It is! The JR Sport Brief Show here with you coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network. I'm coming to you live from Atlanta, Georgia. Thank you to everybody tuned in all over North America. I hope you have had a tremendous Monday.
I'll be hanging out with you for the next three hours. This show gets started every weekday at 6 p.m. Eastern, 3 Pacific. I'm in Atlanta. Thank you to our producer in New York City, Ryan Botcher.
Thank you again to you, yeah, you, for listening. You could be in your car, you could be at home, you could be at work, you could be hanging out. I don't know what you're doing. But thank you for being here. And we've discussed a lot in the first hour, okay?
The NBA legal tampering period is open. What does that mean?
Well, Pretty much players, teams, their agents can come to an agreement On contracts, For this upcoming season, like Dory and Finney Smith. who's moving on from the Los Angeles Lakers going to the Houston Rockets. like, I don't know, Jaron Jackson junior, who's not going anywhere. He is sticking around. with the Memphis Grizzlies.
We've also heard of some other deals. James Harton got a big contract extension. You got Russell Westbrook. Him and the New York Knicks apparently have interest. And so we'll keep you up to date.
On a lot of these moves as they move forward, we talked about the Steelers and the Dolphins trade. We're going to have a great chat in about 20 minutes with Joe Rutter, who covers all things Steelers for the Tribune Review in Pittsburgh. And so we got a lot to get into as we continue on. You can always listen on the free Odyssey app. You can tune in on your local Infinity Sports Network affiliate.
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888-710-4ISN is the number. That's 888-710-47. Four. I S N. You can find me on the internet.
I exist everywhere. At J.R. Sport Brief. We got players moving, we got players staying. We'll keep you up to date.
And then we even heard that Yannis Ataracumpo was open to leaving the Bucks. We heard this like months ago. Really news? I don't know. Tell me when Giannis uh comes through.
with a little bit. of a trade request. Kevin Durant moved. Yannis might move. And really, is there any name bigger than the one I'm about to tell you about right now?
LeBron James. Not moving. sticking around at least at minimum. For one more season with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James is picking up his $50 plus million dollars option for this upcoming season.
So yeah, Dorian Finney Smith might be moving on from the Lakers. But LeBron is going to stay. Yeah, the Lakers need some help, they need some depth. We know that Luka Doncic apparently is on a little bit of a diet. Luka Doncich found out what the elliptical machine is and he's maybe put down the hookah.
Good for him. Lebron James, we know. is a freak. LeBron James is going to be 41 years old later this year. Come December, LeBron James is going to be 41.
Years old. This man is already a four-time champ, four-time finals MVP, four-time MVP, twenty-one time All-Star, twenty-two seasons, all-time leading scorer. I can go on and on and on. About the accomplishments of LeBron James. but nobody lasts forever.
Come on now. Nobody expects LeBron James to be running up and down the court when he is 52. Years old. LeBron James, for all intent and purposes, he'll probably be done. Before he turns 45 years old, I can't see him playing that damn long, and he's still an accomplished basketball player.
He can still get the job done. This past season, LeBron averaged about 258.
Now, for a guy who was 40 years old last season, he played in a good amount of games. LeBron James played in 70 games last year.
Now, I know people want to talk about load management, and is LeBron going to sit when he's on the road, is he going to play? It's seventy games for someone at his age and his level, is something to be applauded. And so kudos to Lebron. And so we found out he's picking up his option. He'll be out there on the court with Luca for one more year.
But as a part of this. His agent Rich Paul and his friend decided to speak up. He said Lebrun wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that.
But he values a realistic chance of winning at all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeannie and Rob. and consider the Lakers as a critical Part of his career. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.
Now, why would you make a statement like that? It's basically to put the Los Angeles Lakers on notice. That, yeah, we know that you have Luca. We know that you're moving forward with him. He's the future of the team.
We know that LeBron James is forty one years old. This is nothing more. Then a warning shot. But it got a lot of people up in arms. About what might be next for LeBron James.
Does this mean if the Lakers aren't good or Luca is hurt, does this mean that he's going to move on? Does this mean LeBron is going to ask for a trade-out? I don't necessarily. think so. Shams was on ESPN.
