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While the Utah Jazz have made the addition of Austin Ainge as their president of basketball operations to lead the ship of this rebuild in the front office, there's still the voice of the all-time great executive (and Austin's father) in the building in Danny Ainge as the franchise's CEO, helping to guide this team to their championship aspirations down the road.
And while the Jazz may be coming off of their franchise's worst season in terms of record, finishing with 17 total wins on the year, Danny Ainge's confidence hasn't wavered when it comes to what this team could be made of in the near future, and especially within their young core in the building.
Ainge recently shared some thoughts surrounding the Jazz's budding core during an interview with David James and Patrick Kinahan on KSL Sports Zone, saying fans should ultimately be excited when it comes to the young talent brought in through Utah's past two drafts.
“I think the fans should be excited about the guys we have and how they’re developing,” Ainge said. “Whatever pieces that are put together in this offseason with the team, it will be more fun this year. I really believe that. The players are not only getting better and growing, but I think the coaches are getting to understand one another. There’s some continuity with the group. Regardless of what buzz words we want to use, I’m looking forward to the upcoming year.”
“These guys have really bonded and pushed themselves to the limit,” Ainge continued. “I’m excited about what they’re becoming. Most of them are 21 and younger, still 6 years from their prime. We just need to stay with it and keep developing them and see how they all fit together. I’m excited about it.”
The Jazz's past two drafts have been filled with a sold core of six young players: Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, and Kyle Filipowski–– all of which have shown some type of upside in a certain part of their game to add a bit of confidence for what Utah could have in store on the roster for the next few years.
And even if the Jazz's talent selected from the past two drafts isn't enough, they'll have a pair of first and second rounders to utilize during this summer's draft for the potential to add even more young pieces, and perhaps one of this year's top talents with their first top-five pick since 2014.
So, while it may be a long process for the Jazz to grind to the top, the building blocks are slowly coming to form and Utah. Ainge and the rest of this team's front office have remained committed and confident in the roster construction process, and by the end of this offseason, chances are, the outlook will feel even better for what's to come once any and all moving pieces are in place.
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Bucks executive opens up on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors
The Milwaukee Bucks' decision to waive-and-stretch Damian Lillard sparked even more Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors on social media. There were already reports that Antetokounmpo was considering his options and potentially forcing his way out of Milwaukee, and the Lillard move did little to alleviate the situation. Nevertheless, the weeks have gone by, and Antetokounmpo is still a Buck. More importantly, the team believes that's not going to change any time soon. "We have no indication that anything is really changing as far as our relationship with the player we think is the best in the world," a Bucks front office executive told Spotrac's Keith Smith. "We rebuilt on the fly, in a really challenging situation, but we think we did it as well as it could be done." Antetokounmpo trade rumors have cooled off around the league, and while anything can happen in the NBA, that doesn't seem likely at this point. "Do I think the star guys like Giannis (Antetokounmpo) or LeBron (James) are going to go anywhere? Nope. Is it possible? Sure is," said a Western Conference executive. Giannis chose to stay in Milwaukee with one of the most lucrative contract extensions in NBA history. He was overly critical of the team's effort last season, and another early playoff exit may have driven him to the edge. Even so, he's talked about how he wants to win "the right way," as opposed to chasing rings. That said, with head coach Doc Rivers' long list of questionable postseason performances and a championship window that could be closing right before their eyes, Giannis trade rumors will flood social media again if the Bucks get off to a slow start during the 2026-26 campaign.
Steelers' Omar Khan Just Exposed Why He Traded Minkah Fitzpatrick
The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the entire fan base and NFL world when they traded Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the Miami Dolphins. When the Steelers got him from Miami early in his career, Fitzpatrick quickly became an All-Pro safety and a key piece of Pittsburgh’s defense. Over time, though, many fans began to feel like his play was slipping, and it seems the Steelers agreed. In return for Fitzpatrick, the Steelers acquired veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith. The move raised eyebrows across the league, not just because of Fitzpatrick’s reputation, but because of what it signaled about the team’s direction. Ramsey brings a physical presence to the secondary, and Smith gives the offense a much-needed boost at tight end. The Steelers clearly wanted to shake things up on both sides of the ball. When General Manager Omar Khan was asked why the team moved on from Fitzpatrick, his response was eye opening. Khan took time to speak to the media on Wednesday as training camp kicked off. He spoke about the importance of retooling the roster with players who better fit the team’s current vision and playing style. Khan made it clear that difficult decisions are sometimes necessary in order to keep the team competitive, and this trade was one of them. "I don't know if it necessarily was moving on from Minkah," Khan said via the Steelers' YouTube page. "We had an opportunity to acquire two Pro Bowl players that we felt, with where we are as a team, made sense for us. Have a lot of respect for Minkah. Minkah was a great football player for a few years for us and wish him the best. But it was really the opportunity to acquire these two players that we think can help us." That response from Khan was not only well-stated but perfectly captured the Steelers’ mindset. It makes complete sense that Pittsburgh decided to go all-in on this roster for the 2025 season. Even if the organization still believed Fitzpatrick could play at an All-Pro level, the opportunity to acquire two proven Pro Bowlers in return was simply too valuable to ignore. For a team trying to maximize its current championship window, it was a calculated and aggressive move. Ramsey is coming off a strong 2024 season and, while some believe his best years may be behind him, the Steelers clearly don’t share that view. The coaching staff expects Ramsey to play a major role in revitalizing the secondary and providing veteran leadership to a retooled defense. The same goes for Smith, who had a breakout year with the Dolphins last season and earned Pro Bowl recognition. Now in Pittsburgh, Smith will look to build on that momentum while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, a major upgrade at quarterback that should put him in position to succeed. Steelers Didn't Want To Trade Minkah Fitzpatrick What stood out most was how open and direct Khan was when discussing the decision to trade Fitzpatrick. It’s obvious the Steelers had great respect for him and didn’t take the move lightly. However, in the ever-changing landscape of the NFL, even beloved players are not immune to business decisions. As Khan made clear, this was about building the best roster possible for right now. And in the NFL, the business is just that—the business. It seems as if Fitzpatrick was just the asset the Dolphins needed in return to land the two Pro Bowl players. The Steelers and Khan did a good job keeping this roster in win-now mode, and that trade was a byproduct of that.
