebody has to do it, right?
Minnesota's Anthony Edwards , who was just suspended for his 16th technical foul, told reporters at All-Star Weekend he wanted no part of being the face of the game. That role will be occupied by San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama . Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up But in reality, this is not the NBA of the late 1980s and 1990s, when Michael Jordan was the league's monarch, setting examples on and off the floor. If Michael donned a suit to every game, then every rookie was suit shopping following the draft. Everyone wanted to be like Mike. Advertisement While there were other superstars during the 1990s, their impact didn't compare to Jordan's. That is no longer the case. There are several superstars with individual personalities, agendas, and brands. The league is so diverse, it's impossible to have just one face. The theory that one man can represent the league that features so many stars from so many places is absurd. There are a group of players, including the Celtics' Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown , who will lead the league after the Big Three retire. James told reporters after the Lakers' win over Minnesota that the criticism surrounding the league and the players' every move dissuades stars from embracing that mantel. One player who wants to be one of those faces is Tatum, who admittedly realizes he's overlooked for such a title and has no idea why. He's resigned to the fact that the respect he truly deserves eludes him. Perhaps USA coach Steve Kerr holding Tatum out of both Olympic games against Serbia, limiting his role amongst his peers and the Big Three, may have impacted Tatum's reputation. Advertisement Having just one face of the league limits its impact, and Jordan was a once-in-a-lifetime player. James has spent 22 years as the league's face and avoided any major controversies besides 'The Decision,' but he appears fatigued by the league criticism from all sides. All three of the other major sports have had issues with their All-Star games. Former MLB commissioner Bud Selig even incentivized the players, after years of boring games, by attaching home-field advantage in the World Series to the winning league. The NFL Yet, the P.K. Subban admonishing NBA players for their lack of effort. I think it's more fun to complain about the nba than to actually watch it. Crazy, cancel all star weekend and let's just give everybody a break since we're so miserable around this time… — Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) Durant posted on social media that since NBA players are going to get so much flak for All-Star Weekend, The league needs to improve its promotion of current and rising stars, regardless of their team or birthplace. Tatum, who scored 30 points in the first half of Advertisement James said being the face of the league is a thankless job because of that scrutiny, but that's part of the responsibility of being a cornerstone. The question is whether stars under 30 want to assume that role and accept the negativity as well as the appreciation. That role can be spread among several players but only those who truly want to embrace it. Could the media and former players be more positive about the league? Of course. Don't anticipate that adjustment. The stars are going to have to accept the state of sports media and sports fans, who have a significant voice through social media. The league is in a great place and will continue to flourish, and the face or faces of the league will eventually emerge. If they did after Jordan, they certainly will tomorrow. Is Jayson Tatum the next face of the NBA? Share The Celtics star thinks he has what it takes to be the face of the league. Columnist Dan Shaughnessy weighs in. Master class Doncic learning from James The LeBron James . And it has made the Mavericks trade of Doncic even more curious because they are struggling without him and Anthony Davis remains out with an adductor injury. Dallas acquired Davis, rising swingman Max Christie , and a first-round pick for Doncic for the express purpose of competing this season. Entering the weekend, the Mavericks are 32-28 and tied with the Timberwolves for eighth place in the Western Conference. Davis is expected back in the next few weeks and center Daniel Gafford could return this month. It's unlikely the Mavericks will fall completely out of the play-in picture, but they lead the rising Kings by just one game for the final spot. Advertisement As for the Lakers, they have risen to fourth in the West and could enter the playoffs as the second seed behind the Thunder, with home-court advantage in the first two rounds. Doncic played his former team for the first time Feb. 25 and contributed 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 107-99 win. Doncic has struggled mightily offensively since joining the Lakers, shooting 22.4 percent from the 3-point line, but he's rebounding at the best clip of his career and he's meshing well with James. 'It was so weird, the moments,' he said about playing his former team. 