FOXBORO — The New England Patriots are moving on from Yannick Ngakoue, reportedly waiving the veteran pass rusher on Tuesday.
The Patriots claimed the 29-year-old Ngakoue in early November after he was released by the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore had hoped to get Ngakoue through to its practice squad, but the Patriots pounced and took a flyer on the former Pro Bowler.
The Patriots claimed Ngakoue on Nov. 8, and he made his New England debut on Nov. 17 in a loss to the Los Angele Rams. He was on the field for 46 percent of New England’s defensive snaps the following weekend, recording two tackles in a loss to the Dolphins in Miami.
Over his six games with the Patriots, Ngakoue played 39 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and recorded just nine tackles and two QB hits. One of those quarterback hits came in Week 17’s blowout loss to the Chargers, when Ngakoue was also flagged for an extremely avoidable — and costly — roughing-the-passer penalty ahead of halftime that helped set up a Los Angeles field goal.
The Patriots brought Ngakoue in to help jumpstart the team’s pass rush, but that was a nearly impossible task for anyone joining the club. Entering Week 18, New England is last in the NFL with 28 sacks.
In releasing Ngakoue now, the Patriots are giving the veteran a chance to join another team for the playoffs. If Ngakoue finds a new team, it would be his seventh different franchise since leaving the Jaguars after the 2019 season.
Tune in to Sunday’s Patriots-Bills clash on WBZ-TV — the television home of the New England Patriots. Coverage begins Wednesday night with Patriots 1st Down at 9:30 p.m. on TV38 and streaming on CBSBoston.com, and continues Friday night with Patriots All Access at 7 p.m. on WBZ-TV. Pregame coverage begins Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. with Patriots GameDay on WBZ-TV and streaming on CBSBoston.com, and switch over to TV38 after the game for full reaction and analysis on Patriots 5th Quarter.
Matthew Geagan is a sports producer for CBS Boston. He has been part of the WBZ sports team for nearly 20 years. He moved over to the web in 2012 and has covered all the highs (and a few lows) in Boston sports.
The New England Patriots have reportedly waived veteran linebacker Yannick Ngakoue, according to multiple sources. Ngakoue, who was signed by the Patriots in the offseason, was expected to be a key contributor on defense. However, it appears that the team has decided to part ways with the 28-year-old linebacker.
Ngakoue, a former Pro Bowler, has had a successful career in the NFL, recording 45.5 sacks and 18 forced fumbles in his six seasons in the league. It remains to be seen what led to the Patriots’ decision to waive Ngakoue, but it is likely that the team is looking to make changes to their roster as they head into the regular season.
It will be interesting to see if Ngakoue is claimed off waivers by another team, or if he will become a free agent. Regardless, this move by the Patriots is sure to shake up the linebacker position and raise questions about their defensive strategy moving forward. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
The Patriots made a roster move three days after an embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, New England waived veteran linebacker Yannick Ngakoue. The Patriots picked up the 29-year-old midseason after the Baltimore Ravens released him. The edge rusher recorded nine tackles and zero sacks in six games.
Ngakoue’s notable play in his final game with the Patriots was a roughing the passer penalty on Justin Herbert. NFL broadcaster Ross Tucker based the ninth-year pass rusher for the blatant penalty and believed it was a selfish play to try to boost his stats for offseason negotiations.
The Pro Bowler failed to earn a pass rush grade over 60, according to Pro Football Focus. He only registered three pressures in his Patriots tenure.
Head coach Jerod Mayo noted New England will go all out to try to beat the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium this Sunday. Ngakoue’s release will open up a roster spot for someone else to try to make an impression in the regular-season finale.
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The New England Patriots have reportedly waived veteran pass rusher, Derek Rivers, after a lackluster performance in training camp.
Rivers, a former third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has struggled to make an impact on the Patriots defense since entering the league. Despite flashes of potential early in his career, Rivers has failed to solidify himself as a consistent contributor on the field.
With the Patriots looking to bolster their pass rush heading into the season, it appears they have decided to part ways with Rivers in favor of younger, more promising options.
It remains to be seen where Rivers will land next, but it’s clear that his time in New England has come to an end. As the Patriots continue to make roster moves in preparation for the upcoming season, it will be interesting to see how they address the pass rush position moving forward.
The Los Angeles Clippers have been good this season: 18-13, sitting fifth in the Western Conference thanks to a top-five defense and enough offense from James Harden and Norman Powell to win games.
