Everyone made the same joke after Patrick Mahomes got a haircut
Patrick Mahomes got his hair cut, and that led to fans all making the same joke.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback decided to cut his hair not long after his team’s loss in the Super Bowl. Mahomes long curls on top and mohawk are gone and have been replaced by a shorter cut.
It’s certainly Mahomes’ prerogative to get a haircut, and of course there is nothing wrong with it. But the funny thing is what this made fans think of: how it might impact Dylan Raiola.
Raiola is a quarterback at Nebraska, and he loves Mahomes. He models his game, his style, and his mannerisms after the Chiefs quarterback. He looks almost identical to Mahomes at times, and that’s not an accident.
Fans all joked that Raiola would be heading to the barbershop immediately to cut his hair too.
How long before Raiola gets his hair cut too?
As for Mahomes, he had talked in the 2023 Netflix show “Quarterback” about wanting to get his hair cut.
“This is my last year with the hair,” Mahomes said in 2023. “The hair is gone next year. I’m going different hairstyle (than) this year. … I almost did it this year, but Head and Shoulders would have been mad. I can’t have two kids and a Mohawk. … Cause I gotta be a dad at some point, know what I mean? Imagine being 40 years old with this haircut. I mean, come on.”
Mahomes kept the hair for a year longer than he said he would, but now it’s gone. Raiola’s hair may be next.
Georgia closer had the most disrespectful gesture
Georgia closer Brian Curley made the wackiest, most disrespectful move right before ending his team’s game on Tuesday night.
Georgia beat Kennesaw State 6-4 in a midweek clash at Kelly Field in Marietta, Ga., to improve to 4-1 on the season. The Bulldogs fell behind 4-0 but rallied back and scored two in the top of the 9th to take the lead.
Georgia closer Curley entered the 9th and put two runners on, one on a walk and the other on a fielder’s choice. He had runners on first and second with two outs facing cleanup hitter Cam Suto.
Curley had Suto 0-2 and was pitching from a stretch to hold the runners. Curley looked over at second base and then gave a wild tongue wag before delivering a breaking ball that froze Suto for a game-ending strikeout.
That was wild.
As if wagging his tongue at second base wasn’t enough, Curley also threw off his glove after the game ended and held out his hands to his teammates in the dugout. He was doing an arms out “are you not entertained?” type of gesture.
Curley is making a name for himself just a few games into the season. The VCU transfer drew attention over the weekend when he threw 100 mph despite using a weird pitching windup.
Yes, Brian, we are very entertained.
Rich Paul makes honest admission about Luka Doncic trade
Basketball agent Rich Paul has opened up about the Luka Doncic trade that has directly altered the trajectory of two of his biggest clients.
Paul, whose Klutch agency represents both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, appeared on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast during the All-Star break. Paul was asked to weigh in on the trade that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davis.
The 44-year-old agent admitted that the deal was a rare moment wherein he was completely blindsided. But he qualified that by stating he was better off not knowing to ensure the trade would go through.
“99.9% of the time, I’m going to know what’s going on,” Paul told podcast host Gilbert Arenas and company. “The one time I didn’t was the one time we all didn’t, per se, know what was going on. It was a shock to everybody. … But you don’t move mountains with everybody knowing. You can’t. And so, I’m glad I didn’t know … because it probably wouldn’t have happened if you did know.”
Paul added that he has always known about Mavericks GM Nico Harrison’s affinity for Davis, which made the latter landing in Dallas unsurprising. The timing of it all was what stunned Paul the most.
With his star-studded pool of clients, Paul has built up significant influence across the NBA. Last year, the man reportedly blocked a potential LeBron trade that would have also had the basketball world buzzing. But even a man of his stature did not hear a peep about the Doncic deal.
With LeBron getting to form a bond with Luka in Los Angeles, it’s obvious that Paul is not upset about being kept in the dark.
Everyone made the same Bill Self joke after BYU embarrassed Kansas
Bill Self became the butt of the joke Tuesday after No. 24 Kansas got completely outplayed by BYU at Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.
