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Western Conference playoff seeding could come down to health
There are 10 Western Conference teams jockeying for playoff positioning. Their seeds might come down to rehabbing injuries.
ESPN Sources: Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry’s MRI on his right ankle returned clean on Friday and a clearer timeline on his return will come with how ankle responds over next several days. pic.twitter.com/McW6uAqNyt
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 8, 2024
LeBron James has been downgraded to out Friday against the Bucks because of his sore left ankle, the Lakers announce
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 8, 2024
With 3:51 remaining in the Warriors' loss to the Bulls Thursday night, Steph Curry exited with an ankle injury. With 3:56 remaining in the Lakers' loss to the Kings that same night, LeBron James headed to the locker room with his own ankle injury. The two teams are even in the standings and it could be physical therapy as much as their play on the court that determines who gets the higher seed.
It's the same story further up in the standings as well. The first-place Minnesota Timberwolves just lost Karl-Anthony Towns for at least a month after he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
ESPN Sources: Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns will undergo surgery to repair a torn left meniscus and will be reevaluated in a month. It’s expected Towns will return by early in the Western Conference playoffs. pic.twitter.com/SkbKl7OAdu
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 8, 2024
Minnesota only has a half-game lead on Oklahoma City for the conference's top spot while the fourth-place Clippers are only three games back. At least for now. They will play the rest of the regular season without Russell Westbrook, who fractured his left hand earlier this month.
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is working through his own ankle injury while backup Damion Lee is still recovering from meniscus surgery he underwent five months ago. Bradley Beal is healthy, now, but has missed 29 games with three different injuries this year.
While the New Orleans Pelicans only have Dyson Daniels on their injury report, they still rely on Zion Williamson, who missed 135 games over the previous two seasons. Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks MVP candidate Luka Doncic has a bad ankle and an injured elbow. Dallas also employs the fragile Kyrie Irving.
Only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets are totally healthy, which makes them the favorites to grab the top seed. As for the rest of the playoff positioning, the difference might come down to whirlpool time as much as crunch time.
More must-reads:
- Watch: Warriors' Stephen Curry limps to locker room after suffering ankle injury
- Karl-Anthony Towns injury threatens to derail Timberwolves' season
- The 'LeBron's championship teammates' quiz
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Bulls reinforce directionless future with questionable Josh Giddey offer
Josh Giddey, like most of his fellow restricted free agents, has spent much of the summer holding out for the best possible contract offer. The 22-year-old has reportedly been looking for a deal that pays him close to $30 million annually, but that's a pipe dream for a player who hasn't made positive contributions on a winning team. However, he may have just received the best offer he'll get from the Chicago Bulls — or any team, for that matter. Following extension talks that have spent weeks in limbo, the Bulls put a long-term offer on the table, according to Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson. The deal would reportedly pay Giddey an average of $20 million per year, a much more reasonable number. Giddey will be hard-pressed to find a more lucrative contract offer, despite his potential. No matter how long he waits, no team is going to throw borderline All-Star money for a player with pronounced weaknesses. He has averaged 14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game across four seasons. For that reason, Giddey should take Chicago's offer. But even if the Bulls do keep their guy, an extension of this magnitude would only reinforce what many believe about the team: It's a franchise with no direction. Possessing a roster without a true star, the Bulls are setting themselves up for disappointment if they expect Giddey to reach that level of effectiveness. The franchise would be better off betting on Coby White's future rather than a guard who struggles to both shoot and defend. Giddey should be elated that the Bulls decided to meet him halfway on a contract offer, especially considering his lack of other suitors. If an extension does get done, though, Chicago will eventually look back and wonder if those resources could have been better spent elsewhere. With a return to the draft lottery likely, the Bulls don't have any expectations for 2025-26. But rather than try something new after several years of underperforming and missing the playoffs for three straight seasons, Chicago is falling into the trap of committing to mediocrity.
New report sheds light on how Cowboys view Micah Parsons situation
It is no secret that the relationship between Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys is not on solid ground, but that does not necessarily mean it is tarnished beyond repair. On the latest episode of his podcast, which was released on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter predicted that Parsons and the Cowboys are "headed towards divorce." Schefter said the two sides have not spoken since April and that it seems like a matter of when — not if — they part ways. Longtime NFL reporter Josina Anderson was told the situation is not quite that grim, at least from the Cowboys' perspective. Anderson reported on Tuesday evening that the relationship between Parsons and Dallas "has not deteriorated to the point of an imminent divorce." "I did not detect any obvious tones of concern in my sourced conversation when I recently asked about ESPN's Adam Schefter's report stating he sees 'these two sides headed towards a divorce, in time.' ... I just feel Dallas has so much history with protracted (and) sensitive negotiations, thus my current impression is the club remains unrattled, at this time," Anderson wrote in a post on X. Parsons is earning just over $24M in the final year of his rookie contract this season. The 26-year-old had 12 sacks in 13 games last season and has 52.5 sacks in 63 career games. Parsons is arguably the best pass-rusher in the NFL when healthy. Although Parsons has formally requested a trade, the Cowboys maintain that they have no intention of dealing their four-time Pro Bowl defensive end. The only real leverage Parsons has is creating a headache in Dallas. He remains under contract, and the Cowboys also have the ability to use the franchise tag on him in each of the next two seasons. If Parsons were to sit out regular-season games, his contract would eventually toll. Even with Jerry Jones publicly taking shots at Parsons, one massive contract offer could change everything.
