Latest news with #post-All-Star
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
NBA Trade Rumors: Josh Giddey's $120M Payday - The Chicago Bulls' High-Stakes Bet on Their Aussie Superstar
Josh Giddey (Image via Getty) The Chicago Bulls' bold gamble on Josh Giddey has paid off in a major way—and now, the franchise faces a pivotal decision. After a breakout 2024-25 season, the 22-year-old Australian phenom is poised to secure a mammoth contract extension, with NBA insiders projecting a deal worth at least $120 million. Josh Giddey's arrival via trade initially flew under the radar, but his rapid ascent into stardom has made him indispensable in Chicago. What began as a season of adjustment transformed into a showcase of his elite playmaking, rebounding, and scoring prowess—especially after the Chicago Bulls moved on from Zach LaVine. With Giddey's restricted free agency looming, the front office must now weigh a franchise-altering investment in a player who has proven he can carry the team's future. From his near-triple-double surges to his vocal leadership, Josh Giddey has cemented himself as the Chicago Bulls' cornerstone. The question isn't whether they should pay him—it's whether they can afford not to. Josh Giddey's Breakout Season With the Chicago Bulls After arriving via trade, Josh Giddey quickly became a cornerstone for the Chicago Bulls . His stat line for the season—14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game—underscored his versatility. But his post-All-Star break performance was even more impressive: - 21.2 points per game - 10.7 rebounds per game - 9.3 assists per game Josh Giddey. Image via: Michael Reaves/ Getty Images The turning point? The Zach LaVine trade. Giddey acknowledged the shift, telling Fox Sports Australia : "The first half of the year it's a new situation, so naturally there's going to be an inclination to come in here and try to fit in. That was my initial mindset... But I think it took me a little while to find my feet, and obviously, trade deadline happened when Zach got moved... It kind of opened up avenues for other guys to step into. I saw that as an opportunity to take on a bigger responsibility." (H/t: ClutchPoints ) The $120 Million Question Giddey enters restricted free agency this summer, giving the Bulls the right to match any offer. Fischer reports the 22-year-old is seeking a five-year deal worth no less than $120 million—roughly $30 million annually. Here's how his current and projected earnings stack up: Earnings Period Salary 2024-25 Season $8.4 million Projected New Deal ~$30 million/year Fischer's analysis aligns with Giddey's rising value: "Sources say Philadelphia has ongoing confidence in its ability to re-sign Grimes, but let's see. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Ditto for the Chicago Bulls and Giddey coming to terms on the five-year pact that the Aussie playmaker is said to be seeking which is routinely projected to land at no less than $120 million." Why the Chicago Bulls Must Keep Josh Giddey With LaVine gone, Josh Giddey's role as a primary playmaker and scorer is undeniable. Key reasons Chicago should lock him up: 1. Post-Deadline Dominance: Nearly averaged a triple-double after LaVine's departure. 2. Youth and Upside: At 22, he's entering his prime. 3. Roster Stability: The Bulls lack young stars, making Giddey a core piece. The front office faces pressure to secure Giddey long-term while navigating other offseason moves, including the NBA Draft. But one thing is clear: letting him walk isn't an option. Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors might be in contention to bag $228,200,420 Milwaukee Bucks superstar to form Big 3 with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler As Fischer's reporting suggests, the Bulls are likely preparing a hefty offer to ensure their rising star stays put. For a team in need of direction, Giddey represents both the present and the future. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lu Dort reacts to finishing in 4th place for Defensive Player of the Year