Self’s Jayhawks never led throughout the 91-57 beatdown they received from the Cougars. A Mawot Mag three-pointer gave BYU a double-digit advantage late in the first half. The lead ballooned to 20 at halftime and neared 40 toward the end of the game.
Many fans on X joked that Self’s firing is imminent after allowing his squad to get embarrassed by a BYU that entered Tuesday’s contest with an identical 17-8 record.
The 38-point margin of defeat was Kansas’ largest as a ranked opponent against an unranked opponent in program history.
The Jayhawks have struggled of late in conference play, losing five of its last eight games against Big 12 opponents.
Utah has not been a friendly place for Self over the past full year. Last March, Gonzaga blew Kansas out of the NCAA Tournament 89-68 at the Utah Jazz’s Delta Center in Salt Lake City. After that game, Self infamously admitted that he had already been “thinking about next season” at that point.
Self’s “next season” is here, and it has hardly looked any better for the Kansas coach.
Alex Bregman speaks out amid third base controversy with Rafael Devers
Alex Bregman is not letting himself get bogged down by the Boston Red Sox’s ongoing dilemma at third base.
Since the Red Sox signed Bregman last week, Boston’s longtime third baseman Rafael Devers has been adamant that he does not plan to cede the position to his new teammate.
Bregman spoke to reporters Tuesday as the Red Sox prepared for spring training at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla. When asked about Boston’s positional uncertainty at third base, Bregman expressed his excitement to play alongside Devers. Bregman also added that he’ll leave the decision up to manager Alex Cora.
“I’m super excited to just be his teammate,” Bregman told reporters, via WEEI’s Rob Bradford. “He’s a great player. I think everybody in this clubhouse is worried about winning. And whatever it takes to help the team win, that’s all I’m focused on. I’ll player wherever [Alex Cora] tells me to play.”
Bregman is widely considered to be better defensively than Devers. But Devers has maintained that the team had promised him the position when he signed a huge contract extension with the Red Sox two years ago.
Cora, however, did not sound too bothered about potentially breaking the promise Devers received if it’s for the good of the team.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes bold midseason change
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can now add “agent” to his growing list of accolades.
The Thunder star plans to serve as his own agent going forward, according to independent reporter Chris Haynes. Gilgeous-Alexander had previously been represented by Wasserman. Shai will reportedly be hiring different representation for “marketing and all off-the-court ventures.”
SGA is currently in the third year of a 5-year, $172 million extension he signed back in 2021. This offseason, the 3-time All-Star is eligible to sign a 4-year extension worth nearly $300 million.
The NBA Players Association currently has a 4% cap on how much commission agents can make from their clients’ contracts. Had he kept an agent, his representation would have been in line to receive as much as $12 million.
With Gilgeous-Alexander playing like a perennial MVP candidate over the last two seasons, it’s hard to imagine the Thunder giving their 26-year-old star anything but a supermax contract. SGA seems to feel the same way. Through 53 games, Shai has averaged an NBA-best 32.5 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.0 blocks for the 44-10 Thunder.
Gilgeous-Alexander is not the first high-profile athlete who opted for the self-representation route. Fellow NBA star Joel Embiid and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson have also ditched the traditional agencies to handle contract discussions on their own.
Paige Bueckers was so upset about doing a postgame interview
Paige Bueckers thought she was clear of the spotlight on Sunday, but she thought wrong as a viral video has shown us.
Bueckers scored 12 points and added 7 rebounds and 10 assists as her UConn Huskies beat South Carolina 87-58 on the road Sunday to end the Gamecocks’ 71-game home winning streak. The win was a big one for UConn, so of course ESPN was going to ask for a Huskies figure to do a postgame interview. Bueckers just didn’t want it to be her.
A great video shows UConn’s players clearing off the floor after the game. Bueckers was running off until being called by ESPN’s Holly Rowe to do an interview.
Bueckers immediately tossed her head back in annoyance and put her hands over her head before turning around to meet Rowe. Rowe could be seen saying “I’m sorry” to Bueckers, who did cooperate.
