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The Lakers could possibly trade for Trae Young this offseason

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4 months ago

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The Lakers went all-in at the NBA trade deadline and acquired some new talent to upgrade the roster. One of those “upgrades” was all-star PG D’Angelo Russell. He played well in 17 regular season appearances with the Lakers but wasn’t the same player in the postseason. That is why NBA sources say the Lakers are considering making a play to acquire all-star PG Trae Young this offseason. 

Not even 24 hours after their season has ended and we already have trade rumors surrounding the Lakers. LeBron James and the Lakers looked strong in their first two series this postseason. However, they found their match in the Conference Finals vs the Nuggets, getting swept 4-0.

With certain players on the roster not showing up in the postseason, the Lakers are already having “internal discussions” about a Trae Young trade.

Is Trae Young the right fit for the Lakers’ future?

Jovan Buha of The Atheltic was the first to have the scoop about the Lakers’ trade discussions. He said their front office has had “internal discussions” about a “hypothetical trade offer” for Young. They want to explore the market first and see what his asking price might be this offseason.

Young is a two-time all-star and has one All-NBA selection. The 24-year-old just finished his fifth season in the NBA and he will be 25 by the start of the 2023-24 season. In 353 career regular season games for Atlanta, Young averages 25/9/3. His career three-point average is (.351).

The Lakers traded for D’Angelo Russell this past season and expected him to be a big part of their future. After a rough Western Conference Finals vs the Nuggets, his future with the team might be uncertain. He averaged just 10 points per game in the Lakers’ final four postseason games. Russell had started the previous 16 games for the Lakers this postseason but came off the bench last night and scored three points.





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Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards receives wall mural in Atlanta

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1 day ago

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September 24, 2023

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Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards received a special mural on Saturday in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. The artwork was also made to honor his family. Edwards, 22, is switching from No. 1 to No. 5 next season to honor his late mother, Yvette, and grandmother, Shirley.

Edwards lost his mom and grandma to cancer during an eight-month span in 2015, when he was just 14 years old. Both died on the fifth of the month. “A1 From Day 1 was given to me,” Edwards told The Athletic’s Shams Charania in August. “That wasn’t something I created. … I’ve always been No. 5.”

Furthermore, Edwards was raised by his sister, Antoinette, and brother, Antoine, who shared legal custody over him. The Timberwolves guard spent his early life in Atlanta. As a consensus five-star recruit, he attended Daniel McLaughlin Therrell High School and then transferred to Holy Spirit Preparatory School in January 2017.

Of course, Edwards wore No. 5 in high school and at the University of Georgia prior to the NBA. His birthday is Aug. 5 as well. Above all else, this date is now officially known as “Anthony Edwards Day” in his hometown.

Justin Holland, his trainer and former college basketball player for Liberty University, reaffirmed Ant’s comments. “He’s playing for his family,” Holland said. “It’s a family number.”

Moreover, Timberwolves president and general manager Tim Connelly praised Edwards.

“He’s just a great guy. … He loves the city, he loves the organization,” Connelly said. “He and [coach Chris Finch] have a special bond. He’s a positive teammate, which in this day and age is not always the rule.

“Sometimes it’s the exception. He’s an uplifter of this entire team, and we couldn’t be more lucky to have him. And I think he’s going to he’s primed to have a monster year.”

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards honored with mural in hometown of Atlanta on Saturday, unveiled new Adidas AE1 sneakers

In other news, Edwards also unveiled his new Adidas AE1 sneakers, his first signature shoes, in Atlanta. His signature sneakers are expected to release this December for $120. Equally important, the shoes feature a split tongue design and a boost cushioning system to improve comfort for hoopers.

The former Bulldog received his first All-Star selection in the 2022-23 NBA season. In 79 starts, the guard averaged career highs of 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 36 minutes per game. Also, he shot career bests of 45.9% from the floor and 36.9% beyond the arc.

In the Timberwolves’ 113-104 win over the Houston Rockets on Jan. 21, the Georgia native scored a season-high 44 points in 41 minutes as a starter. Along with notching six boards, four assists, three steals, and three blocks, Edwards shot 17-of-29 (58.6%) from the field and 8-of-16 (50%) from 3-point range.

Additionally, Edwards finished sixth in points (1,946) this past season, third in steals (125), fourth in field goals (707), second in minutes played (2,842), 12th in defensive win shares (3.6), and second in turnovers (259). However, he led the league in missed field goals (834).

During Game 2 of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 122-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Edwards recorded a playoff career-high 41 points. As a matter of fact, his 41 points set a Timberwolves franchise record for the most points scored in a postseason game, surpassing Sam Cassell’s record of 40.