They will get Kawhi Leonard back in a week if everything goes according to plan. Leonard has been back practicing with the team since Dec. 18, and his target return date is Jan. 4, reports Law Murray of the Athletic. Leonard has been out all season due to inflammation in his right knee and will have missed 34 games before his return if he hits the target date.
Here is what coach Tyronn Lue said about Leonard after the Clippers shootaround on Friday, talking about how he has to play more 5-on-5 before the team’s medical staff will clear him.
“I mean, it’s hard to get those [5×5 practice] days because we have three games and four nights coming up. So he won’t travel, he won’t go on the trip, and so he’ll stay back, and he’ll practice with our G league team, to be able to get those reps in, and to get those 5×5 games in…
“He doesn’t like to play 5×5 a lot outside of the games, but this is very important to the medical staff, to Lawrence [Frank, team president], to our group as well, just making sure he’s getting the right amount of reps, making sure he’s doing everything, so this isn’t a recurring thing, so we can kind of monitor the fluid and see how it’s working. So so far, it’s been really good.”
That Clippers road trip is back-to-back Monday and Tuesday at New Orleans and San Antonio, followed by facing Oklahoma City on Thursday.
If the Clippers get the Leonard we saw last season, they become much more dangerous. That Leonard was a Second Team All-NBA player who averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals a night, shot 41.7% on 3-pointers (62.6% true shooting) and played high-level defense. That Leonard next to Harden should boost the Clippers’ bottom 10 offense and make them that much more dangerous.
According to recent reports, the LA Clippers are reportedly targeting the January 4th game against the Atlanta Hawks for star forward Kawhi Leonard’s return to the court. Leonard has been out of action for several weeks due to a knee injury, but it appears he is nearing a comeback.
Fans of the Clippers will be eagerly anticipating Leonard’s return, as he is a key player for the team and has been sorely missed during his absence. His presence on the court will undoubtedly provide a huge boost to the team and their chances of success.
The game against the Hawks on January 4th is sure to be an exciting one, as Leonard’s return will add an extra level of intrigue to the matchup. Be sure to mark your calendars and tune in to see Kawhi Leonard back in action for the Clippers.
RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State is reportedly set to hire former Eagles linebackers coach D.J. Eliot as the program’s next defensive coordinator, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. Eliot is a long-time defensive coordinator who has served in the same role at Colorado, Kentucky, Kansas and Temple.
Eliot most recently served in a consulting role with Baylor after spending nearly a decade as a defensive coordinator in the aforementioned spots. The 48-year-old assistant began his coaching career in 1999 at Wyoming and has more than 20 years experience as a college assistant after earning his first position coach job as a Texas State DBs coach in 2003.
Pack Pride will have more on this potential hire throughout the night.
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NC State reportedly set to hire D.J. Eliot as next defensive coordinator
According to multiple sources, NC State is set to hire D.J. Eliot as their next defensive coordinator. Eliot, who previously served as the defensive coordinator at Colorado, will be tasked with revamping a Wolfpack defense that struggled at times during the 2021 season.
Eliot brings a wealth of experience to the position, having also served as the defensive coordinator at Kentucky and Florida State. He is known for his aggressive and innovative defensive schemes, and has a track record of developing players at every level of the defense.
Fans are hopeful that Eliot’s hiring will bring a new energy and effectiveness to the NC State defense, which has been a point of concern in recent years. With his proven track record and expertise, Eliot could be the missing piece that helps elevate the Wolfpack to the next level.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
On Sunday (Dec. 29), the New York Post revealed that Yolanda Saldívar, the woman behind bars for the murder of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, is actively seeking a 2025 release. The 64-year-old will have a parole hearing in March. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed to the publication that her record has no disciplinary infractions that would prevent the hearing from taking place. Saldívar reportedly stated that, if released, she plans to live with relatives and find work.
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The former nurse and founder of Selena’s fan club shot the 23-year-old superstar on March 31, 1995, during a confrontation in a Corpus Christi, TX hotel room. The Tejano star discovered that Saldívar embezzled more than $60,000 and was planning to fire her. The convicted shooter claimed that the act was accidental, and she intended to take her own life. Following a short trial, a jury convicted her of first-degree murder, and she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
The New York Post added that Saldívar’s notoriety made her a marked figure within the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville, TX, which notably houses the state’s female death row inmates. As a result, officials placed her in protective custody.