The only thing missing from that video was Bueckers giving a “mommmm” in a complaining voice.
Bueckers was obvsiouly ready to head to the locker room. It’s also possible she felt that teammate Azzi Fudd, who scored 28 points, deserved to be interviewed more.
At least Bueckers’ halftime interview with Rowe went better:
Former Mavs lottery pick eyeing NBA comeback
Former Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. is hoping to make his way back to the NBA.
Smith Jr. signed with Real Madrid in January. According to independent reporter Chris Haynes, Smith has already decided to part ways with the Spanish team with an eye toward the NBA.
Smith reportedly had a difficult time adapting to the European game. While Real Madrid was said to be satisfied with Smith’s effort and attitude, the 27-year-old was not in the proper physical shape to contribute to one of Europe’s best squads midseason. He had not played professionally for almost a year when he signed with Los Blancos.
The 6’2″ point guard played in two EuroLeague games for Madrid, scoring a combined eight points on 3/6 shooting. Smith was later left off the active roster for Real Madrid’s recent Spanish Copa del Rey tournament run despite having a clean bill of health.
The Mavericks drafted Smith 9th overall in 2017. The explosive guard was initially viewed as a potential core piece with Dallas entering the twilight years of Dirk Nowitzki’s career. The following year marked the arrival of former Real Madrid star Luka Doncic. Smith’s questionable fit with Doncic pushed the team to include the former in the deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas.
After stints with the Mavericks and Knicks, Smith bounced around from team to team without finding a permanent home. He last played for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2023-24 season, averaging 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 56 games played.
New report casts uncertainty on Ja Morant’s future with Grizzlies
After a top star from the 2018 NBA Draft was just traded in Luka Doncic, a top star from the 2019 NBA Draft could be the next one on the move.
In an appearance this week on the “Real Ones” podcast, Howard Beck of The Ringer indicated that the Memphis Grizzlies could end up trading away their franchise player Ja Morant this offseason. Beck cited intel from an anonymous NBA executive.
“I’m constantly checking in with executives around trade deadline,” said Beck, per The Memphis Commercial Appeal. “And in this league, you are always, always, always on the lookout for who’s the next wave of stars that are going to get dealt, right? We just saw the shock of all shocks with the Luka deal. We saw Jimmy Butler. There’s already whispers once again about Giannis [Antetokounmpo].
“And somebody out of the blue said, ‘Keep an eye on Ja this summer,’” Beck added.
The 25-year-old Morant is the face of the Grizzlies right now and has already made multiple All-Star teams as well as an All-NBA team. But he is currently in the midst of a down season for Memphis, averaging 20.7 points per game (his fewest since 2020-21) on very mediocre 45/32/81 shooting splits.
On top of that, Morant is often injured (appearing in just 32 of 54 games for the Grizzlies this year), and his off-court maturity problems are very well-documented at this point. Morant’s reckless style of play is also a source of major concern, including among some top basketball voices.
With Memphis still thriving this season at 36-18 (No. 2 in the West) despite a reduced contribution from Morant, an eventual breakup might not be the craziest idea in the world. Morant is still under contract for three more seasons after this one after agreeing to a five-year, $197.2 million rookie extension with the Grizzlies back in 2022. But if Memphis decides that Morant is not worth the continued risk due to his health, his maturity, and his other various issues, they might indeed be wise to explore the possibility of opening up the bidding process for him.
Report reveals what NFL did with discarded Chiefs 3-peat merch
The NFL found a way to put its wasted Kansas City Chiefs three-peat merchandise to good use.
The Chiefs were considered favorites to beat the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl 59, which would have been Kansas City’s third straight championship. But as every NFL fan knows by now, the Eagles dominated the Chiefs in a 40-22 thrashing at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La.
Naturally, the NFL had championship merchandise on stand-by for both the Eagles and the Chiefs. With Kansas City falling short in its pursuit of a historic Super Bowl three-peat, their stockpile of shirts, caps, hoodies, towels, and other gear was understandably not made available to the public.
The Chiefs’ three-peat gear has reportedly been sent to five countries in need: Ukraine, Mongolia, Georgia, Estonia, and Latvia.