In July, Edwards and the Timberwolves agreed to a five-year, $205.9 million designated rookie max extension that could be worth as much as $260 million. Though, incentives must be met. His current contract ends after 2023-24. Not to mention, his $13.53 million team option for 2023-24 was exercised last October.

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Celtics sign forward Lamar Stevens to a partially guaranteed deal

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2 days ago

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September 23, 2023

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The Boston Celtics have signed forward Lamar Stevens to a partially guaranteed deal, per sources. Stevens, 26, is expected to compete for a roster spot during training camp.

The 6-foot-6 forward went undrafted out of Penn State in 2020. Stevens spent his first three NBA seasons (2020-23) with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a two-way contract and a regular deal.

Per multiple NBA betting sites, the Boston Celtics are tied with the Denver Nuggets as favorites to win next season’s championship in 2024. Sportsbooks are still showing great odds for the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.

The Pennsylvania native made 13 starts in 63 appearances with the Cavaliers in the 2021-22 season. During his sophomore season, Lamar Stevens averaged a career-high 6.1 points, along with 2.6 rebounds, and 16.1 minutes per game.

In addition to shooting a career-best 48.9% from the floor in 2021-22, the forward scored a career-high 23 points in Cleveland’s 111-91 win over the Utah Jazz on Jan. 12, 2022. He finished 10-of-15 (66.7%) shooting from the field.

Boston Celtics sign former Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lamar Stevens to a partially guaranteed deal; Stevens was waived after being traded to the San Antonio Spurs

The undrafted forward then made 25 starts in 62 appearances with Cleveland in the 2022-23 season. He averaged 5.3 points and career highs of 3.3 rebounds and 18.1 minutes per game.

Stevens also shot 44.8% from the floor, a career-best 31.6% beyond the arc, and 70.2% at the foul line. In the Cavaliers’ 105-90 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 14, 2022, the wing recorded season highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes as a starter.

As part of a three-team trade this past July, the Cavaliers traded Stevens, Cedi Osman, and a 2030 second-round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs and sent their 2026 second-rounder to the Heat.

In exchange, Cleveland received Max Strus from the Heat. The Spurs waived Stevens on July 17. Stevens would have entered the final season of the four-year, $5.88 million contract he signed with the Cavs in April 2021.

At the moment, the Boston Celtics have 11 players signed to fully guaranteed contracts. Svi Myhailiuk, Dalano Banton, and Luke Kornet inked non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed minimum-salary deals.

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Pelicans sign forward Kaiser Gates to a two-way contract

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2 days ago

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September 23, 2023

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The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free agent forward Kaiser Gates to a two-way contract, according to reports. Gates, 26, went undrafted out of Xavier University in 2018.

In September 2018, the 6-foot-7 wing signed a training camp contract with the Chicago Bulls. However, he was waived a month later without appearing in an NBA game.

With the Windy City Bulls, Chicago’s NBA G League affiliate, Gates averaged 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest in 50 appearances. Plus, he shot 41% from the field.

Per a few NBA betting sites, the New Orleans Pelicans hold 15th-ranked odds to win next season’s 2024 championship. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Sacramento Kings.

As a matter of fact, the Georgia native finished fourth in the G League in 3-pointers (137), fifth in 3-point attempts (365), and eighth in defensive rebounds (270). Gates then signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics on Sept. 30, 2019.

Nonetheless, he was waived a month later in October without making his first NBA appearance.

In the 2019 G League Draft, Gates’ returning rights were traded to the Maine Red Claws (now Celtics) for the No. 4 overall pick. In 36 starts with the Red Claws in the 2019-20 season, Gates averaged 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

New Orleans Pelicans sign forward Kaiser Gates to a two-way contract; the Xavier product is set to join two-way guard Dereon Seabron

Additionally, in 12 games played with the Long Island Nets during the 2020-21 season, the forward averaged 9.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest.

On Dec. 17, 2020, he was waived a day after signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Brooklyn Nets.

Moreover, Gates signed with Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. of the Israeli Basketball Premier League for the 2021-22 season.

Last November, the forward was named to the opening night roster for the Long Island Nets. The Xavier product made 13 starts in 24 appearances, averaging a career-high 14 points per game.

Along with logging 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 23.4 minutes per contest, he shot career bests of 53.4% from the floor and 55.4% beyond the arc. Not to mention, he averaged 70.4% shooting at the foul line.

Furthermore, Kaiser Gates is now set to join guard Dereon Seabron as the Pelicans two-way players. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, each NBA team can sign a maximum of three two-way players.

An Exhibit 10 contract can be converted into a two-way deal before the regular season begins.

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