“There’s a bounty on her head, like everyone wants a piece of her,” said Marisol Lopez, a former inmate who served time alongside Saldívar. “The guards keep her away from everyone else because she’s hated so much. If she were [in general population], someone would try to take her down.” Another ex-inmate, Yesenia Dominguez, echoed those sentiments. “Everyone was always like, ‘Let me have five minutes with that b**ch.’ Everyone wanted to get justice for Selena.”
Meanwhile, members of Saldívar’s family, including an unnamed cousin, expressed support for her potential release. “Keeping her in prison isn’t going to do any good,” the relative stated. “It’s time for her to get out.”
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The convicted killer of Tejano star Selena, Yolanda Saldivar, has reportedly filed for parole. Saldivar was convicted of first-degree murder in 1995 for the shooting death of the beloved singer.
The news of Saldivar’s parole filing has sparked outrage among Selena’s fans, who remember the tragic loss of the talented musician. Many are calling for Saldivar to remain behind bars for the rest of her life, believing that she does not deserve a second chance after taking the life of such a beloved figure.
Selena’s legacy continues to live on through her music, and her fans are determined to ensure that justice is served for her senseless murder. As the parole hearing approaches, the world will be watching closely to see what decision is made regarding Saldivar’s future.
“Tanuvasa was an important piece to the [Utah] defensive line the past two seasons and was being counted on to lead the team into 2025.”
BYU got a first-hand glimpse of the impact Tanuvasa can make along the interior of the defensive line. In the rivalry game on November 9, Tanuvasa had a season-high four tackles.
After BYU won the game 22-21, Tanuvasa had an exclusive interview with KSL Sports and shared his thoughts on the rivalry.
“I wouldn’t say anger or hatred; it’s a rivalry game, but it’s not like they’re the worst people on earth,” Tanuvasa said to KSL Sports on the BYU-Utah rivalry in November. “It’s not like they’ve actually done things to deserve my hate. They deserved everything to deserve my best competition.”
BYU had a pressing need for a defensive tackle during this transfer portal cycle. The reported move of Tanuvasa to BYU will give the Cougars an immediate starter for the defensive front in 2025.
BYU begins winter conditioning for the 2025 season next week.
Tanuvasa is the second player from Utah to transfer to BYU during the 2025 portal cycle. He joins tight end Carsen Ryan.
Tanuvasa was initially recruited by BYU during the class of 2019 coming out of high school. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tanuvasa served a two-year mission before enrolling at Utah.
Tanuvasa was a three-star prospect coming out of high school.
BYU football concluded the 2024 season with an Alamo Bowl victory over No. 23 Colorado. They finished the season with an 11-2 record.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
BYU Football Reportedly Lands Utah Transfer Keanu Tanuvasa
According to reports, BYU football has secured a commitment from Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa. The defensive lineman is set to join the Cougars for the upcoming season, adding depth and talent to their roster.
Tanuvasa, a former standout at Utah, brings a wealth of experience and skill to the BYU defense. His addition is expected to bolster the team’s defensive line and provide a much-needed boost to their pass rush.
Fans of the Cougars are excited about the news and eager to see Tanuvasa in action on the field. With his proven track record of success at the collegiate level, he is sure to make an immediate impact and help lead BYU to victory in the upcoming season.
Stay tuned for more updates on Keanu Tanuvasa’s transition to BYU and his contributions to the team as they prepare for a successful season ahead.
Several next-gen Asus GPUs from Nvidia and AMD have been listed by hardware data aggregator momomo_us at X. Retailers and distributors are bracing their inventory as we approach CES next month. The leak suggests that Asus may introduce a new “Astral” sub-series of GPUs under its high-end ROG brand. In addition, two retailers, Intcomex and El Changarro, accidentally put up listings for the Asus ROG Astral RTX 5080 ahead of launch.
Asus categorizes its products into three distinct lineups: Prime, TUF, and ROG, ranked from most budget-friendly to most premium. The leaker mentioned three GPUs across Asus’ three product families: the RTX 5080 from Nvidia, the RX 9070 XT, and the RX 9070 from AMD. For the uninitiated, the RX 9070 XT is renamed RX 8800 XT since AMD’s RDNA 4 family will allegedly be rebranded RX 9000.