'I felt like I didn't know what I was doing. I can't even explain it. It was a different game. Sometimes I didn't even know what I was doing and I'm glad it's over. It's definitely going to help in the long run. ' Doncic was stunned by the trade, and it appears the Mavericks continue to leak information as to why he was moved. The Mavericks were ready to move on from Doncic much earlier than the trade deadline. They didn't feel he was a leader or a franchise cornerstone who set examples with his work ethic. NBA teams believe your best players have to be your hardest workers, and the Lakers believe that a few years playing with James can impact him in positive ways. He's already impressed with the 40-year-old James's ability to take over games and put his imprint on winning. Advertisement LeBron may not be the LeBron of 10 years ago, but he still has the ability to dominate the game in ways that impress Doncic. 'Once we get organized on offense, we've got a lot of weapons,' Doncic said. 'He's doing that at 40 years old, which is insane, to take over in the fourth quarter. I think I talk a lot about patience and [LeBron] is an example about patience. I know a lot about LeBron just watching him every day and I can learn a lot of stuff. He's an amazing player to watch.' Luka Doncic and LeBron James have found a rhythm together on the Lakers. Harry How/Getty Pistons on all cylinders Bickerstaff has led turnaround The Pistons suddenly have catapulted to one of the more inspiring stories in the NBA. J.B. Bickerstaff was Trajan Langdon about potentially taking over the Pistons. Bickerstaff wanted to coach again. He did an admirable job rebuilding the Cavaliers but was the victim of the franchise choosing superstar Donovan Mitchell , who was not a big Bickerstaff fan. He accepted the job, knowing the Pistons were coming off a miserable 14-win season in which they lost a club-record The results this season have been stunning. Led by a healthy Cade Cunningham , a more seasoned Jalen Duren , and two notable free-agent signings in Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley , the Pistons have risen in the East, a virtual playoff lock, and are soaring to a possible four seed after thumping the Celtics, They have gone from seeking respect to gaining respect. With a blend of talent, youth, and athleticism, Detroit has a legitimate shot to win a first-round playoff series. 'It's the level of competition that you bring and the test that you put your opponent up against, and if it comes easy for them you're going to have a hard time earning that respect,' Bickerstaff said. 'But if you compete your tail off, win or loss, and you make them have to earn everything, that's how you gain respect in this league — by how you push and how you challenge the next man, the next opponent, whatever it may be. I think our guys have continued to do that as the season's gone on, even in games where we might not have won.' The Pistons bullied the Celtics with staunch defense, the smooth scoring of Cunningham, rebounding of the emerging Duren, and the shooting of Beasley. The young core has matured quickly and the veteran presence has sped up the franchise's competitive process. That's how a 14-win team soars toward the high-40s in just one season. 'We always try to approach the job with the idea of no matter what happens now, we want to be better than where we started and that was our focus. Just continuing to work with guys, individually, collectively, to just to continue to get better,' Bickerstaff said. Cunningham could emerge as one of the faces of the league. He's a silent punisher, an all-around scorer who has eagerly accepted the responsibility of bringing this franchise back to respectability and is finally seeing the results in his fourth season. Injuries have been an issue in the past, but Cunningham has remained healthy and earned his first All-Star appearance this season. 'He cares about everybody on his team more than he does himself and that's a genuine thing,' Bickerstaff said. Beasley was basically dumped in Milwaukee because of his lack of defensive prowess. The Pistons took a chance on the journeyman and it's been one of the better value free-agent signings in the league. Beasley has become one of the league's top bench producers (16.7 points per game) and is shooting a career-high 44.4 percent from the field. As the Celtics saw Wednesday, Beasley brings swag and confidence to a franchise that desperately needed it. 'Having not worked with him before, when you take the time to get to know him, his personality is infectious,' Bickerstaff said. 'I feel like here he's got the ability to come show who he is. I told him today that he's ruining a whole generation of basketball players because now everybody [that] makes a three wants to do the damn shimmy instead of get back on defense, my son included. He just has that type of personality that's engaging, that you want to root for. [His] shot-making ability just lifts people up. When he's hot and that ball's in the air, you can tell when it leaves his hands [that it's going in], and it's taking the crowd's breath away.' Beasley signed a one-year $6 million deal, so his price will be skyrocketing this summer. 