And he had some words about LeBron James, the comments from Rich Paul, and then it was also said over the weekend, caught on video, that LeBron James, he said his wife. Wants him to hang him up in about one or two years. Listen to what Shams had to say about it all.
So what we do know is he will be playing a record 23rd NBA season. Still not sure whether he's going to play one more season or he has multiple years left. But I'm told he wants to compete for a championship next season and he is uncertain about the Lakers roster moving forward. And my understanding is James is supportive of the Lakers positioning themselves around Luka Dantich, building for the future. And Rich Paul told me this morning, the Clutch Sports CEO, that the Lakers have been true partners of his and LeBron James for eight seasons while he's been there.
But as we see right there, he also told me the franchise is going to do what's best for them. They understand that they have to do what's best for the long term. And this adds an interesting wrinkle here in free agency. LeBron James is evaluating how he wants to finish his career. Yeah.
There's no guarantee that this guy is gonna finish up. with the Los Angeles Lakers. There's not. The Lakers aren't done. Free agency just started.
We already talked about one depth piece who's going to be moving on. Dorian Finney Smith is now a member of the Houston Rockets. But we know the Lakers' roster is not complete. But the names I'm about to share with you We know this is not a championship team. A Luka Doncic AUSTIN REEVES Rui Hachamura.
LeBron James And no center.
Okay? No center. Maxie Cleaver is center. Yeah. No center.
Jackson Hayes, I don't know if he could carry his own weight around. Not going to work. Alex Lynn can't move. The Lakers needed a center. from when they went out and acquired Luka Darcich.
This is not a championship team.
Now, do I think LeBron James is going to get traded in the middle of the season? Hell no Do I think LeBron James is going to wake up and say, move me? No, I I don't think so. I wouldn't be surprised, though. If we got to February, in the Lakers made a decision with LeBron James.
that we need to cut this loose.
Now keep in mind that LeBron's family is in LA. I think he can pretty much do his work from everywhere in regards to production and what not. But he's also a money maker. If I'm the Los Angeles Lakers, I I'm selling stars. I'm selling Shaq and Kobe and Kareem and and Magic.
I'm selling stars. I think things would have to hit ground zero in Los Angeles. for LeBron James to move on in the season.
Now, Having said that, I still believe if we move into next year and the Lakers stink, I wouldn't be surprised if LeF LeBron James says, hey, I want to hitch my wagon. To another team moving forward where I can move forward and win a title. I think LeBron, there's still a possibility he may finish his career elsewhere. Is he going back to Cleveland? I don't know.
Is he going to make his way to Texas and Houston? I don't know. Is he going to go to Golden State? Who knows? I'm just not sure.
That he's gonna finish in LA. I wouldn't be surprised if he moved on. I don't expect it to take place throughout the course of the season. And so I think everybody kind of speculating about where he may or may not go. I think that's just a A waste of energy at this point in time.
Bobby Marks, he was on ESPN and he was asked about whether or not a team could pick up LeBron. Who's trading for a guy? You know, who cost $50 million. I think somebody tried to get him a little cheaper next year. Listen to what Bobby Marks had to say.
To be sensitive to LeBron, who's considered one of the greatest of all time, there isn't, and here's why, Dan, he's making $53 million. He's in his last year of his contract. He's 40 years old. And I talked to numerous teams yesterday and asked that same question. Would you give up basically the farm?
And basically you'd have to give up four or five players to go get LeBron James for one year. And the unanimous answer was no, they wouldn't.
Now the stakes change a lot if LeBron James ever became a free agent and did some type of buyout in Los Angeles. There you would have 29 teams lined up for him. Yeah, nobody wants Lebron James for fifty million dollars. I think LeBron James, he'll stick around with the Los Angeles Lakers. And I'll tell you this.
I think we will see LeBron James. play at minimum. for two more seasons. 'Cause he wants to go out there, I think, and play with his other son. Bryce, who just just got to Arizona.
And hopefully, Bryce can make it into the NBA without daddy's full-on help. And so we'll see what happens with LeBron James. Ryan McDonough, former general manager in the NBA, he was on NBA TV and he added his own insights about LeBron James picking up his option and what his future is. This is LeBron's way of doing what you mentioned, continuing to put pressure on the franchise, giving himself leverage over the franchise. He used to do it in the form of one plus one contracts with the player option for the second year.
