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It was a solid season for the New York Knicks as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
New York loaded up last summer by making trades for both Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges to pair alongside Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart and it worked out well for them.
The Knicks finished third in the East during the regular season and they were able to advance past the Detroit Pistons and defending champion Boston Celtics in the playoffs to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
Unfortunately for New York, that is where their season would come to an end after the Indiana Pacers eliminated them in six games.
Now the Knicks enter a crucial offseason that could see them make some moves with the amount of star talent that may be available this summer and ESPN’s Shams Charania believes roster changes are coming for the Knicks.
“The Knicks have internal meetings this week to really evaluate everything from their coaches, to their players... I do expect the Knicks to be aggressive. ... (Thibodeau) has the support not only Jalen Brunson, but also the front office,” Charania said.
"The Knicks have internal meetings this week to really evaluate everything from their coaches, to their players... I do expect the Knicks to be aggressive. ... [Thibs] has the support not only Jalen Brunson, but also the front office."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 2, 2025
—Shams Charaniapic.twitter.com/9OySC61AjD
Of course, New York has been aggressive over the last two seasons as they have added Anunoby, Towns and Bridges and Charania believes that they are not going to slow down their aggressiveness this summer.
Despite this, the Knicks do have a limited amount of tradeable assets, especially draft pick wise, and for them to add another star player they would likely have to move on from one of their key pieces.
While that may be the case, New York is in prime position to make another deep playoff run next season with the Celtics looking as though they are going to make some changes due to Jayson Tatum’s injury, leaving the Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Pacers as possibly the top teams in the East next year.
Because of this, this offseason is a major one for the Knicks as they try to upgrade their lineup and bench to make a run at a championship next season.
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Lakers' Austin Reaves Seeking Miami Heat Star's Payday as Free Agency Nears
As we get deeper into the summer and most actual NBA activity comes to a standstill, it can be beneficial to take a moment to look back. And then to look forward. For the Lakers, probably no player is worth both a look back and a look forward more than Austin Reaves, the one-time undrafted guard from Oklahoma who managed to carve out a starring role for himself in the NBA despite significant odds working against him. Really, what are the chances that a fifth-year Sooners senior who shot 30.5% from the 3-point line in his final college season and did not get a sniff in the NBA draft would go on to be a Lakers starter? Reaves averaged 20.2 points last season, and was seen as the third leg of a Lakers offense that was potent after acquiring Luka Doncic from the Mavericks. Austin Reaves Needs to Be Paid But now the Lakers need to pay Reaves (who has a player option after the coming season), and things will get complicated here. For one thing, it was always going to be difficult to figure out how much Reaves should get, given his lack of a deep pedigree and his sudden rise in the rotation. It's even harder now that the new CBA has put serious teeth into the luxury tax, with its aprons and its severe team-building penalties. Still, as NBC Sports reports, Reaves is going to want to match the contract given to Heat star Tyler Herro, who was the No. 13 overall pick from Kentucky and has an All-Star game to his credit. Herro is in the midst of a four-year, $120 million contract. NBC Sports writes: "Reaves reportedly wants to be paid in the Tyler Herro range of $30 million a year (and Herro is a good comp in a lot of ways). If Reaves shows this season that he can be a high-level scorer next to Luka Doncic and can step up his game in the playoffs, the Lakers gladly will pay that much to keep him (and Reaves will want to stay). However, if he struggles again in the playoffs, the Lakers — who will have a lot of cap space — may question whether that is the best way to spend their money." Lakers Likely to Balk at $30 Million Per Year The problem is, Herro was given that contract well before the aprons became a reality, and almost as soon as the Heat doled it out to him, they were trying to trade him. Perhaps it is a fair deal, but it is not one the Heat would likely want to give out again. Would the Lakers feel the same about a potential Reaves contract? Not likely, not in today's tighter financial environment. As one GM put it: "You can't just say, 'Well, he averages 20 (points) so he needs to get $30 (million) per year.' No. You're going to have to take these negotiations more seriously. You're going to have to be realistic about what a guy is worth, on both ends of the floor, before you put a number out there. And Austin Reaves should get $24, $25 (million) a year. Not $30. "It matters."
