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.

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.

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.

Nurkic had 12 rebounds in the first quarter alone, accounting for all but one rebound of the entire Suns team for that period. He ended up with 13 offensive rebounds and 18 defensive rebounds on the night while adding 14 points and four assists.

Nurkic’s 31 rebounds were the most by any player in the NBA since Kevin Love had 31 boards in 2010-11. He surpassed the Suns’ previous record posted by Tyson Chandler, who had a 27-rebound performance during the 2015-16 NBA season. The Bosnian center also improved on his previous career high of 23 boards in a single game.

“Incredible,” said Suns’ head coach Frank Vogel after the game. “The loss aside, you just look at a 31-rebound night, at any point in the NBA history, [it] is just an incredible performance. The best in Phoenix Suns history. He is a beast on the defensive end of the court.”

Since being acquired in an offseason trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic emerged as a key player for the Suns. He has brought physical presence to a star-studded roster while displaying impressive passing for a big man. Nurkic is currently averaging 11.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on the season.

The post Jusuf Nurkic Sets Suns’ Franchise Record With 31 Rebounds in Loss to OKC 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.

Young hurt his hand during the 123-121 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday. An MRI test showed that Young suffered a “tear of the radial collateral ligament (RCL) in the fifth finger of his left hand.” He will have surgery this week and be re-evaluated after four weeks, meaning his absence could be even longer than that.

Young has been enjoying a strong campaign in 2023-24, averaging 26.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game. He received his third All-Star nod this season, being selected to the 2024 All-Star game by Commissioner Adam Silver as an injury replacement.

With Young out for such an extended period of time, the Hawks find themselves in big trouble. After a poor start to the season, the team looked like it was poised for a strong finish and a place in the Play-In tournament.  But that now seems it could be a bigger challenge than expected.

The Hawks are currently sitting at No. 10 in the Eastern Conference with a 25-32 record. They are 3.5 games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets, the first team currently out of the Play-In picture.

The post Hawks All-Star PG Trae Young Requires Hand Surgery, Will Miss at Least 4 Weeks appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Randle dislocated his shoulder back in late January in a 125-109 win over the Miami Heat. Speaking publicly for the first time since then, Randle told reporters on Wednesday that he’s making progress in recovery but still doesn’t know whether he’ll manage to avoid surgery. 

“There’s still necessary steps. It’s a process to everything. I have to weigh out everything, ultimately, and decide from there,” Randle said via ESPN. “But right now, I’m just focused on trying to avoid [surgery], obviously, and get back on the court as soon as I can.”

Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau later added that Randle is “working out twice a day” but is yet to resume basketball activities.

Randle has been having a great season before going down. He averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while receiving his third All-Star nod.

Knicks have struggled in Randle’s absence, entering the All-Star break with four consecutive losses. They are still fourth in the East with a 33-22 record but have the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers breathing down their neck.

The post Knicks Star Julius Randle Isn’t Ruling Out a Season-Ending Surgery on His Dislocated Shoulder 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.

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.

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.

Nurkic had 12 rebounds in the first quarter alone, accounting for all but one rebound of the entire Suns team for that period. He ended up with 13 offensive rebounds and 18 defensive rebounds on the night while adding 14 points and four assists.

Nurkic’s 31 rebounds were the most by any player in the NBA since Kevin Love had 31 boards in 2010-11. He surpassed the Suns’ previous record posted by Tyson Chandler, who had a 27-rebound performance during the 2015-16 NBA season. The Bosnian center also improved on his previous career high of 23 boards in a single game.

“Incredible,” said Suns’ head coach Frank Vogel after the game. “The loss aside, you just look at a 31-rebound night, at any point in the NBA history, [it] is just an incredible performance. The best in Phoenix Suns history. He is a beast on the defensive end of the court.”

Since being acquired in an offseason trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic emerged as a key player for the Suns. He has brought physical presence to a star-studded roster while displaying impressive passing for a big man. Nurkic is currently averaging 11.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on the season.

The post Jusuf Nurkic Sets Suns’ Franchise Record With 31 Rebounds in Loss to OKC 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.

Young hurt his hand during the 123-121 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday. An MRI test showed that Young suffered a “tear of the radial collateral ligament (RCL) in the fifth finger of his left hand.” He will have surgery this week and be re-evaluated after four weeks, meaning his absence could be even longer than that.

Young has been enjoying a strong campaign in 2023-24, averaging 26.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game. He received his third All-Star nod this season, being selected to the 2024 All-Star game by Commissioner Adam Silver as an injury replacement.

With Young out for such an extended period of time, the Hawks find themselves in big trouble. After a poor start to the season, the team looked like it was poised for a strong finish and a place in the Play-In tournament.  But that now seems it could be a bigger challenge than expected.

The Hawks are currently sitting at No. 10 in the Eastern Conference with a 25-32 record. They are 3.5 games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets, the first team currently out of the Play-In picture.

The post Hawks All-Star PG Trae Young Requires Hand Surgery, Will Miss at Least 4 Weeks appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Randle dislocated his shoulder back in late January in a 125-109 win over the Miami Heat. Speaking publicly for the first time since then, Randle told reporters on Wednesday that he’s making progress in recovery but still doesn’t know whether he’ll manage to avoid surgery. 

“There’s still necessary steps. It’s a process to everything. I have to weigh out everything, ultimately, and decide from there,” Randle said via ESPN. “But right now, I’m just focused on trying to avoid [surgery], obviously, and get back on the court as soon as I can.”

Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau later added that Randle is “working out twice a day” but is yet to resume basketball activities.

Randle has been having a great season before going down. He averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while receiving his third All-Star nod.

Knicks have struggled in Randle’s absence, entering the All-Star break with four consecutive losses. They are still fourth in the East with a 33-22 record but have the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers breathing down their neck.

The post Knicks Star Julius Randle Isn’t Ruling Out a Season-Ending Surgery on His Dislocated Shoulder appeared first on yoursportspot.com.