Latest news with #center
Fox News
5 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Musk's question about creating new political party piques Stephen A Smith's interest amid CEO's Trump feud
President Donald Trump and billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's feud exploded on social media, and one potential 2028 presidential contender added his two cents into the mix. ESPN star Stephen A. Smith fired off a post on X in the midst of the president and Musk's extremely public break-up in front of millions of social media users. Musk asked his X user base whether it was time to "create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle." The "First Take" pundit fired off another take, expressing interest in what Musk asked. "Mr. @elonmusk I'm all for moving America to the CENTER. I'm definitely down for that cause! Sign me up!!!" he wrote. Smith has expressed his dissatisfaction with both sides of the political aisle, criticizing how Democrats handled governing the country over the last four years, particularly with open borders, high spending, identity politics and cancel culture. He's also had his criticisms of Trump, pointing to the administration's dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. He's also maintained that he may have "no choice" but to consider a presidential run. As Smith has toyed with a presidential run, Trump and Musk have gone toe-to-toe after months of cozying up with one another. The main issue appeared to be opposite ideas about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was drafted and for which Trump has expressed support. Musk then made a jab over Trump's former relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The White House said earlier on Thursday that a source familiar with the Epstein matter said it is widely known that Trump kicked Epstein out of his Palm Beach Golf Club. The source also pointed out that the administration released the Epstein files, which included Trump's name, and nothing was new about Musk's revelation. Shortly after Musk posted about Trump being in the Epstein file, Trump posted his response to Truth Social. "I don't mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress," Trump said, turning his attention to the "big, beautiful bill" that is before the Senate. "It's a Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given. If this Bill doesn't pass, there will be a 68% Tax Increase, and things far worse than that." "I didn't create this mess, I'm just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" the president added. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider: Two centers have been linked to the Lakers
Not too long from now, teams across the NBA will start looking in earnest to make moves in order to improve their rosters ahead of next season. For the Los Angeles Lakers, that will mean going after a legitimate starting-level center. After landing Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis and Max Christie in early February, they had to make do with Jaxson Hayes, who lacks the size and strength to be a force defensively and on the boards, and Alex Len, who is a zero-impact player at this point of his career, at the 5. That very weak center rotation was likely the biggest reason they got waxed in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. Advertisement With executives from across the league meeting this week at the NBA draft combine in Chicago, the two centers on the market most connected to Los Angeles are the Brooklyn Nets' Nic Claxton and the Dallas Mavericks' Daniel Gafford, per Dan Woike. Woike also reported on what it would take for L.A. to trade guard Austin Reaves, who took yet another step forward in his production this season. Via Los Angeles Times: "People, including the Lakers' scouts and executives here in Chicago, have openly spoke about the team's needs at the center position — an obvious priority for Pelinka and Redick," Woike wrote. "The team has shown no interest in using Reaves in a trade that nets them anything less than a top-tier big, and there really aren't any of those available, with the two most common names linked to them in the earliest stages of the offseason — Brooklyn's Nic Claxton and Dallas' Daniel Gafford." Woike also gave a reality check on the obstacles in the way of the Lakers acquiring either Claxton or Gafford. "In Claxton, the Lakers would have the prototypical rim-protecting, lob-catching center that's tailor-made for Doncic. Claxton's due more than $66 million over the next three seasons and is two years removed from his most impactful stretch as a pro when he averaged 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks on a league-best 70.5% shooting from the field. This season in 70 games, those numbers dipped to 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks with 56.3% shooting. "An optimistic read on the situation would point to the Nets' losing as a reason for his dip in production. A pessimist would point to his narrow frame (just 215 pounds), the two straight years in which his numbers have slumped and the high salary. "Gafford, we know, is a surefire Doncic fit because of their time together in Dallas. He's about to enter the final year of his deal and plays on a roster with Dereck Lively and Anthony Davis, making it unlikely that there's more cash headed his way from the Mavericks. "The trouble, of course, is that people around the NBA wonder how it would look if Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison engaged Pelinka and the Lakers on another trade after the last deal between the teams was so unpopular that it caused protests." Other than Reaves, the Lakers will have rookie sharpshooter Dalton Knecht, the expiring contracts of forwards Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber and guard Gabe Vincent and their 2031 first-round draft pick to offer in any trade. Advertisement In addition to a starting-level center, they also need improved backcourt depth and possibly another 3-and-D wing in order to truly have a good chance of winning next season's NBA championship. Their lack of bench scoring was another big problem they had in their playoff series versus the Timberwolves. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider: Two centers have been linked to the Lakers
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement 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. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: McMenamin: Lakers showed interest in trading for Hawks center
