DeRozan, who is set to become a free agent in the summer, was reportedly offered a new two-year, $80 million deal. The $40 million annually would represent a big raise for DeRozan, who earned $27.3 million in 2023-24.

It is unclear whether DeRozan would be interested in re-signing with the Bulls before he has the opportunity to test the free-agent market. Johnson adds that the player would prefer a long-term offer at the moment.

If DeRozan hits the free agency market, he is expected to have more than a few suitors, considering he just finished another productive campaign. He averaged 24.0 points to go with 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.

Retaining DeRozan is a priority for the Bulls this offseason. The veteran has been their best player since signing as a free agent in 2021, and losing him would significantly hurt their chances of being competitive in 2024-25.

Before joining the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan also played with the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs. He is a six-time All-Star and has two All-NBA Second Team selections to his name.

The post Chicago Bulls Have Reportedly Offered 2-Year, $80 Million Contract to DeMar DeRozan appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Clark will join Fever after an outstanding run with Iowa that saw her break a number of records, including becoming college basketball’s all-time leading scorer.

“I got a little anxious there before the pick,” Clark told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the pick was made official. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was in second grade … more than anything, trying to soak it in.”

Caitlin Clark finished the 2023-24 NCAA season, averaging 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. She also led Iowa to the NCAA championship game for the second straight year but once again failed to win the title as the Hawkeyes fell to South Carolina.

Clark is credited for contributing to the popularity of women’s college basketball and was a big reason why the NCAA finals drew 24 million viewers to become the most-watched basketball game in five years. She is expected to have a similar effect in the WNBA, with the league already looking to maximize this by giving Fever 36 national games.

The post Indiana Fever Selects Caitlin Clark No. 1 in 2024 WNBA Draft appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Holiday was in the final year of his contract and had a player option for 2024-25 that was worth $37.3 million. He is currently averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting a career-high 43.1% from behind the arc.

By signing Holiday on a new deal early on, the Celtics got a discount and avoided getting into a bidding war to keep him in the summer. The player, on the other hand, took less money than he would likely command on the open market in exchange for long-term security.

Holiday joined the Celtics in an offseason blockbuster trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he spent just several days after being involved in a trade that sent superstar Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. He has made a big impact in Boston, especially on the defensive end, and is part of the reason why the Celtics have the best record in the NBA this season.

Holiday, who was a first-round pick in 2019, previously also played with the Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans. He has two All-Star nods and five-time NBA All-Defensive selections while winning the NBA title with the Bucks in 2021.

The post Celtics Sign Guard Jrue Holiday to 4-Year, $135 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Official confirmation of Carter and Billups’ induction to the Hall of Fame will come on Saturday during the Final Four of Men’s NCAA tournament.

Vince Carter will enter the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He started his career with the Toronto Raptors, who selected him as the fifth overall pick in 1998, before suiting up for seven more franchises including the New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, and the Atlanta Hawks. On top of his eight All-Star appearances, Carter also won the NBA Rookie of the Year award and was the NBA Slam Dunk Competition winner in 2000.

Chauncey Billups has been eligible for the Hall of Fame nod since 2018 but 2024 was the first time he was a finalist. Billups is best known for his stint with the Detroit Pistons, leading the franchise to an unexpected NBA Championship in 2004. He was a five-time All-Star and received two NBA All-Defensive Second Team during his career.

Since retiring after the 2019-20 NBA season, Carter ventured into broadcasting. He served as an NBA analyst for ESPN until 2023 and currently works in the same role with YES Network.

Billups, who retired in 2014, has been the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers since 2021. 

The post Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups Elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Brunson not only set his career high, but his 61 points were also second-most in a single game in franchise history. He ended up coming just one point shy from tying Carmelo Anthony’s record of 62 points.

In order to get to 61, Brunson took 47 shots. This is the most in the NBA since 2016, when late Kobe Bryant attempted 50 shots in his farewell game.

While Brunson’s offensive masterclass got the Knicks close to an important win, they just couldn’t close it out. This is something that Brunson acknowledged after the game, saying that his performance “doesn’t really matter”.

“It’s great, but … that stuff is washed out the window with a loss,” Brunson said. “So it doesn’t really matter.”

By failing against the Spurs, the Knicks have seen their chances of making a run for the second seed in the East being diminished. They are sitting at No. 4 with a 44-29 record and are two games behind the second-placed Milwaukee Bucks. Also, they are in danger of losing the home-court advantage, being just 1.5 games ahead of fifth-placed Orlando Magic.

The post Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Scores 61 Points in OT Loss to Spurs appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters after a 124-136 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, James said that he will prioritize his long-term health over the Lakers’ seeding.

