NBA rumors: Celtics want haul of picks in Jaylen Brown trade; Jalen Duren dissatisfied with Pistons' offer
Free agency is around the corner, but the real intel lies in the trade market. For the last several years, the NBA's biggest offseason movement has come from trades, and this year feels no different. Already, we've seen Giannis Antetokounmpo traded to the Heat, LaMelo Ball sent to the Timberwolves and Julius Randle sent to the Nets. And that's just in the past week.
Right now, everyone is looking at the Celtics with Jaylen Brown, who Boston was willing to part with if it meant landing Antetokounmpo. That didn't happen, but it speaks to Boston's willingness to go big(ger) fish hunting in order to best position itself for a championship.
Let's take a look around the league and break down the latest rumors.
Jalen Duren plans to explore sign-and-trade options
Duren, a restricted free agent coming off his first All-Star nod, is reportedly "underwhelmed" by the Pistons' initial contract offer and is planning to explore sign-and-trade scenarios, per The Athletic. However, it's unclear if the Pistons would be willing to trade the big man away.
Duren is eligible for a five-year, $287.1 million extension, which would account for 30% of the Pistons' salary cap. That's a massive amount for someone who struggled mightily throughout the playoffs. After averaging career highs in the regular season, Duren was essentially neutralized on both ends of the floor by Wendell Carter Jr. in the first round against the Magic and the tandem of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in Detroit's second-round loss to the Cavaliers.
As a result, there's a wide gap between what Duren wants on his next contract and what Detroit is willing to give him, per The Athletic, leading him to explore sign-and-trade options to play elsewhere.
This could obviously change, and there's a chance it's a negotiating tactic on Duren's part to extract more money from Detroit, especially since Duren's camp would need the Pistons to play ball in any sign-and-trade offer. Even if he signed an offer sheet with another team, because he's a restricted free agent, the Pistons are able to match whatever deal he gets from another team.
Amid the Pistons' contract negotiations with Duren, they've been busy elsewhere. They traded Isaiah Stewart to the Grizzlies for three future second-round picks on Wednesday before reportedly acquiring Oklahoma City sharpshooter Isaiah Joe on Friday for two second-round picks. Joe will bring much-needed shooting depth to a roster that desperately lacked that in the postseason. It's obvious that Detroit is serious about addressing its weaknesses after a disappointing postseason performance as the East's No. 1 seed. And while Duren had a poor showing in the playoffs, it's difficult to imagine the Pistons entertaining a trade for him unless it's to land a star.
Celtics demanding four first-round picks for Jaylen Brown?
If the Celtics plan to trade Brown, they won't be taking a subpar offer. Boston is reportedly asking for four first-round picks in exchange for the Finals MVP, per ESPN. That's a steep price, and could suggest that Boston really isn't rushing to move the Brown. It's interesting that the Celtics would want four first-round picks when they were just dangling Brown in a trade to land Antetokounmpo. Depending on the deal, they could immediately flip those picks to another team in order to acquire a different star, but you'd have to ensure that player gets you closer to winning a title, something Brown and Jayson Tatum have shown they're already capable of doing.
Trading Brown for Antetokounmpo is one thing, but signaling that you want draft assets in return seems like Boston is panicking when it doesn't need to. This is a roster that, when healthy, could easily win 50 games and make a deep run in the postseason every year. That's not just guessing; we've already seen them do it. Now, if this is a case of Brown wanting out because he truly desires to be the undisputed No. 1 option on a team, then that's a different story. But until we get more clarity on the situation, this just seems a little misguided for a team that won a title in 2024 and has many of those same guys still on the roster.
Jaylen Brown trade destinations: Six possible landing spots for Celtics star after failed Giannis pursuit Sam Quinn
If Boston is insistent on trading Brown, the Pistons are reportedly interested in a sign-and-trade that would send Duren to the Celtics, per Jake Fischer. Of course the Pistons would want that trade, but it doesn't make much sense for Boston. Sure, Duren is an excellent defender and you can spam pick-and-rolls with him, but you lose a lot of playmaking when you trade Brown, something that Boston would need to replace. Duren's postseason performance might also be concerning to Boston, though he'd be joining a team with significantly better shooting, so the paint won't be nearly as packed as it was for Detroit in the playoffs.
This comes down to how eager the Celtics are to trade Brown. If Duren is the best they can do, I'm not sure that's the smartest trade for them.
Knicks' front office, Dolan at odds over second apron
The Knicks are still celebrating their first championship in 53 years, but the cold, harsh reality is setting in that some of the players who helped them win it all might not be back next season. Well, at least according to team owner James Dolan. Almost immediately after the Knicks uncorked the champagne, Dolan went on the radio and said he doesn't want the Knicks to go into the heavily restrictive second apron. That means the Knicks might be unable to bring back the likes of Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado, all of whom were integral players in this championship run.
The way the Knicks operated during the draft -- trading out of the first round -- suggested that they plan on holding true to that plan. However, there appears to be some misalignment within the organization. New York's front office wants to go over the second apron in order to keep most of this roster intact next season, per The Athletic.
If the front office of Leon Rose and William Wesley can convince Dolan to change his mind, then the Knicks can run it back with this team and have a great shot at defending their title. But if Dolan is unmoved, it could significantly affect the team's chances of winning another championship next season.
We've seen before what happens when a championship roster is broken up immediately after winning, just ask Mark Cuban and the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. The second apron is restrictive, and we've seen championship teams shed salary to avoid it. Will the Knicks follow suit?
Add CBS Sports on GoogleBadenoch 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.'
