Everything Spurs fans need to know about free agency
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The start of free agency is just hours away. While teams won’t be able to actually sign contracts until July 6th, they can start negotiating on June 30th, and there are a lot of interesting names both in the free agency pool and on the trade block. We’ve already had the massive Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami move, and there could be more coming.
The Spurs, coming off a Finals appearance in their return to the playoffs, might not go for a big splash, but they do have some roster spots to fill and some roles where they could use an upgrade or more experience. So let’s see what San Antonio needs, how it can get it, and what would make for a successful offseason.
AdvertisementAdvertisementDo the Spurs have cap space? How can they sign free agents?
The Spurs could technically carve up some minimal cap space, but in reality, they’ll act as an over-the-cap team. So what does that mean? Well, they’ll have the non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception worth around $15 million at their disposal, as well as the bi-annual exception worth around $5.5 million since they didn’t use it last year. It should be enough to add some talent.
They will also be able to re-sign their own free agents if they have Bird rights to them without much concern, since they are well below the second apron. Whether they’ll have an interest in bringing most of them back is a different story, but there have been reports that they might try to keep Harrison Barnes. Currently, they have nine players under standard contracts, but that number will move to 11 once they sign their two first-round draft picks.
What about trades? Can the Spurs make something big happen?
The Spurs have young players, draft picks, and contracts large and small to make a big trade, but not without losing key contributors in the process. They had expendable expiring contracts last season, like Kelly Olynyk’s and Harrison Barnes’, to match salaries easily, but now to make a big move for an expensive player, they would have to include guys like Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, and/or Luke Kornet, all of whom were in the rotation last year.
AdvertisementAdvertisementDoes that mean there’s no chance a trade happens? Not really. Johnson and Kornet struggled in the playoffs, and despite their contributions in the regular season, the front office might consider them expendable. De’Aaron Fox also wasn’t at his best in the postseason, but Brian Wright has said the team remains committed to him. He’s also said he expects most of this group to be back, which likely means that while possible, a big move is unlikely.
What are the Spurs’ needs?
The Spurs have a strong foundation, but there’s one type of player that they are missing: a big forward who can shoot and also spend time as a small-ball center. Now, that type of player is extremely hard to find, and every team that doesn’t have one wants one, so there are not many available. Especially not proven playoff performers who could be had with the mid-level exception.
That said, San Antonio could still use someone who can fill one of the two roles. Among the available big forwards who can shoot, there are names like Tobias Harris, Sandro Mamukelashvili, John Collins, Saddiq Bey, and Rui Hachimura, among others, who will likely sign for mid-level exception money. The Spurs could also retain Barnes to fill that role or rely on the development of Carter Bryant.
Are there any Spurs-related rumors out there?
Unsurprisingly, the Spurs have been linked to a bunch of forwards, but there’s nothing concrete. They are reportedly “expected” to be interested in John Collins and Dean Wade, according to The Stein Line Mark Stein($) and HoopsHype Michael Scotto, respectively. Now, expected to be doesn’t mean they are, but they could be. Stein did say the Spurs are interested in Rui Hachimura, so that seems more of a report than speculation.
The Spurs were also linked to Kawhi Leonard by ESPN’s Bobby Marks and are reportedly one of the two franchises with which Leonard would sign an extension, with the other being the Raptors, according to Stein($). But while Toronto is reportedly interested in a reunion, there has been no news about whether San Antonio is. The answer, considering how badly things ended between franchise and player, is likely “no” even before considering the Clippers’ potentially high asking price.
What’s a realistic scenario for the Spurs in free agency?
Anything can happen in the NBA. We’ve seen signings and trades no one was expecting. But considering how good the Spurs were last season, the tools they have at their disposal to add talent and the few holes on the roster, it wouldn’t be surprising if this offseason is a quiet one for San Antonio.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAs mentioned, getting a forward with size who can shoot is the biggest need for the Spurs. They will likely try to find someone using part of the entirety of the mid-level exception. Before the draft, getting a quality third big man seemed like a need, but after selecting two centers, including a seemingly NBA-ready big man in Tarris Reed Jr., it now seems like more of a luxury. Still, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to secure the services of either a shooting big man or a rim protector. If someone who can play is available, either with part of the mid-level exception or the bi-annual exception, it would be smart to secure their services.
It’s hard to name the targets when there haven’t been many reports about who the Spurs want, but a successful offseason would be to get, say, Rui Hachimura and Larry Nance Jr., or John Collins and Simone Fontecchio, for example. While those specific players might not be available, as long as the Spurs add some shooting and size, the offseason would be a success. If they retain Barnes, adding a big man or a guard for cheap to round out their roster would likely be the play.
When does free agency start again? And how can I remain informed?
Teams can start negotiating with free agents on Tuesday, June 30th, at 5 p.m. CT. Make sure to visit Pounding the Rock for all your Spurs-related news and discussion.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