Lu Dort reacts to finishing in 4th place for Defensive Player of the Year Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder's hard push to jettison him into the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, Lu Dort finished just shy of being named one of the three finalists. Several teammates were outraged at worst and puzzled at best by his exclusion. Turns out, Dort finished just shy of being among the top three. Evan Mobley comfortably won the award with 285 voting points. Dyson Daniels was second at 197 voting points. Draymond Green finished in third place with 154 voting points despite going on a podcast tour to campaign for himself. The next in line was Dort. He had 109 voting points. While he didn't win the prestigious award despite being one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders over the last five years, he'll surely make his first career All-Defensive Team. After all, he is the face of the greatest defenses ever. After the Thunder completed a historic 29-point comeback win in Game 3 en route to a Round 1 sweep, Dort discussed the final voting results. The Defensive Player of the Year award was one of the more open races this season. Victor Wembanyama became disqualified when he missed the post-All-Star break schedule due to blood clots. "Congrats to Mobley. He's a helluva defender. He's been a really good defender for his team," Dort said. 'Obviously, for the past few years, I haven't gotten any recognition. Going from nothing to fourth, I guess I'm heading the right way.' The Thunder tried their best to get Dort in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. Instead, they'll settle for being named one of the 10 best defenders. Maybe next year can finally be the year he wins it to cap off one of the greatest undrafted rookie journeys the NBA has ever seen.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA insider reveals Jimmy Butler's diagnosis after MRI amid hopes for Game 3 return
Jimmy Butler. mage via: Ezra Shaw/ Getty Images Jimmy Butler's MRI result has been shared by NBA insider Shams Charania. The Golden State Warriors are facing a huge crisis in their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. After splitting the first two games, the Warriors find themselves in a deeper bind than the 1-1 series tie suggests. That's because Jimmy Butler , a midseason acquisition who revitalized the team's playoff hopes, may not be available for Game 3 in San Francisco. Jimmy Butler's diagnosis was revealed after an MRI Jimmy Butler exited Game 2 in the first quarter after suffering a pelvic injury during a chaotic rebound scramble. As Rockets' guard Amen Thompson drove to chase his own missed shot, he got tangled with Steven Adams and fell forward, clipping Butler's legs from behind. Though Butler's injury looked concerning in real time, a recent update provided some relief. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Butler has been diagnosed with a deep glute muscle contusion. It is a painful injury, but one without long-term structural damage. Butler's official status is day-to-day, and his Game 3 appearance remains uncertain. 'Golden State's Jimmy Butler has been diagnosed with a deep glute muscle contusion and his status for Game 3 against the Houston Rockets is in serious jeopardy, league sources tell ESPN. This is best case because MRI showed Butler avoided any fracture or structural damage,' Charania wrote on X. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like '"100"'억 기부한 남자, 그의 충격적 정체는? 한국재능나눔협회 더 알아보기 Undo The Athletic's Anthony Slater confirmed the news on X, 'Can confirm the Jimmy Butler MRI revealed no structural damage. Deep glute bruise that will be managed on a constant basis in lead up to Saturday night's Game 3. Source described his status as a true questionable depending on response to treatment. ESPN first to report.' The timing couldn't be worse for Golden State. Butler's presence has been very important since joining the team. He helped spark a massive turnaround post-All-Star break, pushing the Warriors from playoff longshots to legitimate postseason contenders. Without him, the Warriors went just 25-27 during the regular season. In Butler's absence during Game 2, Golden State struggled offensively. The Rockets tightened their defense and capitalized on the lack of another playmaker besides Steph Curry. Jalen Green took full advantage, exploding for 38 points to even the series. While Curry shouldered the burden, the lack of support was evident as Kerr experimented with bench rotations that yielded little return. The Warriors could look to Jonathan Kuminga for offensive support in Game 3. The talented forward was benched in Game 1 but is expected to play a larger role if Butler is unavailable. Also Read: 'Playoff Jimmy is real' – NBA legend Dwyane Wade's latest remark on Jimmy Butler proves why Golden State Warriors need him to win championship If Butler plays, he may be limited. But even a less-than-100% Butler could tilt the series in favor of the Warriors. As the Warriors brace for Saturday night, their fate may rest on whether their newest star can battle through the pain or Kerr goes for another star.