This leak asserts that the RTX 5080 will adopt 16GB of memory, which aligns with previous rumors. Likewise, the RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 are rumored to sport 16GB of memory, though allegedly based on slower GDDR6 technology. The list suggests that Asus is developing a new Astral sub-series of GPUs, which might join Strix and Matrix under the Asus ROG umbrella. Astral is related to stars so that Asus might incorporate a white or silverish tone into these GPUs, but let’s wait for official confirmation.
From what we can see, the listed models include the RTX 5080 based on the new ROG Astral series, which is probably exclusive to Nvidia. Next, we have the RX 9070 XT and non-XT cards in Asus TUF and Asus Prime flavors with a pinch of overclocking capabilities on select models.
With 16GB of VRAM based on this leak, the RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 may feature a 256-bit interface, a sigh of relief as AMD isn’t cutting down on memory. The RX 9070 non-XT should adopt a nerfed Navi 48 die with fewer CUs (Compute Units) and a lower TGP. On the flip side, its direct competitor, the RTX 5070 Ti, sticks with 16GB, dropping to 12GB for the RTX 5070, per rumors.
According to leaks, Nvidia’s Blackwell family, which includes the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5070 series, is expected to launch next month. While AMD’s starting lineup is unknown, the RX 9070 XT and the RX 9070 are potential candidates to compete with Nvidia’s RTX 5070 offerings.
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Exciting news for all you tech enthusiasts out there! The highly anticipated Nvidia RTX 5080 and AMD RX 9070 GPUs have been listed ahead of their official launch, and rumors suggest that Asus is gearing up to release a new “Astral” GPU lineup.
With the next generation of graphics cards on the horizon, gamers and content creators alike are eagerly anticipating the performance improvements and cutting-edge features that these new GPUs are expected to bring. The Nvidia RTX 5080 is rumored to offer even more powerful ray tracing capabilities and faster processing speeds, while the AMD RX 9070 is said to deliver exceptional performance for high-end gaming and multimedia tasks.
Asus, known for its top-notch hardware and innovative designs, is reportedly working on a new GPU lineup called “Astral” that will feature these latest Nvidia and AMD GPUs. With Asus’s reputation for high-quality products and attention to detail, we can expect nothing but the best from their upcoming releases.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Nvidia RTX 5080, AMD RX 9070, and Asus’s new “Astral” GPU lineup as we get closer to their official launch dates. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the tech community, and we can’t wait to see what these new GPUs have in store for us!
Joe Biden regrets having pulled out of this year’s presidential race and believes he would have defeated Donald Trump in last month’s election – despite negative poll indications, White House sources have said.
The US president has reportedly also said he made a mistake in choosing Merrick Garland as attorney general – reflecting that Garland, a former US appeals court judge, was slow to prosecute Donald Trump for his role in the 6 January 2021insurrection while presiding over a justice department that aggressively prosecuted Biden’s son Hunter.
With just more than three weeks of his single-term presidency remaining, Biden’s reported rueful reflections are revealed in a Washington Post profile that contains the clearest signs yet that he thinks he erred in withdrawing his candidacy in July after a woeful debate performance against his rival for the White House, Trump, the previous month.
The president stepped aside – to be replaced as his party’s nominee by the US vice-president, Kamala Harris – after mounting pressure from fellow Democrats, who cited polling evidence that appeared to show him heading for a near-certain election drubbing from Trump, who was seeking a historic return to the White House as the Republicans’ nominee.
Harris’s ascent to the top of the ticket led to a surge of enthusiasm and improved poll numbers but ultimately ended in a decisive electoral college and popular vote defeat.
While Biden and his aides have been careful not to blame Harris, they apparently believe the result would have been different if he had stood his ground, according to the Washington Post’s reporting.
It is a view disputed by many Harris supporters, who blame the president for waiting too long before withdrawing, thus leaving the vice-president with little time to mount an effective campaign.
They also point out that Biden’s determination to seek a second term violated his 2020 campaign vow to be a “transitional” figure, who would pass the torch after one term after steering the country away from Trump’s presidency.
“Biden ran on the promise that he was going to be a transitional president, and in effect, have one term before handing it off to another generation,” Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic senator for Connecticut told the Post.
“I think his running again broke that concept – the conceptual underpinning of the theory that he would end the Trump appeal, he would defeat Trumpism and enable a new era.”
The outgoing president’s misgivings over Garland are poignant given that he announced him as his attorney general nominee the day after a Trump-incited mob attacked the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 in an effort that ultimately failed to overturn Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory.