“I got to be smart with it,” James said via ESPN. “If I’m not healthy, or [anywhere] close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ballclub anyway. It’s not good for me.”

James pointed out the recent game against the Milwaukee Bucks, which he decided to sit out while dealing with an ankle injury. He said that he would have probably played in that game if he hadn’t had a long-term picture in mind.

According to James, he is being “very strategic” when deciding on whether to play or to sit out a certain game.

“Obviously, understanding and seeing how my ankle and my foot is feeling. But just being very smart about it, obviously. We are where we are, but our health has always been the most important for our ballclub,” he added.

The Lakers are currently on a five-game winning streak that alleviated some concerns that they might drop out of the play-in tournament. They are currently sitting at No. 9 in the standings with a 41-32 record, having 2.5 games in hand over the Golden State Warriors and 3.5 games over the Houston Rockets, who are outside looking in. The LA team is also just 2.5 games behind the sixth-seeded Dallas Mavericks, who hold the first automatic playoff spot.

The post LeBron James is Prioritizing Long-Term Health Over Lakers’ Seeding appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Westbrook suffered a hand fracture in a 140-115 win over the Washington Wizards on March 1. He underwent surgery the next day and was initially expected to four weeks. But it appears that the former NBA MVP recovered earlier than expected and could be back on the court as soon as Monday when the Clippers face the Indiana Pacers.

Westbrook has been one of the key bench contributors for the Clippers this season. In 58 games before the injury, he averaged 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while playing just 22.6 minutes per contest.

In 11 games without Westbrook, the Clippers have been playing hot and cold and went 6-5. They were also hit with a number of other injuries, with Norman Powell, another important bench player, currently being out with a lower leg issue.

After flirting with the No. 1 seed in the West earlier this season, the Clippers have now dropped to the fourth place in the standings. They are currently sitting at a 44-25 record with just 1.5 games in front of the fifth-placed New Orleans Pelicans.

The post Clippers’ Point Guard Russell Westbrook Expected to Return to Action Next Week appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Thomas has recently been playing with Salt Lake City in the NBA G League. He appeared in four games, averaging 32.5 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 44.6 from behind the 3-point line.

The 10-day contract with the Suns marks Thomas’ reunion with the franchise. He played 46 games with Phoenix in 2014-15.

Thomas, who is a two-time All-Star, last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season, when he suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 8.4 points and 1.5 assists in 22 games.

The major reason why Thomas was out of the league for so long is the hip injury that he has dealt with since 2017. The injury limited his production while causing him to spend extended periods on the sidelines. However, it appears that the health issues are now a thing of the past for Thomas.

“Whether it was ups or downs, I’m back playing basketball. I’m back healthy. It’s just a super cool feeling because I never thought I would be able to play with no pain no more,” said Thomas in a recent chat with The Athletic.

The post Isaiah Thomas is Returning to the NBA on a 10-Day Contract With the Suns appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Towns will be out for at least a month after the surgery. There is hope that he might return early into the Timberwolves’ postseason campaign.

It is unclear when Towns suffered the injury. He played his most recent game on Monday, scoring 14 points and adding four rebounds in a 119-114 win over the Trail Blazers. Towns was then ruled out of the game against the Indiana Pacers with knee soreness.

Karl-Anthony Towns has been a big part of the Timberwolves’ success this season. Before the injury, he was averaging 22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting a career-high 42.3% from behind the three-point line. Towns also received his fourth All-Star nod. 

The Timberwolves are currently in the midst of a four-way battle for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They have a 44-20 record, sitting second in the standings with only half a game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, Minnesota is also only half a game in front of the third-placed Denver Nuggets and two games in front of the fourth-placed Los Angeles Clippers.

The post Wolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns Has a Torn Meniscus, Will Need Surgery appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Embiid said that he hopes he will be back on the court before the regular season wraps up.

“Obviously everything has to go right, as far as getting healthy and being as close as I’m supposed to be. But yeah, that’s the plan,” Embiid said.

Embiid later added that his decision whether to play or sit out the regular season won’t be affected by the 76ers’ position in the standings.

“Any chances that I get, I wanna be on the floor. So it doesn’t matter where we are [in the standings]. I just want to play as much as I can and try to help us,” he added.

Embiid averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game this season before suffering a knee injury in late January in a game against the Golden State Warriors. He was diagnosed with a lateral meniscus tear and was forced to undergo surgery.

Philly has been in a free fall ever since Embiid got hurt and has lost six out of their last 10 games. They are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 34-25 record, being just one game ahead of the eighth-seeded Indiana Pacers.  