The NFL has worked closely with nonprofit organization Good360 for a decade to help repurpose the losing Super Bowl team’s merchandise.
The loser’s apparel is “closely guarded” while being transported to a central location handled by Good360. The total number of pieces is said to be around “a few thousand.”
Don’t be surprised to see someone rocking a Chiefs three-peat sweater the next time you vacation in Estonia.
The Chiefs and their fans were not the only ones disappointed that the three-peat clothing never hit the shelves. One NBA icon stood to receive a pretty huge windfall had Kansas City pulled off the win.
Aaron Rodgers could be backup plan for recent Super Bowl champion?
If they are unable to keep their 37-year-old starting quarterback, one NFL team could be turning to 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers.
Speaking this week on the latest episode of his self-titled podcast, Adam Schefter of ESPN said that the Los Angeles Rams might be interested in signing the former MVP QB Rodgers if they cannot finalize an agreement to bring back starter Matthew Stafford.
“If the Rams [can’t] get a deal done with Stafford, if they decide to trade him, a lot of if’s involved, then Aaron Rodgers, in my mind, would be thrilled with the idea of going to Los Angeles,” said Schefter. “The Rams could probably get him for a lower cost than it would be for Matthew Stafford. They’d get draft-pick compensation for Stafford … If you can’t [bring back Stafford] … Aaron Rodgers, to me, would come into play in L.A.”
The two-time Pro Bowler Stafford, who has been the Rams quarterback since 2021 and led them to a Super Bowl victory in his very first season with them, recently indicated his formal desire to play another NFL season. But the Rams would almost certainly have to rework the contract of Stafford, who is signed for a non-guaranteed $23 million in 2025, thereby opening up the possibility (however remote) of a divorce between the two sides.
As for Rodgers, he will not be back with the Jets next season as the team has decided to move on from him after two forgettable years. Rodgers has also recently been linked to a prominent team in the AFC.
Schefter also said in his remarks that the Rams’ “number one” priority remains to agree to terms on a new contract with Stafford. But if the two sides, for whatever reason, are unable to strike a deal, the 10-time Pro Bowler Rodgers appears to be lurking as a potential Plan B for Sean McVay and the Rams.
Paul Skenes threw the most unfair pitch to his teammate
Paul Skenes showed one of his Pittsburgh Pirates teammates why it’s much better to be on his team than to be against him.
Pitchers and catchers began reporting to spring training last week, and Skenes got in some work on Saturday throwing some live batting practice against hitters. One of his Pirates teammates, Adam Frazier, decided he wanted to see how he would do against Skenes and stepped in to face the reigning NL Rookie of the Year.
The third pitch from Skenes to Frazier was so unfair. From the view behind home plate, you can see just how much the pitch moved. It started off going towards the middle of the plate and then just tailed away rapidly, like an inverse slider.
Getting that amount of run on your pitch is crazy, especially when you regularly throw 100 mph like Skenes.
You can see the full video from Frazier facing Skenes in the bottom part of that X post. Frazier worked the count full in his at-bat. He also gave a cool quote about why he wanted to take on the Pirates ace.
“I didn’t have to. I kind of wanted to. … Get in there and see what it’s like. It’s facing one of the premier arms in the game. That’s what you want, not just in practice but in games. He’s going to bring out the best of everyone,” Frazier said, via Pirates reporter Kevin Gorman.
Skenes, 22, was the No. 1 overall pick by the Pirates in the 2023 draft. He made his MLB debut last season and went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings. Despite only having limited pitching opportunities since he began the season in the minor leagues, Skenes still finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting. He finished behind Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler.
With a full season ahead of him, Skenes is expected to contend for the Cy Young Award, if not win it. He’s got some nasty stuff as Frazier found out first-hand. And what’s scarier is that Skenes is working on some new pitches too.
What’s the message to opposing hitters? Good luck.
Doug Gottlieb fires back at LeBron James’ shade
Doug Gottlieb is not letting LeBron James get the last word on him.
