Latest news with #tradedealine
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA rumors: Sky sharpshooter named ideal trade target for Storm, Dream, Mercury
The post WNBA rumors: Sky sharpshooter named ideal trade target for Storm, Dream, Mercury appeared first on ClutchPoints. As the WNBA trade deadline hits the final stretch, some teams are still scrambling to make their last-minute moves and lock in the lineup they're going to be rolling with for the rest of the 2025 season. Some franchises are just focusing on selling as they look forward to rebuilding for 2026, while others are looking for the perfect piece to complete their title-run aspirations for this year. With injuries and roster chemistry issues creating challenges, the Chicago Sky may be in the best position to get value out of moving a player on their squad. The Sky's perimeter shooting guard Rachel Banham seems to be the most valuable asset the team has to deal away, according to Bleacher Report. Banham is portrayed as a good fit for multiple clubs, including the Seattle Storm, Atlanta Dream, and Phoenix Mercury. Banham's skill set would create spacing in a Storm offense that can stagnate in half-court and clutch moments, giving way for stars like Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, and Gabby Williams to get more open shots or drive to the basket. Even with the trade deal to bring in Brittney Sykes from the Washington Mystics, Seattle would still need the depth Banham brings to balance out the team's inconsistencies. Her career 37% 3-point shooting ability would also transform the look of the Mercury immediately, who only rely on Kahleah Copper and Monique Akoa Makani for shots from beyond the arc. Phoenix's roster has been top-heavy all year, and Banham would add consistency to its bench. Banham would also fit right in with the Dream, who have gone with a 'threes first' approach under new head coach Karl Smesko and are shooting from beyond the arc at one of the highest rates in the WNBA with over 28 3-pointers taken per game. Placing her alongside the likes of Allisha Gray, who's shooting a career-high 40.8% from three, would boost Atlanta's efficiency and only make it harder for other teams to catch up in the playoff race. The WNBA's parity this season has added some extra intrigue to the 2025 trade deadline. Front offices are either trying to make changes to their rosters without disrupting any existing chemistry, or they're plotting ahead to see which potential moves will benefit them in the long run. With the pressure building, what the Sky are considering will soon become clear. Related: WNBA rumors: Max salaries could quadruple in next CBA Related: WNBA rumors: Crypto group claims it's behind sex toy chaos
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Thunder Could Shop Pair of Major Players Before Next Season's NBA Trade Deadline
Due to the massive investment the Oklahoma City Thunder made in three key members of their core this summer, a notable NBA expert suggests they might shop a pair of key players from their title team before next season's NBA trade deadline. The Thunder are still in honeymoon mode after the team brought the city its first NBA Championship in June. In an attempt to go on multiple title runs in the next few years, the organization spent record sums to lock up its young core. This summer, OKC gave Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a new four-year, $272 million extension. Locked Jalen Williams into a new five-year, $239 million pact. And surprisingly gave big man Chet Holmgren the same deal they gave Williams. While it keeps linchpins of the roster on the team through the decade, there is a payroll reckoning on the horizon. On Friday, The Athletic NBA expert Zach Harper took a look at next year's free agent market. Two players who have team options after next season are stud defenders Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort. They will combine for $46 million next season and again in 2026 ($28.5 million for Hartenstein and $18.2 million for Dort annually). While that number was fine a year ago, the team's payroll will balloon from $193 million next season to $277 million in 2026-27. Due to the recent extensions. Could the Thunder maintain the status quo and hold on to everyone the next two years? Yes, and Harper believes that is a real possibility. But he also brought up another important point. 'This gets interesting because the world champion Thunder have to figure out some cap stuff as these extensions kick in for Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2026 and beyond. I would expect OKC is more likely to trade those guys for assets,' Harper wrote. The Thunder have never been a big spending franchise. And the fact that they gave out three huge extensions in one summer is a major show of how willing they are to expand payroll. However, going up to $277 million before tax penalties seems far out of the norm for the team. It is why it makes sense that the organization could seriously consider moving them before February's trade deadline, or next summer. Also Read:: Updated 2025 NBA Power Rankings: Who Is Winning The Offseason Heading Into August? Related Headlines Patriots 4th-Round Rookie failing to impress ahead of preseason opener Patriots 2025 free agent signing is an unexpected cut candidate heading into preseason opener Cowboys Expert Wouldn't Be Surprised if Jerry Jones Took Micah Parsons Offer 'Off the Table' 4 players to keep a close eye on in Patriots preseason opener vs. Commanders
Washington Post
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Tigers bolster bullpen and perhaps pitching chaos with righties Finnegan, Morton, Sewald and Heuer
DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers seem to be setting themselves up to potentially go back to what manager A.J. Hinch calls pitching chaos . Detroit bolstered its bullpen, and options in games without a traditional starting pitcher, with a series of moves to add a trio of right-handers in the hours before the trade deadline on Thursday. Then they added a starting veteran starter, too.