Samiti, this is a little different though. By opting in to that $52.6 million player option, he is trade eligible right now, and he still controls the situation because he's one of just two players in the league with a full no trade clause. Yeah, LeBron James can he can do what he wants. We'll see what the Los Angeles Lakers do, who they add, who they move to improve the team. Without a doubt.
Luca and and Lebron on the court at the same time. You have the core for a championship, but the Lakers they need depth. And they most certainly need some size. Uh speaking of of depth, We're size. I don't know about this one.
The loss excuse me, the Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter, junior to the Brooklyn Nats, For Cam Johnson. The Nets also get an unprotected first-round pick, and guess what year? 2032. Year, year that I am not even thinking about. I don't know if you are too.
God only knows what's going to be taking place in twenty thirty two. But Cam Johnson, who can knock down the three I think just as good as Michael Porter Jr., is going to be on his way to the Denver Nuggets.
Now I feel like we're moving on from one injured guy to the next. Cam Johnson this past season for the Brooklyn Nets only played in fifty seven games. This guy is always up and down, never really healthy. And so if you have the Denver Nuggets you bring on a cheaper option uh than Michael Porter junior Who can pretty much fill up the basket in the same type of way, but he costs way less than Michael Porter Jr., who will go to the Nets? And damn it, I don't know if we're getting back to the version that we saw out in Missouri.
He's going to go out there and get some buckets. Let's ask our producer, who happens to be a Brooklyn Nets fan, Bacha, how do you feel about this move moving on from Johnson and acquiring Porter Jr.? This is good. You just acquire more assets and you finally get salary that you might actually hit the salary floor because we're one of the few teams that. actually did have to pay people in free agency.
So I see this as a win. You get rid of Cam Johnson, who wasn't going to be... Anything special for us on a tanking team? You get 'em to the nuggets and you take on salary for a pick. It's Even, even, I would say.
You get a winning player in Denver for cheap. And then that's good to first round pick. Yeah, we'll see.
Well, in 2032. We'll see what other moves that the Denver Nuggets make surrounding this. Also, somebody else on the move, D'Angelo Russell, a former Net, a former Los Angeles Laker, he has agreed to a two-year contract Uh with the Dallas Mavericks. And so he'll be able to help hold down the fort until Kyrie Irving comes back. And we know that this is a team with championship aspirations now that they've uh They've added Cooper Flag and obviously Anthony Davis in exchange for Luka Donchich earlier this year.
So we've seen some wheeling, we've seen some dealing here when it comes down to the NBA now that the legal tampering period is open.
Okay, Jaron Jackson Jr., $240 million deal to stay with the Grizzlies. You have Dorian Finney Smith, who leaves the Lakers to go to the Rockets. D'Angelo Russell is now heading to the Dallas Mavericks and there's a lot going on all over the place in the NBA. We'll keep you up to date. As more news breaks, I'm sure we'll have some other deals that'll be announced before we get up on out of here.
Okay? It's the JR Sport Re Show here with you coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network. To open up the show, we talked about a move A couple of moves in a different league. We talked about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the trade that they made earlier today to acquire John U. Smith as well as Jalen Ramsey.
What are the expectations for the Steelers after this? Why did they now decide to get rid of Minka Fitzpatrick? What are we getting out of Aaron Rodgers? What's the deal with TJ Watt and his contract? We're going to have this chat with Joe Rudder on the other side of the break.
He joins us from the Tribune Review in Pittsburgh. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief Show, coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief. It is the JR Sport Reshow here on the Infinity. Sports Network We know that the NBA's legal tampering period is open.
We got people being traded. We got people signing contracts. But the day started up. with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have nothing to do with the NBA. pretty much getting all the action started.
We learn that they have acquired Johnu Smith. They've also brought on Jalen Ramsey. They got rid of Maka Fitzpatrick as a result. This is a team that has added and changed plenty of pieces over the offseason with Slay and Metcalfe and, of course, Aaron Rodgers and even TJ Watt. His contract And what may be of it kind of still hangs in the balance.