Steelers undrafted rookie reportedly upset Mike Tomlin before being cut
The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly had a few quality undrafted free agents during 2025 training camp and preseason, as many of them have put up an actual fight to make it to the 53-man roster. Unfortunately, there is very little room on the team, so some very tough decisions will have to be made on that front. Guys like Max Hurleman and JJ Galbreath have been stating their case throughout camp and into gameday, giving the coaching staff a good problem. One decision was surprisingly easy, however. During his weekly Q A chat, insider Ray Fittipaldo was asked about undrafted rookie Roc Taylor and why he was let go right after the preseason Week 2 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spoke about something that happened right before that contest. "[Roc Taylor] actually got in Tomlin's doghouse at the joint practice," Fittipaldo said. "Not sure if that's the sole reason he was cut, but maybe part of it." Fittipaldo would not expand on what happened, but head coach Mike Tomlin saw enough of the rookie before gameday. It looked like Taylor would at least get first dibs on a practice-squad spot if he was released on roster cutdown day, but now, it seems like his chance of developing in Pittsburgh is gone entirely. Now, he is just hoping someone gives him a call for a chance to be on a practice squad elsewhere. It seemed like Taylor's stock was rising after preseason Week 2. Hurleman had a very rough game, and the former Memphis Tigers standout had three receptions for 39 yards against the Bucs. He was the second-leading receiver on the team, only behind Roman Wilson. It looked like he was forcing himself onto a roster spot, but apparently, Tomlin might have just been waiting until after the game to tell him to pack his bags and try again somewhere else. Steelers' Recent Receiver Issues Make Taylor Cut Even More Concerning What makes this decision even more rough is the fact that the Steelers have three receivers who are not healthy at all. Calvin Austin III is trying to return after missing multiple weeks of practice with an injury, Ben Skowronek recently developed a toe issue and utility man Jonnu Smith has barely participated in practice since July. Spots were opening up for undrafted rookies to take, but Taylor may have said or done something inexcusable enough to lose that chance. The Steelers entered training camp with questionable wide receiver depth, and now it's only more concerning. Wilson's recent development has been the bright spot of the preseason at that position, as Scotty Miller has been taking over the role of WR3 since the game against Tampa Bay. That's why they brought in another possibly injured veteran, Gabe Davis, for a visit, and now they may be hoping that he does not sign elsewhere. Instead of Taylor taking the opportunity to push for a roster spot, guys like Hurleman and Brandon Johnson will be looking to make the team and stick around as numerous players recover from their injuries. With Davis having another visit on Wednesday and the Steelers playing in the preseason finale on Thursday, he most likely will not be signed until after that game. That means the bubble players can prove to the team that they don't need him. It's not public in regards to what Taylor did to get himself in trouble, but he could have had this prime opportunity to be on an active roster as an undrafted rookie. He could have easily been above Hurleman and Johnson on the depth chart. Instead, he is just hoping he makes any team's practice squad now.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders standoff reportedly 'will end' this way
Eyebrows were raised when it was learned over the weekend that the Washington Commanders had activated wide receiver Terry McLaurin off the active/physically unable to perform list after he missed practice time with a supposed ankle injury amid his desire for a multiyear contract extension. McLaurin is in the final year of his current deal and requested a trade on July 31. For an article published on Monday morning, ESPN's Ben Solak revealed that a recent visit to the Commanders during training camp left him believing there's only one realistic outcome regarding the situation involving Washington and McLaurin. "Not only can I not find anyone who believes wide receiver Terry McLaurin will play for another team in 2025," Solak wrote. "I can't find anyone who has a remotely plausible hypothetical in which McLaurin plays for another team in 2025. This section might better be called one thing I didn't hear: a way McLaurin actually gets out of Washington. I strongly believe this standoff will end with a compromise extension before Week 1." McLaurin reportedly wants "parts" of the five-year, $150M contract that the Pittsburgh Steelers gave DK Metcalf as part of acquiring him from the Seattle Seahawks in March. While the Commanders seemingly aren't keen on giving a receiver who turns 30 years old in September that type of a deal, it's always been unlikely that they would trade the playmaker for a future draft asset coming off their trip to last season's NFC Championship Game. McLaurin finished last season with the second-most receiving touchdowns (13) in the league. He's the favorite target of quarterback and reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, who is viewed by many as a legitimate candidate to win the Most Valuable Player Award for the upcoming season. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Commanders tied for third (with the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers) among the betting favorites at +950 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX this coming February. The Commanders activating McLaurin suggests he may not be willing to forfeit money by sitting regular-season games out if he doesn't have a signed extension in hand when Washington opens the campaign with a home game against the New York Giants on Sept. 7. That said, it remains to be seen what type of "compromise extension" he could accept to take the field for that Week 1 matchup at Northwest Stadium.
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