The post 76ers’ Joel Embiid Hopes to Return Before the End of the Regular Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

DeRozan, who is set to become a free agent in the summer, was reportedly offered a new two-year, $80 million deal. The $40 million annually would represent a big raise for DeRozan, who earned $27.3 million in 2023-24.

It is unclear whether DeRozan would be interested in re-signing with the Bulls before he has the opportunity to test the free-agent market. Johnson adds that the player would prefer a long-term offer at the moment.

If DeRozan hits the free agency market, he is expected to have more than a few suitors, considering he just finished another productive campaign. He averaged 24.0 points to go with 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.

Retaining DeRozan is a priority for the Bulls this offseason. The veteran has been their best player since signing as a free agent in 2021, and losing him would significantly hurt their chances of being competitive in 2024-25.

Before joining the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan also played with the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs. He is a six-time All-Star and has two All-NBA Second Team selections to his name.

The post Chicago Bulls Have Reportedly Offered 2-Year, $80 Million Contract to DeMar DeRozan appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Clark will join Fever after an outstanding run with Iowa that saw her break a number of records, including becoming college basketball’s all-time leading scorer.

“I got a little anxious there before the pick,” Clark told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the pick was made official. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was in second grade … more than anything, trying to soak it in.”

Caitlin Clark finished the 2023-24 NCAA season, averaging 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. She also led Iowa to the NCAA championship game for the second straight year but once again failed to win the title as the Hawkeyes fell to South Carolina.

Clark is credited for contributing to the popularity of women’s college basketball and was a big reason why the NCAA finals drew 24 million viewers to become the most-watched basketball game in five years. She is expected to have a similar effect in the WNBA, with the league already looking to maximize this by giving Fever 36 national games.

The post Indiana Fever Selects Caitlin Clark No. 1 in 2024 WNBA Draft appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Holiday was in the final year of his contract and had a player option for 2024-25 that was worth $37.3 million. He is currently averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting a career-high 43.1% from behind the arc.

By signing Holiday on a new deal early on, the Celtics got a discount and avoided getting into a bidding war to keep him in the summer. The player, on the other hand, took less money than he would likely command on the open market in exchange for long-term security.

Holiday joined the Celtics in an offseason blockbuster trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he spent just several days after being involved in a trade that sent superstar Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. He has made a big impact in Boston, especially on the defensive end, and is part of the reason why the Celtics have the best record in the NBA this season.

Holiday, who was a first-round pick in 2019, previously also played with the Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans. He has two All-Star nods and five-time NBA All-Defensive selections while winning the NBA title with the Bucks in 2021.

The post Celtics Sign Guard Jrue Holiday to 4-Year, $135 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Official confirmation of Carter and Billups’ induction to the Hall of Fame will come on Saturday during the Final Four of Men’s NCAA tournament.

Vince Carter will enter the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He started his career with the Toronto Raptors, who selected him as the fifth overall pick in 1998, before suiting up for seven more franchises including the New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, and the Atlanta Hawks. On top of his eight All-Star appearances, Carter also won the NBA Rookie of the Year award and was the NBA Slam Dunk Competition winner in 2000.

Chauncey Billups has been eligible for the Hall of Fame nod since 2018 but 2024 was the first time he was a finalist. Billups is best known for his stint with the Detroit Pistons, leading the franchise to an unexpected NBA Championship in 2004. He was a five-time All-Star and received two NBA All-Defensive Second Team during his career.

Since retiring after the 2019-20 NBA season, Carter ventured into broadcasting. He served as an NBA analyst for ESPN until 2023 and currently works in the same role with YES Network.

Billups, who retired in 2014, has been the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers since 2021. 

The post Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups Elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Brunson not only set his career high, but his 61 points were also second-most in a single game in franchise history. He ended up coming just one point shy from tying Carmelo Anthony’s record of 62 points.

In order to get to 61, Brunson took 47 shots. This is the most in the NBA since 2016, when late Kobe Bryant attempted 50 shots in his farewell game.

While Brunson’s offensive masterclass got the Knicks close to an important win, they just couldn’t close it out. This is something that Brunson acknowledged after the game, saying that his performance “doesn’t really matter”.

“It’s great, but … that stuff is washed out the window with a loss,” Brunson said. “So it doesn’t really matter.”

By failing against the Spurs, the Knicks have seen their chances of making a run for the second seed in the East being diminished. They are sitting at No. 4 with a 44-29 record and are two games behind the second-placed Milwaukee Bucks. Also, they are in danger of losing the home-court advantage, being just 1.5 games ahead of fifth-placed Orlando Magic.

The post Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Scores 61 Points in OT Loss to Spurs appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters after a 124-136 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, James said that he will prioritize his long-term health over the Lakers’ seeding.