The Los Angeles Lakers star James made headlines over the long weekend with his petty post aimed at the longtime sports radio host Gottlieb, who also now serves as the head basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Gottlieb has had an absolutely abysmal first season in Green Bay, posting a 3-24 record and recently going through a three-month stretch without a single win.
In a post to his X page on Monday, James laughed at Gottlieb over his poor coaching performance.
While calling in to FOX Sports this week, Gottlieb returned fire at James and called out the four-time NBA champion for “punching down.”
“I don’t think it speaks well for somebody who, like, don’t you have the day off?” said Gottlieb of James, per Awful Announcing. “Don’t you have better things to do? My response is: Colin [Cowherd] told me a long time ago, ‘Don’t punch down. Always punch up.’ So me talking trash to him would technically be punching up. And [for] him, it’s punching down.
“So I don’t know. I guess pettiness and insecurity aren’t limited to just people who aren’t super successful in their field,” Gottlieb added. “I guess that would be my response. It just doesn’t make any sense. Why on a Presidents’ Day Monday, when you have the day off, are you worried about me? I’m not really sure.”
The context here is that Gottlieb, like many other sports pundits, has been openly critical of James for pigeonholing his son Bronny into an NBA roster spot with the Lakers. Over the last year or so, Gottlieb has called James a “bad basketball parent” and has even expressed skepticism that Bronny could hypothetically start for Gottlieb’s Horizon League team in Green Bay (you can read more about Gottlieb’s criticisms here).
That said though, Gottlieb is right that James should (presumably) have much better things to do than to take petty swipes at him on X dot com. In choosing to engage with Gottlieb’s comments, James actually gave them far more legitimacy and publicity than they otherwise would have gotten if he had just left them alone in the first place.
Dez Bryant takes another shot at Jason Garrett in deleted message
Dez Bryant really does not like Jason Garrett.
We’ve long known that Bryant was not a fan of his former Dallas Cowboys head coach. But he confirmed that even more with some social media activity on Monday. Bryant was sharing some introspective thoughts via his X profile. He expressed that he doesn’t wish ill on anyone he knows.
“With all the trauma I’ve experienced growing up, it’s hard for me to see anybody I know fail.. if we are on good terms or bad, regardless of the relationship. Life is hard, and I just don’t wish bad on anyone; it’s not in my soul. If you are a hustler go get it!” Bryant wrote.
That is a nice and positive message from Bryant. But it wasn’t all kumbaya with him.
Bryant wrote a follow-up post indicating that his sentiment that he doesn’t want anyone he knows to fail does not apply to Jason Garrett. That post has since been deleted.
Bryant has not been shy about expressing his frustration with Garrett over the years. Bryant played in the NFL from 2010-2017, missed the 2018 due to a torn Achilles tendon, and then returned with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020. He made three Pro Bowls during his time with Dallas and led the NFL in touchdown catches in 2014.
Garrett was the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator during Bryant’s rookie season in 2010 and then took over as the team’s interim head coach after Wade Phillips was fired. Garrett held on to the head coach role for the rest of Bryant’s career with the team until being fired after the 2019 season. Bryant seems to feel that Garrett both held him back and was responsible for the Cowboys parting ways with him.
Bryant blasted Garrett after the coach was finally fired by Dallas. Then when Garrett was fired after one season with the New York Giants, Bryant again celebrated. It’s not too surprising that Bryant again took a shot at Garrett on Monday. At least Dez seems to be showing some growth by deleting the post.
Kyle Kuzma announces major personal news
After winning a ring with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Kyle Kuzma is now picking up another one.
The Milwaukee Bucks forward Kuzma announced in a joint Instagram post with his longtime girlfriend Winnie Harlow on Tuesday that they are now engaged. Included in the post were ring pictures as well as footage from Kuzma’s recent proposal to Harlow.
Vogue reports that the proposal took place at Turks and Caicos, where the couple had previously vacationed together years ago.
Kuzma, 29, and Harlow, 30, have been in a relationship since 2020. They were even spotted together on a date during the NBA bubble in Orlando. Harlow, who is of Canadian descent, is a famous model as well as a spokesperson for the skin condition vitiligo.