Green Bay Packers 4th Round Rookie Heralded As Steal Of The Draft
The Green Bay Packers’ front office has made a habit of unearthing underappreciated talent in the NFL Draft, and rookie Barryn Sorrell might be their latest gem. A fourth-round pick out of Texas, Sorrell has turned heads in training camp and delivered a standout performance in the Packers’ preseason opener against the New York Jets. It’s early, but the buzz is building—Sorrell could be the steal of the entire 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s a closer look at Sorrell’s impressive week, why coaches are raving about him, and what his role on the team could look like as the season unfolds. Green Bay Packers Barryn Sorrell: Preseason Debut Though the Green Bay Packers fell short against the Jets in their preseason opener, Sorrell’s debut was nothing short of promising. Lining up on the defensive edge, the rookie flashed the explosiveness and technique that made him a standout for the Texas Longhorns in college. Pro Football Focus gave Sorrell a team-best pass rush grade of 87.9 for the game, showcasing his ability to generate pressure. While Green Bay didn’t record a sack as a team, Sorrell came close on multiple occasions, recording two quarterback hits and two pressures. On one notable snap, he effortlessly tossed Jets tackle Max Mitchell aside before delivering a clean shot on quarterback Brady Cook, demonstrating a pass rush technique well beyond his years. “He looked sharp out there—really sharp,” Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said after the game. “For a young guy stepping into this environment, his ability to impact the game with consistent pressure is what we want to see moving forward.” The Work Ethic That Sets Him Apart What has impressed coaches just as much as Sorrell’s on-field performance is his relentless effort and commitment to improvement. Practice reports continually highlight his hustle during drills and scrimmages. From chasing down plays to perfecting minor details in his technique, Sorrell has demonstrated the kind of mindset that coaches love to see in young players. “He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop,” linebackers coach Sean Duggan said. “When you see a guy like Barryn putting in that level of effort, it elevates the whole group. That’s been his reputation since he arrived in Green Bay.” That reputation has driven Sorrell to stand out during training camp and preseason, setting him apart despite a crowded defensive rotation. Why Sorrell Is Being Dubbed a Steal Draft analysts have been quick to call Sorrell one of the smartest picks of the 2025 Draft, though hindsight reveals just how much of a sleeper he was going in. Coming out of Texas, Sorrell had been productive at the collegiate level, showcasing a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield. However, concerns about his relatively modest size (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) for an every-down edge rusher caused him to slide to the fourth round. It’s now becoming clear that those concerns were overstated. General manager Brian Gutekunst, who has built a reputation for finding value in the mid-to-late rounds, once again seems to have struck gold. Sorrell’s early success highlights why many now believe that he should have gone much earlier in the draft. “There’s zero reason he should’ve fallen that far,” said one AFC scout. “The Packers got a guy with Day 2 talent in the fourth round, and it won’t take long before he proves it.” Eyes on the Future The Packers’ philosophy of building through the draft has rarely been more evident than in their approach to Barryn Sorrell. With veteran leadership guiding him and coaches invested in his development, the rookie appears to be in a near-perfect situation to succeed. For a team looking to solidify its defensive identity, finding a player like Sorrell is invaluable. His work ethic, playmaking ability, and high football IQ give him every chance of being a long-term cornerstone for Green Bay’s pass rush. Final Thoughts It’s far too early for definitive conclusions, but Barryn Sorrell’s introduction to the NFL has Green Bay Packers fans excited. His performance in camp and the preseason has already exceeded expectations, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what could be an immensely bright future. If his current trajectory holds, Sorrell won’t just be a steal of the draft—he’ll be a key piece in the Packers’ ongoing pursuit of greatness.