'Detroit, I'm with you all the way man,' Beasley said after the Celtics' win. 'My mom is from here, and I know y'all saw the recent picture of me. It's a full circle moment for me and I'm so thankful to be here. The work is being put in and the crowd is behind my back. It makes it easier to hoop and have confidence, especially when your teammates are getting you the rock and telling you to shoot.' Layups The saga of P.J. Tucker may be close to an end as he was waived by the Raptors — his third team this season, although he has not played since last season. Tucker, who will turn 40 in May, refused to report to camp with the Clippers and stayed home waiting for a trade. He was traded to the Jazz in a salary dump, then the Jazz moved him to the Raptors in a five-team deal that involved Jimmy Butler going from the Heat to the Warriors. Tucker was waived before the March 1 deadline, so he would be eligible for the playoffs if he signs a contract in the coming weeks. Since he hasn't played since last season and wanted out of an optimal situation in Los Angeles — where he was with several veterans, including former Rockets teammate James Harden — it's difficult to believe Tucker has a market with a playoff-caliber team … The Nets have some decisions to make about whether they want to be part of this postseason. Despite several moves to plan for the future and pare down their talent, Broolyn is in contention with the Bulls and 76ers for the final play-in spot in the East. The top nine teams in the Eastern Conference appear pretty much set, with the Hawks holding a three-game lead over the Bulls for the ninth spot entering Saturday. The Bulls, who have traded Zach LaVine and are pondering a rebuild, had lost seven of eight games before winning Friday and could be caught. But by who? The 76ers Cooper Flagg , although not a large one. What happens when no team wants the 10th seed and therefore no chance at the lottery? The amount of poor teams in the East has created this situation. Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at
New York Times
05-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
LeBron's input, Browns fans, ownership disagreements: Myles Garrett's first interview since trade request
Just days after formally announcing his trade request out of Cleveland, Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett sat down as a guest on 'The Rich Eisen Show' Wednesday to discuss his thought process and feelings behind the decision. Garrett, a four-time All-Pro and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, explained to Eisen why he felt it was necessary to move on from the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2017. Advertisement 'I felt it was time,' Garrett said.' I had taken my time after the season to relax, decompress emotionally. Wanted to distance myself a little bit. And I spent a little time talking to my family about really how we feel about this decision. I had felt this way, I wanted to make sure I was completely detached and they felt the same way I did. I feel like everyone was on the same page. 'It felt like it was time to at least speak on something that was near and dear to my heart. I have a lot of love for Cleveland, but it's always for me been about contending for championships, winning those big games and winning Lombardis. We haven't had the opportunity to do that, and that's all I'm asking for.' The Browns superstar shook up Super Bowl week by announcing his trade request — @Flash_Garrett told us why now? And did he really seek council from another famous Ohioan?#NFL #DawgPound @KingJames #SBLIX — Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 5, 2025 The Browns' edge rusher is undoubtedly one of the best defensive talents currently in the league. In December, Garrett became the fastest player in NFL history to 100 sacks, becoming the first player to hit the milestone before turning 29 years old. Garrett already holds the Browns franchise records for sacks (102.5) and tackles for loss (116), also forcing 20 fumbles during his eight years in Cleveland. Garrett mentioned that he spent time speaking to his parents, sister, his agent and marketing agent, as well as 'an Akron native' that made an equally notable move out of Cleveland — Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. James was drafted by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and infamously announced his departure to the Miami Heat in a live television event known as 'The Decision.' He spent four seasons with the Heat before returning to Cleveland, winning them their first championship in the 2015-2016 season. Advertisement 'What a transition looked like for him,' Garrett said when asked about what he hoped to take away from his conversation with James. 