Earlier this week, the Toronto Raptors pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade to acquire All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard that included sending All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs. This has changed the landscape for the Raptors heading into next season, and it doesn’t appear that the front office is done quite yet. Ian […] The post Raptors hoping to shed salary after adding Kawhi Leonard appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Not a few heads were scratched and jaws that dropped on the floor when news broke on Wednesday that the Toronto Raptors have acquired Kawhi Leonard via a trade with the San Antonio Spurs. To get the swingman, the Raps gave up then-face-of-franchise DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a future protected...

After LeBron James signed with the LA Lakers the spotlight has rightfully shifted back on the NBA’s biggest drama this year – the Kawhi Leonard situation. At one point it seemed like the star forward had the entire basketball media world at his feet because everybody was waiting for something to...

The Kawhi Leonard saga is only a physical away from being over, but his camp gave his thanks to the San Antonio Spurs, despite trifling with them for the majority of the season and testing their limits during the offseason, requesting a trade. His official Instagram fan page posted a photo of Leonard...

On the day when there were no games in all four major sports, the summer’s biggest sports news was happening So for starters, I got a text yesterday from my buddy asking me what I thought about the trade. I feel like no one, myself included, initially thought Danny Green was going to be part of a...

Marcus Smart signed a four-year contract with the Boston Celtics, a deal that didn’t look like it was going to get done at the beginning of the offseason. Smart has played with the Celtics since they drafted him with the 6th pick in the 2014 draft and he said that Boston now feels like a […] The post Celtics guard Marcus Smart refers to Boston as a ‘second home’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics clearly value Marcus Smart. That explains why they locked the restricted free agent guard... Read More »

Following much uncertainty around veteran point guard Marcus Smart’s future with the Boston Celtics, he has agreed to return to the team on a four-year, $52 million deal to be a long-term piece of the puzzle. This has created a high level of excitement about the Celtics’ title chances next season...

Marcus Smart talked of winning championships today, and his love of Boston, and even an enjoyment of the free agent process.Those emotional scars from the last 20 days appear to have been erased that quickly, now that the Celtics’ best defensive player – indeed, one of the best young stoppers in...

Marcus Smart’s payday, Al Horford’s minutes, future draft picks, and more. Awesome questions this time everyone. Though that shouldn’t surprise me anymore. You guys and gals are the best. Around what position and when do you think the Kings and Grizzlies picks will convey? - Kingfish71 Kings...

Friday's Phillies notes

For all the talk of philosophy shifts and rebuilds, all many Orioles fans care about is when the five minor leaguers acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for All-Star shortstop Manny Machado might make it to the majors. Prospects are fun, but big leaguers helping contribute to a winning baseball...

The Philadelphia Phillies have checked in on Baltimore Orioles premiere reliever Zach Britton as Orioles trade rumors heat up ahead of the 2018 MLB trade deadline. After the Baltimore Orioles traded their All-Star shortstop Manny Machado, another cornerstone piece of the Orioles roster Zach Britton...

I can’t believe I even have to write this. In the wake of the Orioles trading Manny Machado to the Dodgers, the idea has surfaced in the national media that the Rockies should trade Nolan Arenado this month. Specifically in a piece from Stephen Tolbert at MLB Daily Dish and another one by R.J. Anderson...

As much as the Orioles' trade of All-Star Manny Machado signaled what they call an organizational shift in philosophy that will include all sorts of upgrades to the player development machine in an effort to rebuild the club for the future, it will be a while yet before that forward-focus truly...

Following the Oklahoma City Thunder shipping former NBA All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, leading to a buyout, has put the Houston Rockets in the driver seat to add him to the mix. With that in mind, reigning league MVP James Harden has chimed in on the situation calling the potential […] The post Rockets’ James Harden discusses potential addition of Carmelo Anthony (Video) appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Young Philadelphia 76ers wings Justin Anderson and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot are being sent to Atlanta and Oklahoma City respectively, for Mike Muscala. It was only a matter of time until Carmelo Anthony was traded or bought out by the Oklahoma City Thunder. We’ve been collectively waiting for the other...

New developments have Anthony about to be free to sign with any team he chooses. We’ve all been waiting for several weeks now for the other shoe to drop and Carmelo Anthony’s situation with the Oklahoma City Thunder to resolve itself so that he could become a free agent and be available to play...

The Oklahoma City Thunder are staying active this offseason. After moving Carmelo Anthony’s contract off the books by shipping him off to Atlanta, the team is sending another player to the Eastern Conference. According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, the Thunder are trading Dakari Johnson to the...

The deal sending Jared Dudley to the Brooklyn Nets will save Phoenix $2.1 million in cap space.         

After strong showings in the final month in the season and throughout Summer League, Harrison earned his way onto the roster in 2018-19. The flurry of roster activity, like I hinted at after the announcement of the Jared Dudley trade earlier this morning, turned out to happen all at once. And it wouldn’t...

Today, the Phoenix Suns will guarantee Reed’s contract for the 2018-19 season Today, the Phoenix Suns have decided to guarantee Davon Reed’s contract for the 2018-19 season. Breaking news: Suns also are guaranteeing contract of Davon Reed— scott bordow (@sbordow) July 20, 2018 Also, Suns...