Green Bay Packers’ Top Candidate May Be One of Jordan Love’s Top Weapons
The Green Bay Packers have a logjam at wide receiver. Adding rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams to quarterback Jordan Love’s arsenal infuses a big-play element to head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense, while Mecole Hardman is a veteran presence at an otherwise young position group with untapped potential but limited big-game experience. As the 2025 regular season approaches, the Packers might be a popular phone call for general managers of teams aiming to bolster their receiving corps and upgrade the offense. Could Packers’ Romeo Doubs be a Top Trade Candidate? With training camp underway, Romeo Doubs sits atop the depth chart but could quickly be pushed by Golden for the top spot. In addition to Hardman, Golden, Williams, and Doubs, playmakers like Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed will also be pushing for snaps and a consistent role in the passing game. According to Pro Football Focus NFL analyst Bradley Locker, the competition and infusion of talent at receiver could make Doubs one of the top trade candidates across the NFL. “Since being taken in the fourth round in 2022,” Locker writes for PFF. “Doubs has become a solid option for Green Bay. Last season, he turned in a 71.0 PFF receiving grade with 1.62 yards per route run. However, his drop rate has sat above 9% in two of his three seasons, and health has also been an issue, with Doubs logging less than 700 snaps in two of three campaigns. “Golden figures to be Jordan Love’s WR1, especially with Christian Watson sidelined yet again. Green Bay also added rookie Savion Williams to the mix, which suggests that the team wasn’t satisfied with its receiver play from a year ago. Will the Packers finally move on from one of Doubs, Jayden Reed or Dontayvion Wicks, each of whom has shown flashes but not developed in full? The most likely would figure to be Doubs, who is effectively playing on a one-year deal in 2025.” If Golden makes the immediate leap and flashes like a No. 1 wide receiver, GM Brian Gutekunst and the Packers could bit sitting on one of the most coveted receivers for contending teams aiming to fill a need. Doubs has caught 147 passes for 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns through his first three seasons as one of Love’s top targets. If he’s supplanted by Golden, his next catch may come from elsewhere.
Potential landing spots for Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen
As training camps begin around the NFL, the grand picture of positional rooms is starting to take shape. But not every team is finished making moves. In particular, one veteran is inching closer to transforming the wide receiver room for one lucky franchise. Veteran wideout Keenan Allen is still on the market as we head into the final month of the offseason and is ready to make his presence felt. The long-time Charger has reportedly been "waiting for training camps to open to assess the landscape better and get a clearer picture of each team's wide receiver situation." NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that Allen "has drawn interest from multiple teams in recent weeks." Months after his departure from the Chicago Bears, the free agent may finally be finding a new home. The 12-year NFL veteran has accumulated over 10,000 yards in his career, along with 59 touchdowns. In his lone season with the Bears in 2024, Allen tallied 744 yards and seven TDs. Even at 33 years old, the nimble receiver is capable of big plays. Allen has repeatedly dominated from the slot and racked up yardage operating in the middle of the field. He is as savvy as they come and a true mastermind in the NFL. There are numerous potential fits for Allen around the NFL. Namely, a reunion with either his most recent team, the Bears, or his long-time home in Los Angeles is not out of the picture. Chicago Bears The Bears are banking on breakouts from the 2024 first-round receiver Rome Odunze and 2025 second-round pick Luther Burden III to fill out their receiver room. If the Bears deem either of the two not ready, Allen could return. Los Angeles Chargers Similarly, the Chargers are relying on 2023 first-round selection Quentin Johnston and rookie Tre Harris to carry a significant portion of the load in Los Angeles. Like the Bears, if these youngsters aren't ready, Allen could come in and serve as a stopgap. New England Patriots Outside potential reunions, a selection of wide receiver-needy franchises remain as strong options. First, the Patriots have long sought help at receiver in recent years. Despite bringing Stefon Diggs this offseason, Allen could be added to help assist second-year quarterback Drake Maye in 2025. Pittsburgh Steelers Another potential destination resides in Pittsburgh. As the Steelers have loaded up on veteran talent as they push for a better season in 2025, Allen could start right away and push for a deep playoff run in the AFC. San Francisco 49ers Lastly, a name to watch for Allen's talents in the 49ers. The Niners have placed both Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall on the PUP list. Meanwhile, standout receiver Jauan Jennings has been holding out for a new contract. Things could get ugly in San Francisco in an instant; if they do, Allen would be the best possible option for them to bolster the unit.
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