'What was his thought process going into it before he left Cleveland. And just making sure I made a logical decision, taking my time. Trying to take away the pressure of something like that. Cleveland — really that area, northeast Ohio — was his home. It feels like my home as well.' Garrett repeated a sentiment that he both shared in his letter and Browns general manager Andrew Berry used multiple times to describe the four-time All-Pro's current trajectory: 'Cleveland to Canton.' After saying he was unwilling to listen to trade offers for Garrett last Tuesday, Berry added that the franchise 'envision[s] him going from Cleveland to Canton when his career is over.' Garrett responded to that line in his letter: 'The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.' 'It's never been about the Hall of Fame for me,' Garrett said Wednesday, doubling down on the statement while speaking with Eisen. 'It's not about money or records. You're remembered for winning. Bringing a trophy back home to your city — whichever city that is — that's how you're remembered in your community, by your peers, your teammates, by friends, all that. We want to play the game, but we want to do things to be remembered.' While Garrett was steadfast in his preference to leave, he did recognize how hard it was to potentially say goodbye to the Browns fan base. Garrett, who saw his rookie season end in an 0-16 record and started in Cleveland's first playoff win since 1994, referred to Cleveland as a second home multiple times throughout the interview. 'It's not a decision I take lightly,' Garrett said. 'It took time and lots of conversation. But just looking at the trajectory of the team, talking to some of the higher-ups — I have a lot of respect for them, but I just don't think we're aligned on where the team is going in the near future. I feel like the window for us as athletes is only so broad, and it only continues to close as years go by with anything being able to happen on that field from day to day. I want to be able to go out there and compete at the highest levels day in and day out, playing for champions.' Advertisement Garrett spoke further about his talks with the Browns front office, going beyond the end-of-season exit meetings to further discuss the team 'a few other times.' 'This wasn't something that I blind-sided them with, with my opinion,' Garrett said. 'I took my time before, stating it outright to them. Then I released a statement. I wanted to be able to do right by them because they've taken care of me for a long time. Cleveland has been my second home. This community is one that I love, but this opinion is just how I feel now.' Of the next steps, Garrett said 'I just want to go to a contender.' He added that he knows he doesn't have much say in the destination but hopes to work with Cleveland in finding 'a middle ground' in negotiations while still leaving on good terms. Garrett wouldn't give much detail on any particular destinations, but he stressed the desire to win a title. Garrett also addressed the possibility that Cleveland would refuse to trade him, but added it was 'a little further down the line than I'm willing to look.' Garrett's strongest statement was that he's not 'aligned' with the Browns' key decision-makers 'on where the team is going in the near future.' In December, Garrett had said repeatedly that he needed to talk with key team officials about the Browns' plans for becoming an AFC contender. Garrett is now saying he that he got his answer and felt his best plan was to ask for a trade. Garrett said the timing of the trade request came this week because he wanted to 'decompress' from the season and talk with family members, and he said his inner circle echoed his belief that he was right to ask for a trade. The Browns don't want to trade and have taken the stance that they won't, so a prolonged staredown could be coming. The Browns actually should view time as being on their side here. There's still more than a month before the start of the new league year, so no team has fully committed to 2025 plans. There's plenty of time for the Browns to try to convince Garrett to change his mind, too, though at this point that appears unlikely. Garrett's stance is that he's less interested in getting a new mega-contract from the Browns than he is on playing on a championship contender. The Browns should hold a silent auction for Garrett's services then continue to ask for more from interested parties in the coming weeks and months. The Browns don't necessarily have to trade Garrett before April's draft and continue — for now, anyway — to dig in on their stance of not trading him at all considering he's under contract for two more seasons. The Browns already have salary-cap issues and would have to account for about $36 million in dead money if they did trade Garrett, which likely only ups an already-high asking price. But Garrett chose this week to take his request public strategically and is using his Radio Row time to let teams know he's ready for a new start. The Browns will field lots of calls, and we're all waiting to see which calls might get the Browns' interested in working on a trade. — Zac Jackson, Browns beat writer