“I got to be smart with it,” James said via ESPN. “If I’m not healthy, or [anywhere] close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ballclub anyway. It’s not good for me.”

James pointed out the recent game against the Milwaukee Bucks, which he decided to sit out while dealing with an ankle injury. He said that he would have probably played in that game if he hadn’t had a long-term picture in mind.

According to James, he is being “very strategic” when deciding on whether to play or to sit out a certain game.

“Obviously, understanding and seeing how my ankle and my foot is feeling. But just being very smart about it, obviously. We are where we are, but our health has always been the most important for our ballclub,” he added.

The Lakers are currently on a five-game winning streak that alleviated some concerns that they might drop out of the play-in tournament. They are currently sitting at No. 9 in the standings with a 41-32 record, having 2.5 games in hand over the Golden State Warriors and 3.5 games over the Houston Rockets, who are outside looking in. The LA team is also just 2.5 games behind the sixth-seeded Dallas Mavericks, who hold the first automatic playoff spot.

The post LeBron James is Prioritizing Long-Term Health Over Lakers’ Seeding appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Westbrook suffered a hand fracture in a 140-115 win over the Washington Wizards on March 1. He underwent surgery the next day and was initially expected to four weeks. But it appears that the former NBA MVP recovered earlier than expected and could be back on the court as soon as Monday when the Clippers face the Indiana Pacers.

Westbrook has been one of the key bench contributors for the Clippers this season. In 58 games before the injury, he averaged 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while playing just 22.6 minutes per contest.

In 11 games without Westbrook, the Clippers have been playing hot and cold and went 6-5. They were also hit with a number of other injuries, with Norman Powell, another important bench player, currently being out with a lower leg issue.

After flirting with the No. 1 seed in the West earlier this season, the Clippers have now dropped to the fourth place in the standings. They are currently sitting at a 44-25 record with just 1.5 games in front of the fifth-placed New Orleans Pelicans.

The post Clippers’ Point Guard Russell Westbrook Expected to Return to Action Next Week appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Thomas has recently been playing with Salt Lake City in the NBA G League. He appeared in four games, averaging 32.5 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 44.6 from behind the 3-point line.

The 10-day contract with the Suns marks Thomas’ reunion with the franchise. He played 46 games with Phoenix in 2014-15.

Thomas, who is a two-time All-Star, last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season, when he suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 8.4 points and 1.5 assists in 22 games.

The major reason why Thomas was out of the league for so long is the hip injury that he has dealt with since 2017. The injury limited his production while causing him to spend extended periods on the sidelines. However, it appears that the health issues are now a thing of the past for Thomas.

“Whether it was ups or downs, I’m back playing basketball. I’m back healthy. It’s just a super cool feeling because I never thought I would be able to play with no pain no more,” said Thomas in a recent chat with The Athletic.

The post Isaiah Thomas is Returning to the NBA on a 10-Day Contract With the Suns appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Towns will be out for at least a month after the surgery. There is hope that he might return early into the Timberwolves’ postseason campaign.

It is unclear when Towns suffered the injury. He played his most recent game on Monday, scoring 14 points and adding four rebounds in a 119-114 win over the Trail Blazers. Towns was then ruled out of the game against the Indiana Pacers with knee soreness.

Karl-Anthony Towns has been a big part of the Timberwolves’ success this season. Before the injury, he was averaging 22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting a career-high 42.3% from behind the three-point line. Towns also received his fourth All-Star nod. 

The Timberwolves are currently in the midst of a four-way battle for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They have a 44-20 record, sitting second in the standings with only half a game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, Minnesota is also only half a game in front of the third-placed Denver Nuggets and two games in front of the fourth-placed Los Angeles Clippers.

The post Wolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns Has a Torn Meniscus, Will Need Surgery appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Embiid said that he hopes he will be back on the court before the regular season wraps up.

“Obviously everything has to go right, as far as getting healthy and being as close as I’m supposed to be. But yeah, that’s the plan,” Embiid said.

Embiid later added that his decision whether to play or sit out the regular season won’t be affected by the 76ers’ position in the standings.

“Any chances that I get, I wanna be on the floor. So it doesn’t matter where we are [in the standings]. I just want to play as much as I can and try to help us,” he added.

Embiid averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game this season before suffering a knee injury in late January in a game against the Golden State Warriors. He was diagnosed with a lateral meniscus tear and was forced to undergo surgery.

Philly has been in a free fall ever since Embiid got hurt and has lost six out of their last 10 games. They are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 34-25 record, being just one game ahead of the eighth-seeded Indiana Pacers.  

The post 76ers’ Joel Embiid Hopes to Return Before the End of the Regular Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.