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Longtime Pelicans assistant Fred Vinson is leaving New Orleans after 14 years with the organization, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reports that Vinson will join Monty Williams‘ coaching staff with the Pistons.
As a professional player in the NBA and several other leagues worldwide from 1994 to 2007, Vinson transitioned into coaching in 2008, spending two years with the Clippers before joining the Pelicans (the Hornets). He worked under Williams from 2011-15, then remained with the team under three more head coaches (Alvin Gentry, Stan Van Gundy, and Willie Green).
As Wojnarowski notes, Vinson is highly regarded for his expertise as a shooting instructor. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer refers to the veteran assistant as one of the NBA’s top “shot doctors,” pointing to improvements made by Lonzo Ball and Herbert Jones, among others. New Orleans ranked fourth in the NBA this past season with a .383 3PT%.
While Vinson's hiring looks like a strong signal that Williams will be coaching the Pistons next season, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic cautions against reading too much into it. As Edwards points out, new Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon is close with Vinson from their time together in New Orleans, and Detroit needed a shooting specialist.
Langdon has reportedly been given the green light to make a head coaching change if he decides it’s in the franchise's best interests, despite the five seasons remaining on Williams’ six-year, $78M deal. However, the deeper we get into the team’s offseason without a move being made, the less likely it appears that a change will occur before the 2024-25 season.
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Report: Celtics struggling to trade away 1 player
The Boston Celtics have already made two big trades this offseason, but they are apparently getting stiff-armed in their quest for a trifecta. Boston is struggling to find a trade partner for guard Anfernee Simons, Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com reported on Wednesday. Afseth notes that the Celtics continue to be focused on shedding salary this offseason. Simons, the 26-year-old former Dunk Contest champion, was just acquired by Boston last month as part of the Jrue Holiday trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Celtics then managed to create some more financial flexibility by trading away Kristaps Porzingis shortly thereafter. With multiple 20-ppg seasons already under his belt, Simons has obvious value as a scorer. But he lacks efficiency and defensive chops and also has a bloated salary for next season at $27.7 million. Though the Celtics managed to get under the second apron of the luxury tax by trading away both Holiday and Porzingis, 2025-26 will effectively be a punt year for them due to star player Jayson Tatum, who will likely miss the entire season as he recovers from an Achilles rupture. With Tatum owed $54.1 million next season, Jaylen Brown owed $53.1 million, and Derrick White owed $28.1 million, it doesn’t make much sense for Boston to have their cap tied up beyond that if they are not going to be competing for a championship. On the bright side for the Celtics, Simons is on an expiring contract next year, which could be especially appealing to rival teams come the February trade deadline. But at least for now, it looks like Boston may have to prepare to open up the new season with Simons still on their roster.
Patriots have big Drake Maye concern surface at Vikings' joint practice
Defense ruled the day during the joint practice between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots defense did a masterful job of disrupting Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy at Wednesday's practice. However, New England's offensive line was unable to allow Drake Maye to have enough time to finish plays. "Even with four new expected starters up front following last year’s debacle, Wednesday suggested that there will likely be some bumps ahead for this offensive line," Graff wrote. "Sure, going up against the Vikings was always going to be a difficult task. Greenard has been wrecking his own team’s practices in training camp, and everyone in New England knows how good Flores’ scheme can be. But the domination was so thorough by the Vikings’ front seven that three straight plays at one point would’ve resulted in a sack." Maye showed flashes of promise when he had time to throw downfield or was able to use his legs to buy time or scramble when pressure came. The concern is that the offensive line won't allow Maye enough time to even scramble so he can make throws. Graff has noticed the same issues that happened on Wednesday have been a constant at training camp against the Patriots defense. With a new-look offensive line that includes first-round pick Will Campbell at left tackle, the Patriots are expected to have some bumps at training camp and in September. New England's offense probably won't look great out of the gate while the offensive line develops in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' scheme. If and when the offensive line improves, Maye will have a chance to show off the arm that made him the No. 3 pick in 2024. For now, the offensive line is a concern much like it was last season.
Leeds United Move On From Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz, Set to Sign Former Sunderland Target
So far, it has been a rather busy summer for several Premier League clubs, including newly-promoted Sunderland and Leeds United. The Black Cats have completed an extraordinary total of 11 signings, and recent reports point more towards a 12th signing rather than finished business from the club's board. However, there is also talk of potential departures, and in recent hours, it has been mentioned that defender Jenson Seelt (22) could be heading to the Netherlands. Meanwhile, recent reports suggest Leeds are about to sign a striker who featured on Sunderland's target list this same summer. Leeds United move on from Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz, set to sign former Sunderland target According to Sky Sports, Leeds United are about to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin, after the 28-year-old striker became available following the end of his contract with Everton. Given his contractual situation, it was logical that Calvert-Lewin would be linked with several clubs this summer, and that's exactly what happened. Some reports placed him on Sunderland's radar, but the Lads ultimately opted for Chelsea's Marc Guiu (19), who arrived at the Stadium of Light on a season-long loan. It was Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie who confirmed that the Lads were indeed interested in the 28-year-old Englishman, although his arrival ultimately didn't materialise. Yes Sunderland were interested in signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin earlier in the window, but I’m told no contract offer was made to the player. SAFC instead pushed ahead for Chelsea’s Marc Guiu and concluded that deal. Calvert-Lewin now signing for Leeds.Keith Downie The press also reported that Leeds could sign Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, but it appears they will ultimately go for Calvert-Lewin instead, with the Cottagers set to sell their Brazilian forward to Serie A side Atalanta. Read More:
Cubs catcher lost to horrific-looking injury on same day he returns from IL
After working to return to the Chicago Cubs' lineup following an oblique injury, Miguel Amaya suffered a gruesome-looking injury in his first game back with the Cubs on Wednesday night. Running to first base, Amaya just beat out an infield single on a slow dribbler to shortstop when his left foot landed forcefully on the base, causing his leg to buckle and sending Amaya flying down the first base line. Following the injury, Amaya was carted off the field in Toronto with a towel over his face. The emotions shown by Amaya as he was carted off indicated he knew already he would miss more time in a season that has been marred by injuries. After the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Amaya would be going back on the injured list with what was diagnosed as a left ankle sprain. X-rays, however, were negative. The 26-year-old Amaya had just told reporters after being activated from the 60-day injured list that he was thankful he was healthy. Just three at-bats later, Amaya was once again injured. Amaya's three at-bats against the Blue Jays on Wednesday represented his first game action since May 24, when he recorded just two at-bats against the Cincinnati Reds before leaving the game with an oblique injury. In just 96 at-bats this season, Amaya is slashing .281/.314/.500 with four home runs and 25 RBI. Amaya's injury is another blow for the Cubs, who have seen their lead in the National League Central evaporate as the Milwaukee Brewers have now won 12 consecutive games and are 20-4 since the All-Star break. As has been the case in Amaya's absence, Carson Kelly and Reese McGuire will continue to be the dominant presences behind the plate for the Cubs. Joining with Amaya, the duo has helped the Cubs record a 2.8 Wins Above Average (WAA) at catcher, the highest mark of any MLB team. After Amaya's injury, the Cubs would go on to post a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.
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