Latest news with #freeagents
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers named best fit for veteran receiver with multiple Pro Bowl selections
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been named the best fit for one of the top remaining free agents on the market. Kevin Patra listed the Steelers as the top landing spot for wide receiver Keenan Allen, who spent the 2024 campaign with the Chicago Bears. "If the Steelers want to finally break through their playoff doldrums, why not keep the party going with another veteran searching for a ring? Allen has dealt with injuries and struggled at times last year in Chicago, but he can still generate separation and would provide Aaron Rodgers with another experienced player who understands the nuances of the position," Patra wrote. Allen wasn't as effective as he usually is in 2024, as the veteran tallied 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games with the Bears. Just two years ago, in 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers, Allen posted 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns with a career-high 108 receptions. The Steelers need to add a capable No.2 receiver to pair with DK Metcalf, and though Allen isn't the most dynamic player, the 33-year-old could provide adequate production as a secondary pass-catcher in Arthur Smith's offense. The six-time Pro Bowler would also be a solid security blanket for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and take a ton of pressure off Metcalf, who is set to carry most of the receiving load this year with George Pickens getting moved to the Dallas Cowboys. During his 12-year tenure with the Chargers, Allen notched six 1,000-yard seasons and five campaigns with over 100 catches. Though he is no longer that level of a player, the California product would bolster Pittsburgh's offense and shouldn't demand a massive contract. Allen has stated that he isn't interested in playing with the Steelers. However, the 2017 AP Comeback Player of the Year also said that playing with Rodgers intrigues him, so there's still a chance he could land in Pittsburgh if all other options are off the table. MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS Aaron Rodgers has 4-word NSFW message for Mike Tomlin haters Will Howard given lowest 'Madden NFL 26' rating among Steelers rookies Steelers' 'pool of candidates' for kick returner includes important offensive players
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barzal & Branding: Why Player Promotion Is Vital for NHL Markets Like Long Island
It's no secret that the New York Islanders have struggled to land top-flight free agents. While success on the ice plays a massive role in accomplishing that, Long Island isn't a place that many players really know much about. When players think of New York, especially if those players are from across the Atlantic Ocean, their first thought is New York City, because that's all they know -- completely understandable. The New York Rangers, as an original six franchise that frequently appears on national television, play a significant role in this, which means the Islanders must work even harder to market their franchise. Once players get to Long Island, whether they knew about it or not, they very rarely leave. Josh Bailey, Cal Clutterbuck, and Thomas Hickey are just a few recent players who, after their playing days came to a close, remain. But, going back to the glory days for the franchise, the likes of John Tonelli, Butch Goring, and Bobby Nystrom still reside on Long Island. So, how do the Islanders do a better job marketing their franchise as a true hot-spot destination? The easy answer is you just give Islanders star forward Mathew Barzal a microphone and ask him what he loves about being on Long Island. On Tuesday, Barzal did his first-ever podcast interview, outside of 32 Thoughts, when he jumped on the ForePlay Pod with his bud, Isanders' super fan Frankie Borrelli. When the conversation about the Islanders' future started, Borrelli paused before thanking Barzal for committing to Long Island, as he's currently about to enter the second season of an eight-year extension worth $9.15 million. Borrelli asked Barzal why he ultiamtely decided that this is where he wanted to be long term. "And another thing too, is like, it's underrated on the island," Barzal said. "Like, people don't, and I think we've said it so much, but it really is. I mean, the other day, we go play on one of the nicest golf courses in the world, and then Chris Stapleton is 10 minutes away, and all the boys stick around. But even aside from that, UBS Arena is incredible. Our practice facility is wicked. It's tight. You're 30 minutes, 40 minutes from the city, the best city in the world." Barzal bragging about Long Island is nothing new. When he signed his contract, he spoke about the fans and the beaches and the city, all that good stuff. But now, with Lou Lamoriello out, having the ability to go on podcasts and promote the Islanders franchise and the way of life here could play a part in landing free agents. As mentioned previously, especially in hockey, the chance to win is the biggest advertisement. And while the Islanders may not be a Stanley Cup contender yet, Barzal's high praise for the prospect pool and his excitement about the team's potential in the next three years is an advertisement that might attract some free agents to consider the Islanders. No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer, by