Latest news with #Timberwolves
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Vikings' Justin Jefferson caught playing Fortnite at Pacers-Thunder game after Stephen A's solitaire uproar
Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson didn't let front-row seats at the NBA Finals stop him from gaming on Thursday night in Indianapolis. A viral clip from the Indiana Pacers' Game 6 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder shows Jefferson playing ' Fortnite ' on his mobile device as a seatmate thumbs around on his phone. Many fans were outraged to see two people squandering courtside seats along the baseline, which were valued at around $50,000 on the resale market. 'Imagine being rich enough where 10 to 50 thousand dollar tickets don't even matter,' one critic wrote in response to the social media clip. Many others offered some version of: 'Just watch the game.' Of course, the clip appears to come from before the opening tip. And while most NBA fans would feel lucky to watch warmups from the baseline, Jefferson is no stranger to that vantagepoint. The former LSU star is a near-fixture at Minnesota Timberwolves games and was regularly seen sitting courtside throughout the playoffs. A clip from the Indiana Pacers' Game 6 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder shows Jefferson (left) playing ' Fortnite ' on his mobile device as a seatmate thumbs around on his phone The viral clip does serve as another warning for high-profile NBA playoff attendees. Just last week, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith was caught playing solitaire during Game 4 of the Finals. A clip of the distracted sports media personality subsequently went viral, leading Smith to offer a defense online. 'Yep! That's me,' Smith wrote. 'Who would've thought….I can multi-task. Especially during TIMEOUTS! Hope y'all are enjoying the NBA Finals. This is going 7 games now, peeps!' Smith was right about this series going seven games. Oklahoma City entered Thursday with a chance to eliminate Indiana on the Pacers' homecourt, but instead fell 108-91. Now the Thunder will have homecourt advantage for the 2024-25 season finale on Sunday night. Once again, the Pacers bench outshined the Thunder's, as power forward Obi Toppin had a team-high 20 points. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City sixth man Alex Caruso had a -33 plus-minus rating for the game as he failed to score. Jefferson and his Vikings teammates are now done with organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp. They'll return to the team facility in Eagan, Minnesota when training camp begins on July 26.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pistons Named Best Fit for Timberwolves' Free Agent Big Man
Pistons Named Best Fit for Timberwolves' Free Agent Big Man originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After seeing what Cade Cunningham did in the 2024-25 NBA season, the Detroit Pistons now understand the value of putting spacing around their rising superstar. Their desire for more has been noted by insiders across the league. Advertisement Marc Stein reported a while back: "The Pistons are among the teams with interest in [Minnesota] Timberwolves big man [Naz] Reid, league sources is known to covet a floor-spacing big man and, according to sources, is likewise said to hold interest in Indiana's Myles Turner." Stein is not the only man who believes there is a natural fit between the Timberwolves center and the Pistons. Bobby Marks of ESPN thought the same was true. Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Osentowski-USA TODAY Sports Marks tried to play matchmaker in his latest write-up for ESPN. The well-respected writer had the Pistons as one of the two best fits, alongside the Timberwolves, for the versatile big. Advertisement Marks projected Reid's next deal to be around three years, $57 million. The last year of the new contract includes a player option. "Because of the Timberwolves' finances and the majority of other teams with no more than $14.1 million to spend in free agency, Reid's next contract is difficult to project despite the former Sixth Man of the Year having his best season," Marks noted. He continued, "By declining the $15 million player option and signing a three-year, $57 million contract with the Timberwolves or a team that has cap space, Reid gets a slight increase in salary. More importantly, he has the option to extend or become a free agent in 2027." Marks explained how the Pistons can easily get themselves into the mix here. There would, however, be a price to pay for that. Advertisement "The Pistons, meanwhile, could create up to $17 million in cap space (or possibly more with a trade) but at the expense of free agents Tim Hardaway Jr., Dennis Schroder and Malik Beasley," Marks concluded. If Detroit is hell-bent on spacing the floor at the five spot, Reid is a great candidate to do that. However, to Marks' point, that will not come without sacrifice. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Mock Draft Predicts Timberwolves Will Pick UConn's Liam McNeeley
NBA Mock Draft Predicts Timberwolves Will Pick UConn's Liam McNeeley originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to evaluate which prospect they'll add to the roster. Their decision-making also includes consideration of how that roster might change via trades and free agency. Advertisement Rumors swirled about Kevin Durant getting traded to the Timberwolves, but those were recently shut down with reports KD wasn't interested in playing for them. Meanwhile, the team could still make a trade or two. Their young backup guard, Rob Dillingham, center Rudy Gobert, and Donte DiVincenzo were all mentioned as possible trade assets. The Wolves could also lose roster members via free agency. Naz Reid is one individual mentioned as possibly exploring his options. Julius Randle seems less likely to leave right now. With the NBA Draft, the Timberwolves hold the No. 17 pick, giving them another trade asset. However, they may opt to keep the pick and gamble on finding a gem for their roster. University of Connecticut forward Liam McNeeley drives to the Donnan-Imagn Images According to a recent NBA Mock Draft from SI's Nick Crain, University of Connecticut's Liam McNeeley will be available at No. 17, allowing Minnesota to select him. Advertisement McNeeley was a highly-touted five-star recruit who played high school ball alongside Cooper Flagg, among other first-rounders this year. In his freshman campaign at UConn, he averaged 14.5 points, six rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. The 6-foot-7 forward was an essential part of UConn's season and postseason, which featured a near-run to the NCAA Final Four under Dan Hurley. He showed a variety of skills on the court, including potential for high-scoring games, with a 38-point outburst in UConn's win against Creighton in February. While SI's mock draft displayed McNeeley at No. 17, the other predictions for his draft spot differ vastly. A mock draft from Yahoo! Sports' Kevin O'Connor earlier this week suggested McNeeley might go as high as the No. 11 pick for the