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mark Daigneault feels good about Holmgren-Hartenstein lineup ahead of 2025 NBA playoffs
Mark Daigneault feels good about Holmgren-Hartenstein lineup ahead of 2025 NBA playoffs Since Chet Holmgren returned from his hip fracture in February, the Oklahoma City Thunder spent the last two months of the regular season gelling his chemistry with Isaiah Hartenstein despite some rocky moments — relatively speaking, of course. The concept of rocky moments is foreign to the Thunder this season. They had a franchise-best 68-14 record and captured the NBA's record for best point differential in league history. They only had two two-game losing streaks all season long. Having a strong hold of the first seed for most of the season, the Thunder could afford some growing pains between the two seven-footers. The double-big lineup was prominently featured in OKC's starting lineup and turned into a winning machine by the end of the season. In 316 minutes together, Holmgren and Hartenstein had a 12.5 net rating. It's not the biggest simple size among the Thunder's two-player combinations and not the highest net rating, but it shows it can work, especially against larger frontcourts. As the Thunder await their Round 1 opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks could be opportune opponents to utilize the Holmgren-Hartenstein duo. The eighth seed will have Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II or Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey. Either way, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault is confident in Holmgren and Hartenstein. They spent most of the post-All-Star break schedule prioritizing their rapport and didn't need to sacrifice wins to do so. "It's been good on offense. It's been good on defense. It controls the glass on both ends of the floor. Those guys work really well together," Daigneault said. "It's given us a completely different tool to draw on. We won't do it exclusively obviously, but it'll be a part of what we do no matter who we play." Who the Thunder start in Game 1 will be an interesting storyline. There's no question there are matchups and moments where they look better with just Holmgren at center, but there's no doubt the double-big appeal is easy to understand.
Miami Herald
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Lakers may get key pieces back for matchup vs. Bulls
The injury-ridden Los Angeles Lakers will look to get back to their winning ways against the visiting Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. The Lakers have lost five of their last eight games since March 8, when LeBron James suffered a groin injury that has kept him out since. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been dealing with nagging ankle injuries that held the duo out of Thursday's 118-89 home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Los Angeles has also been without starting forward Rui Hachimura for the last 12 games due to left patellar tendinopathy in his knee. The lone bright spot for the Lakers (43-26) on Thursday was the performance of rookie Bronny James. The younger James scored a career-high 17 points off the bench on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, matching Dalton Knecht's team high. Besides Knecht and James, journeyman center Alex Len (10 points) was the only other Laker to reach double figures. Reaves and Doncic are listed as probable for Saturday's game. The elder James' return is imminent, as the 40-year-old has begun ramping up his on-the-court work in recent days. While James' status remains in question, a return Saturday hasn't been ruled out. The same is true for Hachimura. "I think everybody is day-to-day, including LeBron and Rui," Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "We knew post-All-Star break that this first three, four weeks was going to be tough. It's not getting any easier. This has been a very difficult stretch just in terms of the schedule and our guys have competed and played through a lot of stuff. That's just the reality of where we're at today. We've gotta continue to manage this stretch." Chicago (30-40) doesn't have the same championship aspirations as this current iteration of the Lakers, but the Bulls have been the better team across their last eight games. Coach Billy Donovan's group has gone 6-2 in that stretch to fight firmly back into the Eastern Conference play-in picture. The Bulls are coming off a 128-116 win over the host Kings on Thursday, led by 35 points from Coby White on 10-of-18 shooting from the field. Kevin Huerter added 25 points for the Bulls in his first game back in Sacramento after the Kings dealt him to Chicago as part of the three-team deal that sent DeAaron Fox to San Antonio. The matchup also marked Zach LaVine's first game against the Bulls since the deal. "I'm happy for (Huerter)," Donovan said. "He's a very good player. I think emotionally it's always tough, going back to a place. I'm sure it was tough for Zach tonight. Demar (DeRozan) did it coming to Chicago one time. Those guys put their feet into a place and they give you everything they have. When you move to the next place, it's always a little bit emotional. Obviously (Huerter) came up big tonight and made some big threes when they were gaining momentum." White is the leading scorer remaining with Chicago following that trade, which saw the Bulls send LaVine to Sacramento in return for Huerter, Zach Collins, Tre Jones and the 2025 first-round pick that Chicago still owed the Spurs from the DeRozan deal four years prior. White, a sixth-year point guard, is averaging a career-high 19.8 points per game this season. Nikola Vucevic is the team's most valuable player, averaging 18.7 points and a team-high 10.1 rebounds per game. -Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