To talk about the moves the Steelers have made today, what they've done, what we can expect moving forward. Right now we're being joined by Joe Rutter, who covers all things Steelers for the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Joe, how are you? Doing well tonight. How are you guys doing?
Awesome. Thank you. Really appreciate the time. We got the deal. And once we had the deal this morning, Jalen Ramsey already had a a video uh announcing the trade, so this was something that was in the works uh for some time now.
A are you surprised that the Steelers were able to get both Jalen Ramsey and John U. Smith, which has been rumored for a while? Yeah, because this isn't, you know, you're used to the, until recently, you're used to thinking the Steelers as draft developed. Um, wait till the later parts of free agency and maybe add some pieces here and there. They rarely made a trade, they just didn't make a big splash, they weren't that type of team, and they've just turned that.
Reputation on its ear the last few years. And just look at the last few months, the guys who've made it, they've traded for. They gave mid cap. They got rid of George Pickens. They've added Aaron Rodgers, Darius Slay.
Now they make this huge deal, getting rid of Maka Fitzpatrick and getting Jalen Ramsey and Johnny Smith. while really giving up just a little little bit in draft capital, not much. These just are definitely not the stealers that you're used to seeing. And on top of that, giving out big money, they added money to the Jalen Ramsey contract. They gave DK Metcalf a $150 million deal, and they gave Delaney Smith $12 million.
So, I mean, you know, this is the team that not afraid to make action and move, whereas before they kind of sat back and let others do that kind of stuff.
Well, Joe, is this all strictly because of who they have at quarterback now and Aaron Rodgers? It has a little bit to do with Aaron Rodgers, but I think it's more with the fact they haven't won a playoff game since the twenty sixteen season. They've been one and done the last for the last five years. They've made the playoffs. They've gone out in the first round.
Mike, there's a lot of pressure on Mike Tallman. The organization wants to win. They want to win now. They want to make strides. And this is all part of that plan.
They're not no longer just. maintaining the status quo and trying to build for the future, there are definite signs this organization is going to do whatever it can and try to win now. And Joe Rutter is here with us from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. When you talk about winning now, of course, they're going all in with the quarterback and all the additions and pieces that they have. When you think about Aaron Rodgers, who is on a year-to-year basis even saying that this is probably going to be his last season, if things don't work out for the Steelers, would they not have to hit a reset?
Are they really that confident with Will Howard going forward? What's the plan if Aaron Rodgers says I'm done?
Well, and I think they expect that to happen no matter what happens this year. And they positioned themselves, they've added a lot of draft capital for next year, which ironically is going to be held in Pittsburgh. I should say coincidentally, because I don't think one has to do anything with the other. But next year, it's supposed to be a much better draft class than this year's.
So I think what their plan is, you know, they could have enough capital. They've built up enough equity that they can move up next year in the draft if they want to and get the franchise quarterback. That they're looking for. They're content to go with Aaron Rodgers this year. Mason Rudolph's going to be the backup.
Will Howard, they'll develop along and see how he comes. But unless something crazy were to happen and he would have to get on the field to play well, I think they're setting themselves up to address the quarterback position in the draft next year. And uh in the meantime, Saram in with as many good bases as they can. When you think about the offense, we just heard a rumor last week that Aaron Rodgers wasn't happy with the New York Jets offense and their run game. You know, the Steelers have kind of switched up their running back room and wide receiver now with D.K.
Metcalf, now bringing in also John U. Smith. How do you think Arthur Smith is going to round out this offense?
Well, I think they're going to look at trying to use John New Smith in a variety of ways. I don't think he's just going to be a straight pass-catching tight end. They have Pat Fryermuth available to do that. I think they plan on using Maybe John New Smith a little bit in the backfield. They can put them out wide.
They can put them in the slot. They can use them in different areas. Um, because he's not he doesn't have the size of most of the other spieler tight ends. He's not a 280-pound guy, six foot four or five. He's a smaller guy.