Commanders have major hang-up preventing them from paying Terry McLaurin what he's due
It’s been two weeks since Washington Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin publicly revealed his trade request, and a resolution doesn’t appear to be in sight. Thanks to ESPN’s John Keim, we’re starting to get more insight into how the Commanders are approaching negotiations…and how they run counter to their star wide receiver’s financial desires. As we’ve assumed all along, the Commanders are wary of giving McLaurin a lucrative contract that would extend well into the player’s 30s. As Keim notes, the Commanders “rely heavily on analytics,” and those numbers aren’t particularly kind to receivers on the wrong side of 30. They may be onto something. Per ESPN Research, over the past five years, only three receivers 31 years or older have played at least 10 games and averaged 70-plus receiving yards per game (that number jumps to six players if you adjust for 60-plus receiving yards). Further, the team can simply point to the NFL landscape, as other teams are also clearly wary of paying aging wideouts. Among the 24 active wide receivers who are attached to the most guaranteed money, only Tyreek Hill was older than 30 when the deal was signed. McLaurin has continually pointed to his lack of mileage despite his age; he barely played during his first two years at Ohio State, meaning he may not have the same wear and tear as similar players his age. McLaurin is also naturally pointing to the stat sheet, as the receiver has continually produced despite uncertain QB play, uncertain ownership and a handful of different coaching staffs. Per Keim, the Commanders don’t want to pay McLaurin based on his past performance, with the front office preferring to shape any future contracts based on his projections for age-31-plus seasons. The organization also doesn’t want to set a new precedent by paying McLaurin, as it could convince future veterans to push for lucrative deals in their 30s. While McLaurin has taken the drastic measure of requesting a trade out of Washington, the organization is still convinced they have leverage in this showdown. After all, the player is still under contract for the 2025 campaign, meaning McLaurin will have to forfeit game checks if he sits out games. The team could even choose to slap him with the franchise tag next offseason (which could come in north of $30M), meaning they’re in full control of the player’s fate moving forward. The team is also skeptical that another suitor is going to willingly pay McLaurin the type of money he’s seeking. Per Keim, there’s doubts around the league about whether another team would be willing to meet the receiver’s demands. Even if a clear suitor does emerge, Keim makes it clear that Washington’s front office won’t give the star away without receiving a haul. We heard recently that McLaurin wasn’t necessarily seeking a deal that matched fellow 2019 draftee D.K. Metcalf‘s deal with the Steelers. However, Keim says Metcalf’s contract has generally served as a guide for McLaurin, but it’s uncertain whether the Commanders wideout is looking to match the AAV ($33M) or total guarantees ($60M). Ultimately, one source believes the Commanders may agree to pay McLaurin a contract that will pay $28M per year. Of course, it’s uncertain if the player would even accept that offer. If that hypothetical maximum offer doesn’t end in a signing, a divorce may be the logical next step.
Steelers Rookie Develops A-List Nickname In Training Camp
Pittsburgh Steelers training camp has seen all of the focus be on Aaron Rodgers, and rightly so, but there are others who are catching the eye with their performances. However, there is one undrafted free agent rookie who is making a name for himself, quite literally and it is running back Max Hurleman. The former Notre Dame star has been putting together good days of practice for Mike Tomlin's offense, but he has also developed quite the nickname among his teammates, and it is a nod to an A-list actor. Steelers beat reporter Mark Kaboly detailed the nickname in a long-winded X post. “Maybe it’s because of his chiseled jaw, or possibly because he can do his own stunts like a backflip in full pads after scoring a touchdown,” Kaboly posted. “Whatever the reason is, Steelers rookie Max Hurleman has been saddled with quite a unique and interesting nickname. His teammates call him … Tom Cruise.” That is quite the name, and it isn't just that which is making people begin to notice Hurleman...it's his feats on the field. In the 31-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first preseason game, Hurleman hauled in a 26-yard reception and followed that up with a nice touchdown grab, which he celebrated by performing a backflip in the endzone. Whether or not Hurleman makes the final 53-man roster is unknown, but it is clear he is leaving no stone unturned in his attempts to, and who knows, with a nickname like Tom Cruise, he might just do something thought "impossible" and survive roster cuts.
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