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Karl-Anthony Towns expects another big season from Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves were a feel-good story of the 2023-24 NBA season. After years of building through the draft, Tim Connelly swung for the fences by acquiring Rudy Gobert in 2022. The trade didn't bring the immediate uptick in production the front office had hoped for.
However, after a full season together, Karl-Anthony Towns and Gobert clicked throughout their second year together. Anthony Edwards's ever-improving performances undoubtedly played a big role for the Timberwolves, too. Nevertheless, Chris Finch's team ultimately fell to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.
When speaking on a recent episode of "Podcast P with Paul George," Towns defended his team's postseason performance. He noted how the franchise had made significant strides to make it so deep into the playoffs and that the experience will only serve to improve their approach moving forward.
“I don’t think it was a disappointment in any sort of fashion,” Towns said. "I think that we said early on in the year, we want to do something special ... We obviously did something right I think that for us to get to that next step I think it was the experience, I think you know sometimes people make it happen you win, even the Boston Celtics who won it this year, they had to go through a time when they lost in the Finals"
Towns has faced consistent speculation over his future in Minnesota. He is often rumored to be drawing interest from the New York Knicks. However, no trade has ever materialized, allowing him to remain as a centerpiece to the Timberwolves' chances of challenging for a championship in the coming years.
Minnesota will likely count themselves fortunate to still have Towns on their roster and committed to bringing success to the franchise. Last season, he made his fourth All-Star appearance and produced on both sides of the floor despite a slightly diminished role due to the presence of Gobert.
In 62 regular-season games, the veteran big man averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and three assists per game, shooting 41.6% from three-point range and 55% from inside the perimeter.
The Timberwolves will undoubtedly face some stern competition in a loaded West. Yet, with Towns and Edwards leading the charge, they have a high chance of returning to the Western Conference Finals next season. If they can get there, their own fate will be in their hands.
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Former Houston Rockets Guard Signs with LA Clippers
Another former Houston Rockets guard is in the move this offseason, as TyTy Washington Jr. has signed a one-year contract with the LA Clippers, as reported by Shams Charania this weekend. Washington Jr., a former first-round pick, is now on his fourth NBA team in four seasons, as the 2022 draft pick is still trying to find his long-term home in the league. He played for the Rockets in his rookie season after being drafted with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. That would be his only season in Houston, where he logged 31 games, averaging 4.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Following his lone year with the Rockets, Washington spent time on both the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns on two-way contracts, logging minutes with both teams' G League affiliates. His most recent stint came with the Suns, logging 16 games on the main roster, only averaging seven minutes per game, so the opportunities seemed abysmal for the young guard. For the Valley Suns, Washington averaged 22.3 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.9 rebounds, proving he can be a solid scoring option, just needs the chance to prove his value to a team. Washington's career averages are 3.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest while shooting 34.7% from the field and 23.4% from the three-point range in 58 games. Now joining the Clippers this season, Washington is only 23, so the room to develop is still there for the 6-foot-3 guard. Obviously, going to a team that employs James Harden and Bradley Beal, minutes may be hard to come by for the young guard, but if he can prove his worth, then Clippers coach Tyronn Lue may find a way to include the former Kentucky product in his roster.
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
Steelers Might Be The Legitimate Reason Terry McLaurin Wants Out Of Washington
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a shocking move early in the 2025 offseason. In a bold and unexpected trade, the team acquired star wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, instantly changing the outlook of their offense. Shortly after the deal, the Steelers committed long-term, signing Metcalf to a five-year contract worth $150 million, with four new years and $132 million in fresh money. At $33 million per year, the Steelers made it clear they believe Metcalf is a rare talent worth every dollar. While the Steelers were focused on boosting their offense, their move has caused problems elsewhere in the NFL. The Washington Commanders now find themselves in a difficult position with their own star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that McLaurin "wants considerably more than" the $33 million per year that Metcalf received in Pittsburgh. That revelation has sparked questions about whether the Commanders are prepared to meet McLaurin’s growing demands. The Steelers may not have intended to impact other teams' contract negotiations, but their deal with Metcalf is now being used as a measuring stick. McLaurin, who has consistently been one of the most reliable wideouts in the league, is looking to cash in at a level that reflects his value. Pittsburgh’s decision to pay top dollar has inadvertently put pressure on Washington, who must now decide whether to match or exceed those terms to keep their top receiver happy. The Commanders find themselves in a difficult position as the NFL continues to see critical positions like wide receiver experience rapid increases in market value. As star players across the league sign massive deals, it becomes increasingly challenging for teams to build balanced rosters while also keeping their top talent and maintaining consistency from one season to the next. Washington is now facing that exact challenge with McLaurin. It makes perfect sense that Metcalf’s massive extension with the Steelers is being used as a comparison. This is a common pattern in the NFL. One player gets paid, and others in the same position group see it as their opportunity to cash in. McLaurin, after watching Metcalf land a $33 million per year deal, likely sees this as the perfect moment to get the contract he believes he deserves. It is not about being greedy. Players understand the business side of the league and know their value can shift quickly. When the opportunity comes, they have to take advantage of it. Steelers' Omar Khan Has A Chance To Do Something Crazy At Wide Receiver The bigger question is whether McLaurin could become available if things continue to stall in Washington. While the Steelers might seem like a potential landing spot, they are already investing heavily in Metcalf. Paying McLaurin even more than Metcalf would be incredibly difficult under the current financial structure. However, if General Manager Omar Khan were somehow able to make it work, it would completely reshape how the rest of the league views Pittsburgh entering the 2025 season. For now, both sides appear to be stuck, and that uncertainty could eventually lead to McLaurin’s name surfacing in trade talks, even if his price is far too high for Pittsburgh to realistically consider. While it’s highly unlikely the Steelers would make another major move at wide receiver, Khan has shown a willingness to get creative with the salary cap, so nothing can ever be completely ruled out. With the right cap maneuvering, there’s always a slim chance something unexpected could happen. Though the idea of the Steelers making McLaurin higher paid than Metcalf certainly sounds very unlikely at this point.
Top Islanders Star Tells Asst. GM, 'You Better Not Trade Me'
The New York Islanders are entering a new era under a revamped front office, and signs point to a potential retool—or even a rebuild. The most telling move came at the NHL Draft in June, when the team traded star defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for two first-round picks. It’s a rare move in today’s NHL to deal your top blueliner, and it raised eyebrows across the league. Analysts and fans have wondered if more moves are coming. Since there are several teams looking for quality assets at a reasonable salary cap, it’s a logical question. Is Bo Horvat A Potential Trade Candidate? During an appearance on the Cam and Strick Podcast, newly appointed assistant to the general manager Matt Martin—an Islanders fan favorite and longtime forward—revealed a humorous but telling moment from inside the locker room. Martin, now working closely with the Isles’ new GM, said that Bo Horvat texted him immediately after the front office changes were announced. “You better not trade me,” Horvat reportedly wrote. The comments from Martin suggest that Horvat has no desire to leave the team, even if the Islanders aren’t set to be competitive this coming season. If the team is dumping some of their best talents, he does not want to be among those the organization chooses to sell. Horvat likely didn’t have to worry. He has a full no-trade clause as part of his contract, and even if management were open to asking him to waive it, he could have blocked any deal. It sounds like that would be his intention, so he was getting ahead of things by making sure they knew not to even ask.
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