And I think they want to use him in a variety of ways and kind of you know make up for getting rid of George Pickens. They need a solid number two. behind DK Megaf. And there's nothing to say they can't use a wide tight end in that situation than a receiver, and I think they're going to plan to use. multiple tight end packages and try to score points that way.
when you think about the defense or the defensive acquisition of Jalen Ramsey, what is he bringing to this team different from a Micah Fitzpatrick? What are the Steelers gaining with Ramsey? What have they lost with Minka?
Well, they're getting a great cover cornerback. You know, somebody that they compare with Joey Porter Jr. on both sides. And you still have Darius Slay.
Now the question becomes: will Jalen Ramsey be used somewhere free safety? Will he play some in the slot? There's indications that the Steelers could use him in a variety of different ways. Right now, I would think Juan Thornhill would be given a chance to step up. and replaced Micah Fitzpatrick.
The Steelers signed him in free agency after he played in Cleveland last year. Was a former high pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. Yeah, I mean, I think with Minka Fitzpatrick, he was making a lot of money this year. With a gonna count about $22 million or more against the salary cap, and he really has one interception in two years. went twenty five straight games without one until snapping that last year.
And for a guy they're paying that kind of money and expect to make splashy plays in the secondary, he just didn't do that for whatever reason. And there were indications that there was a lot of communications breakdowns they talked about last year. And I think he might have been at the epicenter of that. Moving forward, you think about one big star that there are rumors about him potentially moving on. It's TJ Watt.
He's making a little more than twenty mil. We see some of the best edge rushers in the game are getting thirty five to forty. How do you think his contractual situation is going to play out? With today's trade happening. I say nothing's off the table now.
I mean, I would have thought before this there's no way they're trading him. But if they get blown away by an offer, maybe they do. Maybe they do, you know. part ways with TJ Watt. I I think that they have an offer out there to him.
The fact he hasn't accepted it shows that what he thinks of that offer. I think it's going to come down to whether he shows up to start training camp. Or he does a hold in like he did a couple years ago when they had to reach a new deal. I think the Steelers want to do everything they can to keep him with this team, especially add him to this defense now that they've added Jalen Ramsey. They have a number, and the Steelers have been pretty much known to, you know, they've got a way of doing business.
They have a value on each position. And unless they can get creative and make it work, I wouldn't be surprised if you see. Yeah, yeah. I don't think it will happen, but based off what happened today, nothing would surprise me. Wow.
I mean, you you think about TJ Watt and you think about the Steelers. He's the type of guy that you would expect to kind of finish his career start and finish with the Steelers. You think it's a possibility. Wouldn't there be a massive fan revolt? Why haven't they come to terms on the deal?
Well, there might be a fan revolt, but there's another segment that will tell you, quick to tell you, yeah, they've had TJ Watt for his entire career. He hasn't won a playoff game since he's been here. And in the playoff games that he's played in, He was hurt for one against Buffalo a couple years ago. He really hasn't done much. He hasn't been a standout player for them.
Yeah, he's put up great regular season stats. Wanted Defensive Player of the Year. Wood probably should have had two. But um yeah, it come the postseason he really hasn't done all that much. And I think the fan base wants to see playoff wins as well.
And if Healing TJ Watt is a way to make that happen. I think they would sign up for that any day. But then that would create a giant hole at outside linebacker on this defense, though. Yeah, Joe Rutter is here from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Uh w what other moves can the Steelers make?
I mean, outside of moving TJ Watt, this is uh pretty much going to be the roster, no? I would think so. I still think there's a possibility they maybe try to add a veteran receiver. The room before the start of Trading Camp in three weeks. I think that's still, even though they got John Du Smith now, I think they still maybe want to try to add another piece there.
So that wouldn't be surprising. There's not much left out there right now in free agency. But you know, they might kick the can on somebody like Akina Allen. You never know. You know, and look for anybody that's had any history in Arthur Smith's offense.
You'd like to see him bring back. guys that he's worked with before.
So that that could always be a possibility. But I think right now they're pretty much set. They've turned over a lot of this team. They only have four players left on offense. The playoff loss at Baltimore that played that will return to the same position they finished last season at.
So that's a lot of turnover right there, and they've gotten rid of four people on defense. They've remade a lot of this team.