Portland Trailblazers. Advertisement Other drafts show the UConn Huskies star dropping to No. 20 for the Miami Heat or No. 23 where the Boston Celtics could take him. The 19-year-old ranks as the sixth-best small forward available in the draft, per They tout McNeeley as 'one of the most polished and dependable offensive wings' in the draft, and a great shooter with deep range. The knocks against him could be "speed and burst," possibly raising concerns about his future upside. However, contends McNeeley could provide a solid shooter and long-term floor spacer for a team's rotation. The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is on Wednesday, June 25 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Other potential picks that the Timberwolves could take at No. 17 include BYU's Egor Denim or Georgia's Asa Newell, who is McNeeley's former high school teammate. Related: NBA Mock Draft Sees Timberwolves Pick Forward Who Compared Himself to Chris Bosh This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Anthony Edwards Is Not Involved In Kevin Durant Recruitment
Anthony Edwards Is Not Involved In Kevin Durant Recruitment originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves have been the most aggressive team in their pursuit of Kevin Durant. It is easy to see why they keep pushing for a Durant trade because he would be a fantastic partner for superstar Anthony Edwards. Advertisement Despite the appealing dynamic, the Timberwolves front office members are the only parties involved in pursuing Durant. Some people have speculated that Edwards is recruiting Durant, but that is not the case because the 23-year-old is not part of the chase. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, Durant has narrowed down his preference for the teams. He would be okay if he is traded to the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, or the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio is his favorite across the three teams, but the Phoenix Suns might be asking too much from them, as they want the second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Suns are reportedly pushing for Durant to go to Minnesota because they might have the best package. Advertisement Related: Zach Lowe Admits The Kevin Durant Trade To The Timberwolves Is Challenging Edwards Is Not Involved In The Timberwolves' Durant Chase While he is the most appealing reason behind a potential Durant move to Minnesota, Edwards is not active in the Timberwolves' pursuit of the two-time Finals MVP. This is a shame for some Timberwolves fans because Edwards could be the difference-maker when it comes to recruitment. He is a former teammate of Durant in Team USA's 2024 Paris Olympics run. "Talked to some people close to Anthony Edwards. This is a non-story. He's in Atlanta working out. He loves his former teammate. He loves his current teammates. Some people close to me said he's focused on what's next with this team. And he's not flying to L.A. to try to convince K.D. anything different," Marc Spears said on NBA Today. Advertisement The Timberwolves are ready to move forward with a trade for Durant, but KD is not budging. However, he does not have a no-trade clause, so he won't be able to refuse the trade if the Suns find a suitable package for the trade. The Potential Duo Could Be The League's Best Partnership It is fair to say that Edwards and Durant could be one of the greatest partnerships in the NBA's modern history. Edwards is cemented as a top-10 player these days, while Durant remains a fantastic player in his late 30s. However, Durant wants to play for a team that could secure him a long-term contract extension. He is already accomplished with championships, but he also wants stability with his final NBA contract. Advertisement The Timberwolves are unlikely to offer him the long-term contract he wants, as they will likely give him a shorter deal than he desires. That rules out Minnesota in his preference list, but Phoenix's front office will make the final decision. Related: Durant Does Not Want To Join Minnesota, But It Will Not Be His Decision To Make This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New NBA Report Indicates Suns' One Big Hope Amid Kevin Durant Trade Talks
New NBA Report Indicates Suns' One Big Hope Amid Kevin Durant Trade Talks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. NBA legend Kevin Durant wants the Phoenix Suns to trade him to the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat or Houston Rockets. Advertisement The Suns, though, can trade Durant anywhere since the future Hall of Famer doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract. Durant has one year left on his deal. He turns 37 in September. The NBA icon averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Suns this season in 62 games while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from 3 and 83.9% from the free-throw line. According to Sam Amick and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, the Minnesota Timberwolves will not trade for Durant if he's "not on board with the move." The Timberwolves have been made aware that Durant wants to play for the Spurs, but the Suns are hoping that Durant changes his mind about playing for Minnesota. Advertisement "The Suns have made it clear to Durant's camp that they need to prioritize the best return for the team in a deal," Amick and Krawczynski wrote. "What's more, they appear focused on landing the kind of impact players who can help now as opposed to prioritizing draft picks. "The Wolves would seem to have options available to offer, with Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle headlining a package that could give the Suns hopes of contending. With the offers from the Spurs, Rockets and Heat coming up short to this point, league sources say the Suns are still hopeful that Durant might warm to the Timberwolves possibility. "The Timberwolves do not want to make a seismic change to a roster that advanced to the Western Conference finals if Durant is not on board with the move, team sources said." The Suns are hoping Kevin Durant becomes open to playing for the Timberwolves. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Timberwolves All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards and Durant were teammates last summer on Team USA, helping the United States win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Advertisement Edwards has said numerous times that Durant is his favorite basketball player of all time. It's unknown why Durant doesn't want to play for the Timberwolves, who have made the Western Conference Finals two years in a row. A top 75 player of all time, Durant won the 2014 MVP Award with the Oklahoma City Thunder and back-to-back championships and Finals MVPs with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. Durant has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 1,123 NBA games with the Thunder, Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Suns. Related: Kevin Durant's Preferred Team Reportedly Taking 'Conservative' Approach in Trade Pursuit This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