Free agent point guard Yogi Ferrell has turned back on his recent two-year, $5.3 million agreement with the Dallas Mavericks in order to re-enter free agency, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. It was less than 20 hours ago that the Indiana product agreed to a deal with the team, setting up Dirk Nowitzki’s one-year, […] The post Yogi Ferrell walks back deal with Mavs, re-enters free agency appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In a move that surprised literally nobody, the Dallas Mavericks have brought back the greatest player in franchise history, Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk Nowitzki will continue his phenomenal career for at least one more season, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks worth $5 million, according...

Yoenis Cespedes had been sidelined for more than two months with a hip injury.        

The Mets have made some moves as they begin the second half. The New York Mets have recalled Drew Smith and optioned Corey Oswalt back to Triple-A. The team also officially activated left fielder Yoenis Cespedes from the disabled list and sent Dominic Smith down to Las Vegas ahead of tonight’s game...

Yoenis Cespedes returns to the Mets after being out with an injury.        

The Braves’ second baseman was pulled early in the first game against the Nationals as a precautionary measure. There have been a lot of players’ who performances have propelled the Braves near the top of the NL East in the first half of 2018. Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis have been outstanding, but its arguable that the most important cog in the lineup has been Ozzie Albies. Albies has combined strong defense at second, playmaking speed, and a surprising uptick in power to post 3.4 fWAR so far in 2018 with 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases which is pretty insane when you consider...

Join us! Good evening! The Atlanta Braves take the field in the nation’s capital tonight and it just feels right to have meaningful baseball back in our lives. Be cordial to one another in the comments below and let’s enjoy this one together. Ready, set, baseball. PREVIEW | LINEUPS

Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Zimmerman are back in the majors with the Nationals for the start of this weekend’s three-game set with the Braves. In advance of tonight’s series opener with the NL East’s second place Atlanta Braves, the Washington Nationals reinstated both starter Stephen Strasburg and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman from their respective stints on the Disabled List. Strasburg has been out of action since early June, which Zimmerman has been on the DL since early May. In order to make room on the roster, the Nationals optioned Wander Suero to Triple-A after they’d...

Earlier this week, it was announced that Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown would get the honor to grace the “Madden NFL 19” cover for this year’s edition of the popular video game. In light of that, San Francisco 49ers All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman has taken the time to congratulate Brown on receiving this […] The post 49ers’ Richard Sherman welcomes Steelers WR Antonio Brown to the Madden family (Video) appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Ahead of Green Bay Packers training camp, star quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated that he’s not giving any thought to his contract status with the franchise. The former Super Bowl MVP is signed for the next two seasons, but with more lucrative extensions (at least on an annual basis) coming to the likes of Jimmy Garoppolo […] The post Packers, Aaron Rodgers haven’t made much progress toward extension appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Jacob deGrom has been at the center of trade speculation, but he isnt letting the rumors affect him.        

Must be all that money he’s saving by not making car payments Way back in March, the Minnesota Vikings made the decision to give former Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins a fully-guaranteed $84 million contract. That deal has put him on the short list of the highest-paid athletes not only in the National Football League, but any athlete anywhere in the world. According to the list put out by Forbes Magazine, Kirk Cousins is the 55th-highest paid athlete in the world. Given the amount of money that’s thrown around in European soccer and other sports, that’s kind of...

Cole Hamels sounds like he wants to return to the Philadelphia Phillies MLB Trade Rumors: Cole Hamels, Texas Rangers starting pitcher and former Philadelphia Phillie, apparently would like to return to Philadelphia, telling Philly writer Scott Lauber that a trade to the Phillies would be “a blessing.” Hamels also calls being with the Phillies on August 5, 2018, when the 2008 championship Phillies team is honored, “the perfect scenario.” Hamels is widely believed to be on the trade block, and is one of the better starting pitchers seen as likely to move. Complicating the...

The Mets aren’t likely to trade their best starting pitchers, but Familia sounds like he could be dealt. Jeurys Familia has drawn interest from seven to eight clubs and the New York Mets have “gotten to the point of exchanging names with teams” on their closer, according to Andy Martino of SNY. Scouts are reportedly on hand tonight at Yankee Stadium to see Familia pitch, and Martino anticipates that he will be moved “well before” the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. After a lost 2017 season that included a 15-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy, a...

Editor's note: This is the 29th in a series of Cowboys player profiles leading up to training camp. To see more profiles, click here.Cooper RushPosition: QBSize: 6-3, 228Age when season starts: 24College: Central MichiganDrafted: Signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017Experience: Second seasonContract status: In second year of three year, $1.6 million contract2017 stats: Name Position Games Completions Passing yds Carries Rushing yds Cooper Rush QB 2 1 of 3 2 2 13 2017 recap: Rush played sparingly in 2017 as Dak Prescott stayed healthy and...

A number of Warriors players actively recruited DeMarcus Cousins to the Bay Area, but the newly-signed Warrior can definitely state which one of them presented the worst pitch.

The Browns’ top draft pick from a year ago just cannot get Ben Roethlisberger out of his head as he prepares for the 2018 season Younger members of Steelers Nation might not be aware that the Pittsburgh Steelers once had a fierce rivalry with a team called the Browns based in Cleveland. Sadly, when it was announced on November 6, 1995, the team would be moving to Baltimore, football effectively died in Cleveland. Granted an expansion franchise by the NFL in 1999, the modern-day version of the “Browns” bears little resemblance to the team that once resided in the city. While efforts...