Now they've got to put it together and see what happens to camp. What are your thoughts on l let's say TJ Watt is on the steam. What are your expectations for next year? Have they moved themselves into that kind of top tier of the AFC? Are they still kind of in that second run?
I think they're probably still in the second rung. I mean, it depends on what Aaron Rodgers has left and how he can stay healthy the entire season. They've got some good young playmakers. They've drafted running back and. In the third round, they've got Jalen Warren taking on a bigger role, but they do have kind of a void behind DK Metcalf and receiver.
I mean, they've got some good tight ends, but I think this offense is still going to be challenging score points. At least early in the season, while it all comes together, they still probably have the third best quarterback in their division.
So that doesn't help. But I think they're better now than they were at the end of last season. And they made the playoffs and got you know had to go on the road then. I think they want to get a home playoff game. I think they're better positioned to do that this year, but they play in a very tough division, so it's not going to be easy.
How long before people start calling for Mike Tomlin to get the boot? It seems like a a ritual at this point in time, Joe.
Well, he's sided for three more years three years. I think it's through 2027. The Steelers don't like paid coaches not to be here, not to do their jobs.
So I think he'll be here to finish that out unless they come to some kind of mutual parting of the ways. But they have really made steps to really push their chips to the center of the table for this season. And there's going to be a lot of pressure on Mike Tullman if they don't get to the playoffs, winning game or two, get to the conference championship. He stuck his neck out and they've gotten a lot of guys he wanted to get like Aaron Rodgers. And if it still won't work, you know, that that's where the blame squarely falls.
And we're going to see how this this plays out. The Steelers certainly going to be a team to watch this upcoming season, and they got a big one to open up the year. Aaron Rodgers takes on his former team, the New York Jets. Hey, Joe, thank you so much for the time. Please tell everybody where they can follow you and your work.
Yeah, the Tribune Review in Pittsburgh, social media at X slash Twitter. It's at rib. Joe Rutter, R-U-T-T-E-R. Hey, Joe, thank you so much. We'll catch you on down the line, okay?
Sounds good, anytime. No doubt about it. It's the J.R. Sport Brief Show here with you coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network. This portion of the show is brought to you by Wesley Financial.
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A lot of big moves going on in the NBA. We talked about the moves that the Steelers have made earlier today. When we come back on the other side of the break, we're going to break down some of these moves. Like Like the Nuggets picking up a piece that helped them win a championship a few years ago. We also talked about that trade between the Nets and the Nuggets.
There's a lot going on in the NBA. There's a lot going on in the world of sports. And right now, to get a news flash on it all, here he is, Rich Ackerman. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief. It is the JR Sport Brief Show here with you coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network.
Hey, thank you so much to Joe Rutter for joining us from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review to talk about these moves made by the Steelers as they try to. Gopher broke. You got Aaron Rodgers in the building, you might as well. Try to go for it, bringing in Jalen Ramsey earlier today, as well as Jonu Smith to help out on the run blocking as well as the receiving, helping out Aaron Rodgers. If you missed that conversation with Joe, go ahead and hit rewind on the Fore Odyssey app.
I need you to thank O'Reilly Auto Parts for all of your car care needs, get guaranteed low prices, and excellent customer service from the professional parts people at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Auto parts.
Okay, as we continue on with the show, we have more and more deals that continue to come through the pipe as it relates to NBA-free agency. We talked about LeBron James opting into his contract, $52 million. We talked about James Harden. In his new two year deal To stick around with the Los Angeles Clippers. Those are two big names, those are two future Hall of Famers.
We've had some other names, not Hall of Famers, but some role players who have decided to make some moves as well. First of all, we just learned not too long ago that Clint Capella. is on his way back To the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets continue to add more and more talent. They've also picked up Dorian Finney Smith from the Los Angeles Lakers.
And so the Rockets add some size, depth, rebounding, shot blocking by bringing in Clint Capella. This man is a double-double, a lot threat, and he's going to definitely help out the Houston Rockets. The Rockets are looking good if they can go out and be healthy throughout the course of the season. Also, This man has bounced around to God only knows how many teams. The German, Dennis Schroeder, no, not Dirk Nowitzki.