just the way he talks and carries himself, on top of the on-ice talent that he is, should help in marketing the Islanders as a premier destination. Having Mathieu Darche at the helm now, someone who understands the importance of transparency, the importance of marketing, and the importance of fan engagement, is vital in everything we've just discussed. Until the Islanders do land a coveted free agent, talk is cheap. However, unlike years past where the Islanders are salary-cap strapped, Darche's decisions this past offseason actually have the Islanders in a good spot come next summer, especially if he trades a player or two on expiring deals by the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline or makes some cap-clearing moves at the 2026 NHL Draft. Islanders Will Have Money To Spend Next Summer But How Much Is The Question? The New York Islanders' contracts are all but finalized. Under Lamoriello, the Islanders never truly had the money to be competitiors in the free agent market. The Hockey Hall of Fame executive did his damage around the trade deadline, landing the likes of Bo Horvat, Kyle Palmieri, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau over the years. But, especially with salary caps rising and more teams having money, getting pending free agents to agree to premature extensions is only going to get harder. Branding matters and Barzal is doing the best he can to make sure people know that Long Island is a slept-on spot. Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story. PHOTO: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Aces face critical stretch to keep championship window open amid uneven season
HENDERSON, Nev. — From management to coach Becky Hammon to the players, the Las Vegas Aces say they remain a championship team despite what has been, at best, an uneven season. The Aces must keep their championship window open or major changes could come during what is expected to be a chaotic offseason given the number of pending free agents in Las Vegas and throughout the WNBA.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Keenan Allen joining the 49ers makes almost too much sense
With training camp underway, the pool of available free agents has been thoroughly picked through by teams around the NFL. Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen still remains unsigned, and could be a great fit with the San Francisco 49ers in a questionable wide receiver room. At 33 years old, Allen is definitely in the back half of his career, but still has a lot to offer for whatever team offers him a contract. The wideout has been patiently waiting for the right opportunity to arise, weighing all of his options. Of the multiple teams interested in Allen, the 49ers make a ton of sense, for a multitude of reasons. With a mostly unproven and banged-up wide receiver core, general manager John Lynch has to be thinking about bringing in a veteran presence for some stability. Allen showed he's still got plenty of juice left in the tank in 2024, finishing his 12th NFL season with 70 receptions for 744 yards and a team-high seven receiving touchdowns for the Chicago Bears. The veteran utilized his polished route running to continue to generate separation on the outside, something that San Francisco could definitely benefit from having. Spending last season in Chicago was the first time Allen played a season of football outside of the state of California since high school. The former California Golden Bear could look to head back to the West Coast in 2025, this time residing in the Bay Area. Playing time may be easy to come by with the 49ers for Allen, who could replace the production missing from Brandon Aiyuk and potentially Jauan Jennings, if his injuries or contract disputes continue to linger. After locking up Brock Purdy long-term earlier this offseason, having proven pass catchers surrounding him should be a priority. With Allen's impressive resume and experience, he would most likely help the young quarterback and any young pass catchers with their development. San Francisco made a similar addition a few years ago, bringing Emmanuel Sanders in for his age-32 season back in 2019. Lynch could see this situation as a familiar one, hoping that Allen can similarly bring a new skillset to his offense.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Seven best 2025 NBA offseasons with Rockets, Nuggets on top
The NBA offseason isn't entirely over — there are still some solid free agents available, some veteran extensions to sign, and some restricted free agents still hanging out there — but we know the shape of teams at this point. Who had the best NBA offseasons? Let's break it down, with seven teams that stood out to me. Houston Rockets Kevin Durant. Those two words alone made this a winning offseason for Houston. Anyone who watched their first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Warriors saw Houston's problems with half-court shot creation and end-of-clock situations — Durant solves those problems. Even at age 37, the man is still a walking bucket. However, the Rockets did more than just add Durant. The addition of Dorian Finney-Smith — adding more defense plus 3-point shooting to the mix — was one of the best moves of the offseason. Clint Capela gives Houston another solid rotation big man. They locked up Fred VanVleet on a good deal, and also re-signed Steven Adams, Jae'Sean Tate, Jabari Smith Jr., Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green. Houston