At the time, Biden said Garland would restore “the honor, the integrity, the independence” of the justice department after years of perceived politicisation under Trump.
“Your loyalty is not to me. It’s to the law, to the constitution, to the people of this nation,” Biden told Garland at his official unveiling.
But according to the Post, Biden had to be persuaded by his chief of staff, Ron Klain, to choose Garland – at the time best known as Barack Obama’s failed choice to succeed the conservative justice Antonin Scalia on the US supreme court before his nomination was derailed by a Republican-led Senate.
Biden’s political allies had pressed the case for Doug Jones, then a Democratic senator for Alabama, arguing that he would be better equipped to navigate Washington’s bitterly partisan atmosphere. Klain, instead, argued that Garland, reputed for fairness, would send a more reassuring message of justice department independence after Trump.
As events transpired, Biden still faced false accusations by Trump of “weaponising” the department as it pursued criminal investigations over his January 6 role and for hoarding classified White House documents – even while also investigating Hunter Biden and the president himself, the latter for also illegally retaining classified documents.
Biden now believes he should have chosen someone else, the Post reported, a view consistent with many Democrats, who believe Garland was too slow to investigate and eventually prosecute Trump for January 6 and related activities to reverse his defeat.
The deliberate pace of the investigation, which eventually resulted in the appointment of a special counsel, Jack Smith, meant Trump was ultimately able to avoid the spectacle of a politically damaging trial before this year’s election.
Smith last month formally applied for his two criminal cases against Trump to be wound up in view of his election victory, in effect ending them.
It has been reported that former Vice President Joe Biden has expressed regret over his decision to end his re-election campaign earlier this year. According to sources close to Biden, he believes that he would have been able to defeat President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Biden, who was seen as a frontrunner in the Democratic primary race before dropping out, has reportedly been reflecting on his decision to step aside. He is said to believe that he had a strong chance of winning the nomination and ultimately defeating Trump in the general election.
While Biden has not officially commented on these reports, many of his supporters are expressing disappointment over his decision to end his campaign. Some believe that he would have been a strong candidate against Trump, given his experience and name recognition.
As the election draws closer, it remains to be seen how Biden’s decision will impact the Democratic race. With the field narrowing down to a few frontrunners, Biden’s potential re-entry into the race could shake things up once again. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly traded guard D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Shams Charania of ESPN provided the details that included Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton coming back to Los Angeles:
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed on a trade sending D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, sources told ESPN. <a href=”https://t.co/V175zGtmKW”>pic.twitter.com/V175zGtmKW</a>
Russell spent parts of the past three seasons in L.A.. He exercised the $18.7 million option in his contract to remain with the Lakers over the summer.
After Russell opted in, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha reported that the Lakers were “expected to be aggressive” in finding a trade partner.
Russell is an NBA veteran who has enjoyed two stints with the Lakers, as well as time with the Nets, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.
He was originally the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Lakers, but it wasn’t until he went to Brooklyn that he truly broke out, as he was named an All-Star for the first and only time in his career in 2018-19 when he averaged 21.1 points, 7.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals per game.
The Lakers re-acquired Russell in a trade with the T-Wolves during the 2022-23 season, and he helped L.A. make it back to the Western Conference Finals.
Last season was one of the best of Russell’s career in terms of efficiency, as he averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 three-pointers made per game, while shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and a career-best 41.5 percent from beyond the arc.
In 29 appearances this season, Russell has averaged 12.4 points and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three.
Given Russell’s uncertain role and declining numbers, there has been plenty of speculation regarding big changes to the roster and his status with the Lakers as this season has unfolded.
With the Lakers shipping Russell to the Nets, the supporting cast around James and Davis now looks quite different.
Moving forward, the guard will have an opportunity to put up big numbers again like he did during his first stint with Brooklyn, especially if he assumes a larger role for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign ahead of a return to free agency.
The NBA world was rocked today as reports surfaced that D’Angelo Russell has been traded to the Brooklyn Nets. In exchange, the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired forward Dorian Finney-Smith and more in the deal.
Russell, who was the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, has shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the Lakers but has also faced his fair share of struggles. The 23-year-old point guard is seen as a high-upside player with the potential to develop into a star in the league.
On the other side of the trade, Finney-Smith brings a versatile skill set to the Lakers. The 25-year-old forward is known for his defensive prowess and ability to knock down shots from long range. He will provide depth and athleticism to the Lakers’ frontcourt.