Dennis Schroeder is now going to be a member. Of the Sacramento Kings. We know that they moved on from DeAron Fox last year, sending him over onto the San Antonio Spurs. And so Dennis Schroeder. is gonna be on with uh I don't know what it feels like this is his 15th.
NBA team. Bacho off the top of your head. How many teams do you think he's played for? It's Seven. Seven.
Okay, let's count them. Atlanta Hawks Oklahoma City Thunder Lakers. He won a championship there. Boston Celtics. Houston Rockets Back to the Lakers.
Toronto Raptors. Brooklyn Nets Golden State Warriors DETROIT PISTONS and now the Sacramento Kings. That will make ten teams for Dennis Schroeder. He's thirty he's gonna turn thirty two years old. That's ten teams.
I feel like he's on a different he is such a a commodity. Because the guy can score? He can pass And he He just, he's an efficient, no, he's not efficient. He's an easy guy to move. He's not a guy that people look at and go, Oh my God, we gotta lock up Dennis Schroeder.
He's a viable starter in the NBA. Damn, 10 teams. You said seven, right? I completely forgot the Raptors and Thunder era of Dennis Schroeder. It's just been.
So many different teams. When you think about like I said, he's going to be thirty two years old in September. He's not he's not done. We don't know how much longer he's going to last. He's not the biggest guy in the world.
But I think on these one-year contracts type situations, Dennis Schroeder. He might tackle in three or four more teams. And then the fact that he doesn't get these long-term deals makes him. Makes them easy to move. I mean, if you recall with the Los Angeles Lakers He turned down a long-term contract.
And he's pretty much been, you know, everybody's rent-a-basketball player. For the past several years. And so God only knows. He'll probably be sticking around with the Sacramento Kings, but if a team's point guard goes down, It's almost a matter of who you're going to call. You're going to reach out to the Kings and try to get your hands on Dennis Schroeder.
Ten teams are now with the Kings. Also, some players that have moved. Speaking of the Golden State Warriors, Kavan Looney This is gonna be weird. No longer a member of the Golden State Warriors, Kevon Looney is now a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. I did tell you that there was a man who decided to return to the team he won a championship with, Bruce Brown.
is now going back To the Denver Nuggets. That's going to be a lot of fun. Andre Drummond is sticking around here. With the Philadelphia Seventy Sixers. Karis Lavert is on his way to the Detroit Pistons, a two-year $29 million contract.
He was just traded to the Atlanta Hawks earlier this year.
Some other players that are going to be moving, D'Angelo Russell. Going from the Nets, a two-year, $13 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks to hold things down while Kyrie is out. Luke Cornett. He's going to take his shooting and rebounding. To the San Antonio Spurs.
Not a bad move there. Bobby Porter's re-upping with the Milwaukee Bucks. I just told you about Schroeder. Ty Jerome. Putting up buckets for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He's now going to be putting up buckets for the Memphis Grizzlies. Dorian Finney Smith moving to the Rockets. Fred Van Vliet sticking around. Uh yeah, there's a lot going on with the Rockets. We'll have a Danielle Lerner here with us.
in about thirty five, forty minutes. Danielle is going to be joining us from the Houston Chronicle. They've added some players that are they're they're they're going to help them move closer towards the championship. If They're healthy. And then we have a bunch of other players who are not moving around, not going anywhere.
LeBron James sticking around in LA, picking up his $52 million option. James Harden, I told you about two years, $81 million. We learned that Michael Porter Jr. and Cam Johnson are going to be switching places between Denver and Brooklyn. Julius Randle.
Three-year $100 million contract to stick it out in Minnesota. I don't know how much Minnesota is going to change. I don't think so. Fred Van Vliet. I told you sticking around.
Nas Reid, five years, one hundred twenty five million dollars. And then we have some other players who are restricted free agents or guys who have been released. How about DeAndre Ayton? contract buy out. with the Portland Trailblazers.
Does he end up with the Los Angeles Lakers? Maybe, possibly. Jonathan Kuminga is a restricted free agent. Oh, the Golden State Warriors is gonna pretty much match a deal that he gets? I I think not.