The former first-round draft pick Kuzma, now an eight-year NBA veteran, was just acquired by the Bucks in a deal with the Washington Wizards ahead of the NBA trade deadline earlier this month (during which Milwaukee sent fellow forward Khris Middleton back to Washington). Kuzma was averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game with the Wizards this season before being traded and is now averaging 16.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game over his first four appearances for the Bucks (taking on a sizable role in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury absence).
Harlow and Kuzma have been in the headlines over the years for their funny and wholesome relationship with one another. Now they are making it an official engagement and getting ready to plan their wedding together.
Andy Dalton gets new 2-year contract
Andy Dalton is getting a new two-year contract to return to the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers announced on Tuesday that Dalton has re-signed with the team. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dalton is getting $6 million guaranteed on his two-year, $8 million deal. Schefter says the deal has a maximum value of $10 million.
The Panthers seemed to have brought back Dalton in part because of his positive relationship with quarterback Bryce Young.
“Me and Andy are super close,” Young said via the Panthers’ website. “From when I first got here, just being able to talk with him through things, him having perspective on a situation that I had never been a part of, I was always leaning on him, always having conversations and just from a day-to-day basis.
“You can’t add up the hours we spend here; we’re here every single day, and just being able to have someone that you can bounce stuff off of, ask how you see things. Whether it’s Xs and Os or it’s philosophical things or stuff outside of football or somewhere nuanced in between. He is always there, just trying to help me out. And again, having a guy like that who really does it for the right reasons and wants to help, that’s super rare. So I’m super grateful for that.”
Dalton, 37, has spent the last two seasons with the Panthers. He appeared in six games and made five starts with the Panthers last season, and passed for 989 yards, 7 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. The Panthers went 1-4 in his starts.
Most importantly, the Panthers showed improvement under Young. The team went 2-1 in its last three games. Young passed for 7 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in that span and ran for 3 TDs. Carolina is intent on bringing back its quarterback room for 2025.
Pro Bowl RB secures rare win over NFL with fine rescinded
Former Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon secured a rare win over the NFL in the case of his appeal of a fine.
Mixon complained via social media in January that he had been fined by the NFL for something he never even said. The fine was for $25,000 and it was given to Mixon for criticizing the officials. The problem is the NFL screwed up when issuing the fine and cited something Mixon hadn’t even said. The NFL later tried to cover its tracks in a re-issued fine letter, but something still felt off since Mixon’s comments were not bad.
“Everybody know how it is playing up here. You can never leave it into the refs’ hands. The whole world see, man,” Mixon said after his Houston Texans lost 23-14 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs on January 18.
The league had initially attributed some comments made by former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh on social media to Mixon. Mixon appealed his fine and won his case.
On Tuesday, a letter circulated via social media showing that the NFL had rescinded its fine to Mixon.
“During the appeal hearing, you stated what you meant by your statements referring to the officials. As you know, statements can be interpreted differently by every individual and it seems like you clearly understand the weight and detriment of public criticism towards officials can be, given how impactful your platform is as a player, which I appreciate,” NFL hearing officer Chris Palmer wrote.
“Integrity of the game and its officials is the responsibility of everyone involved in the NFL. After reviewing the totality of the evidence, I find that you did not necessarily publicly criticize the officials. Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, the NFL will rescine the $25,000 fine amount.”
It feels like some measure of justice was served considering Mixon never should have been fined in the first place. We know that former Texans star JJ Watt will be happy about this outcome.
Mixon just finished his first season with Houston after spending seven with the Cincinnati Bengals. He had 1,016 rushing yards with 11 rushing touchdowns and 36 catches for 309 receiving yards. And now he’s free of the $25,000 fine.
Ex-Lakers playoff hero signs deal with 76ers
Andre Drummond is no longer the only former Los Angeles Laker on the Philadelphia 76ers roster.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Tuesday that the 76ers have signed veteran wing Lonnie Walker IV. Walker is getting a two-year, $3 million contract from the team, Charania adds.