The trade is sure to shake up the landscape of the NBA, as both teams look to improve their rosters heading into the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as well as all the latest news, scores, highlights, stats, and rumors from around the league.
Multiple league sources tell NetsDaily that the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies are talking about a possible trade that would send Dorian Finney-Smith to Memphis for wing John Konchar, shooting guard Luke Kennard and a protected first rounder, possibly in 2026.
It’s uncertain how far along the talks are and the level of protections remain a big issue, said sources. Konchar has three years — including this one — and $18.5 million left on his deal while Kennard’s contract is an expiring at $9.3 million. DFS is currently playing on a $14.9 million contract and has a $15.4 million player option next season which he is expected to decline, making him a likely free agent. Both Konchar and Kennard are 28, Finney-Smith is 31.
Said one source: “They are arguing over protections, but it gets done.”
A second confirmed he had heard the same but without some of specifics. He too suggested that protections on the first rounder are indeed an issue, saying the protections proposed by Memphis would make the pick “unlikely to convey.”
In addition, because Kennard is on a one-year deal, he must approve any trade.
Moving DFS would come less than a month after the Nets traded Dennis Schroder and a protected Heat second rounder in this year’s draft to the Warriors for two point guards, DeAndre Melton who’s out for the season and two-way point Reece Beekman, as well as three unprotected seconds — two from the Hawks in 2026 and a Warriors pick in 2029,
The Nets currently have multiple first rounders in every draft through 2029 except 2026, which like this year’s crop is viewed as top-flight. Overall, Brooklyn has 15 first rounders and 13 second rounders through 2031.
Marc Stein who two days ago suggested that the Nets and Grizzlies could be trade partners confirmed the ND report, adding that Brooklyn would also provide Memphis “second round draft compensation”…
The Nets are known to be seeking a first-round draft pick from the Grizzlies in any potential deal for Dorian Finney-Smith.
It is expected the Grizzlies would receive second-round draft compensation if a trade comes to a fruition.
Konchar, who’s played his entire seven-year career with Memphis, has been troubled by a quadriceps injury and has played only 17 games, averaging 2.8 points, an equal number of rebounds and 1.1 assists. A solid defender, Konchar has career averages of 4.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and shooting splits of 47/36/72.
Kennard, like Konchar 6’5” and like Konchar injured for most the season, has played only six games because of a strained muscle in his foot. When healthy, he is one of the game’s top 3-point shooters, ranking third all-time at 43.9%, behind only Steve Kerr and Hubie Green. For his career, he’s averaged just under 10 points a game, coming off the bench in 305 of his 410 games. Ironically, Memphis traded Ziaire Williams and the Mavs second rounder in 2030 to the Nets in July to free up money to sign Kennard. Both Konchar and Kennard could be traded again this season but only the simplest of transactions, either for another player or a draft pick. Anything more complicated would be prohibited since teams must wait 60 days to include traded players in larger deals and the trade deadline is only 39 days away. Kennard would also retain his veto rights on any subsequent trade.
The big prize would be another first rounder, assuming the reported protection issue can be settled. As Yossi Gozlan of CapSheets.com noted after the NetsDaily report, the Grizz 2026 pick could become valuable under certain circumstances.
The Grizzlies 2026 first-round pick is interesting because it has a slight chance of moving up in the draft if things go completely south for the Suns next season.
DFS would provide immediate relief for the injury-riddled Grizzlies…
Although troubled by injuries himself this season, missing 11 games, DFS is shooting a career best from beyond the arc at 43.5% while averaging a near career high 10.3 points.
If the trade was carried out as reported, Brooklyn would have to cut a player. Melton, as noted, is out for the season.
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In other Nets news, both Cams — Thomas and Johnson — are listed as probable for Sunday’s game vs. the Magic.
Cam Thomas has missed Brooklyn’s last 13 contests due to a left hamstring strain. When Thomas went down, the Nets had the league’s eighth best offense. Since then, they’re ranked 29th. Johnson missed Friday’s game vs. the Spurs with a right hip contusion.
According to recent reports, the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies are in discussions about a potential trade deal. The specifics of the trade are still unclear, but it is believed that both teams are exploring options to improve their rosters.
The Nets, who are currently one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, are looking to bolster their lineup for a deep playoff run. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are in the midst of a rebuild and could be looking to acquire assets for the future.
It will be interesting to see what players or draft picks are involved in the potential trade and how it will impact both teams moving forward. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.