Nikhil Alexander Walker, also with Minnesota, is an unrestricted free agent. There's a lot going on all over the league. No huge names, no big names. And then we also learn that Giannis Atela Kumpo is open to leaving. The Milwaukee Box, which is Sounds about right.
There's no big shocks, no big surprises here. But we're not in the free agency of. XYZ player or gigantic stars are are eligible to leave and move. And I think the way that the current CBA is set up, it pretty much encourages players to kinda stick around with the team that you're on. opt in and keep that contract going.
and then worse comes to worse if you want to move on. Ask for trade I I think that's that's where we are. There is no big name. In free agency. The only big thing that might happen is Giannis says, I want out.
Bacher, out of all the moves that we've discussed, out of all the moves that I've mentioned, is there anyone that catches your eye or your attention? I just love what the Rockets are doing with Doreen Finny Smith and Clint Capella. They're just adding depth. that they need. And I don't Not to hate on Sengoon or Jabari Smith, but these are guys.
Dorian Finney Smith and Clint Capella, who've won and been in playoff games consistently.
So I think it's just. Good for the overall. Veteran Mentornship of the Rockets. Yeah, they're really adding. I mean, the problem and issue last year was.
Like you said, veteran leadership and going to the playoffs not knowing what the hell was going on and and and inconsistency. Um Jalen Green is he's barely old enough to drink. And he might develop into being an NBA All-Star, but as it stands right now, some days he's here. And some days he's not.
Some days he can just completely go missing in action. And his efficiency is uh And so, when you swap him out and you bring in one of the best scorers, one of the most efficient players ever, and Kevin Durant, it's night and day just in that regard. But to bring on a clink capella, as you mentioned, and Also, Dorian Finney Smith will go out there and shoot. This is a good team. The Houston Rockets are going to be a fun team.
And if they are healthy, if they are together, if they can get out there onto the court. They they they're gonna do some damage, man. Sangoon, I don't think, has peaked as to who he is as a player. Amen Thompson has certainly not peaked as to who he is as a player. Tari Eason as well has not peaked.
This is a good mix. I mean, if I'm a Rockets fan, I am thrilled. with what we have. I am absolutely taking what we have and I'm running with it. And then, Bacha, we even have another move that was just announced, huh?
Yeah, Brooke Lopez, two-year $18 million deal with the. Oh, with the clippers, I can't read. Wow. Uh yeah, Brooke Lopez just went to the Clippers two years eighteen. Wow, now that's a disappointment to look at Brooke Lopez making his way out to the Los Angeles Clippers of all teams.
You would have thought that being on the Lakers would have made a little bit more sense. His ability to get up and down the court, knock down threes, but maybe the fact that he's not a rim runner wouldn't necessarily appease the Los Angeles Lakers. But Brian Windhorse did say this: Brooke Lopez is near the top of the list for the Lakers free agent targets. And um That ain't happening. Brooke Lopez on his way to the Los Angeles Clippers to play with James Harden.
The Zubach, the You think about Kawhi Leonard, who's also there, Norman Powell.
Okay. The Clippers might be just as good as the Los Angeles Lakers. But these are two teams that I think are just good enough to get to the playoffs, not good enough to do anything. A little surprising, Brooke Lopez from California goes back, but to play for the Clippers I mean, there's certain things I I wouldn't expect to hear, and now you think about Yannis Atela Kumpo. I mean, he's missing a big piece that was with him when they won a title and a championship.
So it'll be real interesting to see. What the Milwaukee Bucks do or who they add. Seven-footers who can knock down threes, rebound, and block shots. They don't grow on trees, even if Brooke Lopez is a little bit longer. In the tooth, Brooke Lopez has to be about thirty-seven, thirty-eight years old right now.
He just turned thirty-seven, so. Wild stuff. Brooke Lopez to the Clippers, two years, eighteen million. Dollars.
Some wild stuff. It's the JR Sport Re Show here with you, coast to coast, on the Infinity Sports Network. We come back, we'll talk more free agency. We have Danielle Lerner joining us from the Houston Chronicle. And then I want to talk to you about a player.
He might have been betting on himself. For the wrong reasons. It's the JR Sport reshow of the Infinity Sports Network. Yeah.