The 26-year-old Walker, a former first-round pick by the San Antonio Spurs in 2018 (No. 18 overall), had been playing this season in Lithuania for Zalgiris Kaunas of the EuroLeague. But he had an NBA buyout clause in his contract with Zalgiris, which was set to expire on Tuesday.
Philadelphia is currently down guard Eric Gordon due to a wrist injury. As a result, they have decided to trigger Walker’s buyout at the last minute.
Walker already played during his NBA career for the Spurs, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Brooklyn Nets. He ended up as a playoff hero for the Lakers specifically, singlehandedly winning them a playoff game during their run to the Western Conference Finals in 2023. During his last NBA stop with the Nets in 2023-24, Walker averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 17.4 minutes per game off the bench. Overall in his six-year NBA career, Walker holds similar averages of 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 20.3 minutes per game.
The 76ers have been a massive disappointment this season at 20-34, but because of how top-heavy the Eastern Conference is, they are (somewhat miraculously) only 1.5 games out of a play-in spot. Walker, a 6-foot-5 scorer and defender, should be a mainstay on the wing in Philly for the remainder of this season.
Former NBA All-Star blasts Ja Morant’s father
Former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin absolutely blasted Ja Morant’s father Tee over the dad’s behavior at Memphis Grizzlies games.
Tee Morant has been a fixture attending Grizzlies games ever since his son began playing for the team in 2019. He got ejected from the Grizzlies’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 8 for criticizing the officials.
Martin not only played in the NBA, but his son KJ Martin plays in the league. That gives Kenyon the ability to speak well on the matter from two perspectives. And he thinks Tee Morant is completely out of line.
“It about you, dude,” Martin said regarding Tee Morant during an appearance on the “Gil’s Arena” show. “Sit your a– and then watch your f—ing son play, dawg. Cheer him on. You don’t agree with a call, keep your voice to a certain degree. Shut the f— up and watch your son play, dawg.”
Some of the other personalities appearing on Gilbert Arenas’ show pushed back and argued that Tee Morant is there as a fan to watch his son play and should be treated as a standard fan heckling. Martin pushed back against that idea.
“As a man you are embarrassing your son, this ain’t about you. Sit down and shut up. You are not the center of attention; Ja Morant is,” Martin added.
Kenyon believes that Tee is a father first and should behave accordingly.
Ja Morant is a two-time All-Star and one of the best players in the league. He’s averaging 20.7 points, 7.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game this season for the 36-18 Grizzlies. Martin himself was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. He played 15 seasons in the league and was an All-Star in 2003-2004.
You can watch a video clip of the discussion but beware of the bad language.
Tee Morant has been at the front of issues several times in the past, so this type of behavior from him is not new. Kenyon Martin knows it, which is why he’s aiming the criticism at Tee.
John Madden’s grandson lands NFL coaching job
There is now once again a Madden in the NFL.
The Washington Commanders announced on Tuesday that they have hired Jesse Madden to their coaching staff. Jesse is the grandson of the late NFL legend John Madden and is set to serve as an offensive quality control coach for the Commanders.
Washington’s press release notes that Jesse is entering his first season in the NFL after graduating from the University of Michigan. He played for the Wolverines’ football team, originally at quarterback as a freshman before switching over to defensive back for his sophomore through senior seasons.
Jesse was also a member of the Michigan team that won the national championship in the 2023 NCAA season. Now at just 21 years old, he is set to enter coaching at the NFL level.
John Madden, the Super Bowl champion head coach for the then-Oakland Raiders who later became an iconic NFL commentator and the namesake of the popular “Madden NFL” video game franchise, died in 2021 at the age of 85. His eldest of two sons, Mike Madden, is the father of Jesse. Mike also had a notable background in football, playing as a wide receiver for Harvard University in the mid-1980s.
As for the Commanders, they are coming off a 12-5 season followed by a surprise run to the NFC Championship Game. Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, they finished seventh in the NFL by way of total offense. Now their offense is adding a notable young coach in Jesse Madden to serve under the big-name guru who recently decided to stick around in Washington.