enters the coming season a clear title contender — that's the sign of a good offseason. Denver Nuggets At the heart of the tension that ultimately led to the dismissal of coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth was the question of how hard to lean into the young players the team had drafted. Malone wanted more veterans, while Booth wanted more time for the players he had drafted. This summer, the new front office in Denver did what Malone had been asking for, adding veterans. Jonas Valanciunas is the best backup center Nikola Jokic has had and will help the second unit not fall off a cliff when the three-time MVP rests. The Nuggets signed Tim Hardaway Jr. and are bringing back Bruce Brown. Most importantly, they sent Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for Cameron Johnson — an upgrade for the Nuggets. Both Johnson and Porter Jr. are a near 40% threat from beyond the arc, but Johnson is a better defender and a more consistent, high-IQ player who will thrive playing next to Jokic (the cost of a 2032 pick is the price they pay to chase titles now, with Jokic at his peak). Denver, like Houston, upgraded and is a full-on contender entering next season, that's a win. Atlanta Hawks Atlanta went all-in on one more (last?) attempt to build around Trae Young — and they did it smartly. This team needed defensive upgrades, such as a high-level rim protector and more wing defense. Enter Kristaps Porzingis at center — who can protect the paint and is a great pick-and-pop partner for young — and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. However, the biggest addition will be the return to health of Jalen Johnson (a step forward by Zaccharie Risacher helps as well). Atlanta has gone from a "will they make it out of the play-in" team to one with a real shot at a top-four spot in the East. That's a strong offseason. Orlando Magic Orlando is already acknowledged as a team on the rise — they were the No. 6 seed in the East last season, despite Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner missing chunks of the season with matching oblique injuries — but they needed more shooting. Check that box. The Magic could not have landed a better fit than Desmond Bane, a career 41% shooter from beyond the arc who also can do some secondary playmaking and is a plus defender. Orlando also added Tyus Jones, a floor general backup point guard who will boost second units. If just-drafted Jase Richardson can shoot well enough, he could get some run as well. The other thing Orlando did: lock up Banchero for four years with a max extension (the fifth is a player option). All of those are good moves. Coming off watching Indiana make a run to the NBA Finals, it's not hard to envision the Magic having a similar run if things break their way. Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles knows who it is, it knows who its stars are, understands its potential limitations, and still this summer leaned hard into that "one more run with the old guys" identity (while setting up the chance to make a pivot and change this team dramatically in 2027). They did it smartly, starting with adding Brook Lopez and John Collins to the frontcourt. Los Angeles scooped up Bradley Beal after Phoenix waived and stretched him, getting the three-time All-Star at a fair price considering his contributions, and filling the hole left by Norman Powell's exit. Chris Paul is returning home for one more season. The Clippers are 11 deep with guys who can and will expect rotation minutes, a balancing act for Tyronn Lue to figure out. This is a 50-win team from last season that has gotten deeper and better. The Clippers are a top-six team in the West with a shot to host a playoff round. That's a good offseason. Oklahoma City Thunder They didn't do anything spectacular, but they didn't have to. OKC locked up its three-man core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren with massive extensions (although getting Holmgren on a straight 25 without escalators is good work). That trio keeps this team in the contender conversation for the length of those deals, (five years). The cast around that core is going to change somewhat as the second tax apron comes calling starting in 2027, but no team has the draft picks and flexibility to survive that as well as OKC. For next season, this team runs back the same roster that just won 68 games and a title — they are the bar to clear for any team talking title. San Antonio Spurs The Spurs are here in part because I like their offseason moves, but also in part because I think we're not talking enough about how big a leap they could make next season. This team gives me Detroit vibes from last year, where Victor Wembanyama comes into his own as a superstar and the talent around him starts to come together. The Spurs had a great draft — the lottery gods blessed them with Dylan Harper, but picking up Carter Bryant at 14 looked like a steal of a pick based on Summer League (his defense was great, the offense is a project). More importantly, they signed Luke Kornet as a backup to Wembanyama, providing them with another quality big, so they don't have to wear Wemby down and can give him some nights off as needed. Also, the Spurs signed Kelly Olynyk as a stretch four/five to help with the frontcourt rotation. With a full season of De'Aaron Fox and Wemby, and Harper finding his groove as a rookie, this is going to be a fun team to watch this season.
