NBA rumors: The latest on Jaylen Brown's Celtics future, the Knicks' offseason plans and Anthony Edwards
Day 1 of the NBA Draft is in the books, and while we get ready for the second round Thursday night, there's some trade fodder to keep us busy until then. If you're a fan of chaos and trades during the NBA Draft, then Tuesday night was probably a snoozefest, as teams only traded picks or guys who were just drafted.
There were no massive blockbuster deals for the likes of Jaylen Brown, or anyone else who has been mentioned on the trading block the last few weeks. But that doesn't mean we still won't see something happen as Day 2 of the draft nears.
Let's take a look around the league to see what the latest trade chatter is.
Celtics downplaying Brown's availability
Among possible trades that could go down on draft night, Brown was the biggest name on the market. However, Celtics president Brad Stevens' messaging after Night 1 suggests that perhaps the Finals MVP isn't as available as expected.
"Jaylen Brown is a big part of us," Stevens said. "I'm never going to predict the future. Every indication, everything I think about, over the last few years, has been building around those guys. You never know. But at the same time, the one thing I want to make very clear is how valued he's always been. He's been amazing. He's been an amazing teammate and a great person to be around."
This comes just two days after Brown was the centerpiece of a proposed trade that would've landed the Celtics Giannis Antetokounmpo, which ultimately failed after the Bucks decided to go with the Miami Heat's trade package instead. While Stevens' words suggest Brown might not be getting traded, it's also boilerplate messaging that you'd expect from the team president just a few days after not landing the player you wanted in a trade.
"With all the rumor mill and all that stuff, and his name being splashed all over the place, that's not easy," Stevens said. "We certainly wanted to be as proactive and up-front with that as possible. I thought we had really good, candid conversations. ... I'll always keep our conversations private. I think it's appropriate regardless of what the content of those conversations is like. What I said is really true: I don't love the fact any time it's a big, public thing. We try to keep things as close to the vest and as quiet as possible. The rumor mill is the rumor mill, and there's going to be a lot of noise out there."
Countless rumors and reports have suggested that Brown would be enticed by a fresh start on a new team, one where he would be the undisputed franchise centerpiece. Those reports grew louder after Brown declared this most recent season the favorite of his career, a year in which he was the 1A option with Jayson Tatum sidelined for most of the year.
Perhaps this will all just be a bump in the road for Brown and the Celtics, and he'll go on to have an even longer career in Boston. At the very least, it sounds like Stevens is trying to downplay Brown's availability right now.
"Whether (Brown's run in Boston) ends 10 years from now when he retires or before, there's a lot to celebrate," Stevens said. "We have a great relationship and an open relationship where we talk about everything. But I don't want to predict the future."
Knicks holding to Dolan's plan of staying below second tax apron
Prior to Day 1 of the NBA Draft, Dolan reiterated to the Knicks front office that he wants the team to stay under the second apron for the upcoming season, according to SNY's Ian Begley. It's a message Dolan has publicly stated since the Knicks beat the Spurs in the NBA Finals, ending a 53-year championship drought. Dolan called going above the second tax apron "suicidal" during an appearance on "The Carton Show" on WFAN, while also saying that, "If we could bring back the whole team, exactly as it is, why wouldn't you? But I don't know if we're going to be able to."
Those are sobering words for Knicks fans who are probably still riding the high from their championship. But as we saw on Night 1 of the draft, the Knicks are certainly operating like a team that wants to stay under the second apron. First, the Knicks traded the No. 24 pick to the Lakers for the No. 25 pick and cash considerations. Then, New York drafted Spanish guard Sergio de Larrea with the 25th pick and promptly traded him to the Dallas Mavericks for the 30th pick in the first round and two future second-round picks.
New York then turned around and traded the 30th pick (Koa Peat) to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 47 pick and two additional future second-round picks (2029, 2033). Had the Knicks kept their first-round pick, the salary they would've had to pay that rookie would've put them closer to that second apron.
We'll see if the Knicks plan on trading down even further on Wednesday night, as they're clearly trying to prioritize keeping as many players from this championship team as possible. But if they're treating the second apron like a hard cap, then keeping key backups like Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet may be difficult this summer.
Why James Dolan's second apron comments raise big questions about Knicks' ability to keep championship roster Sam Quinn
Edwards believes Timberwolves have bright future despite trade noise
The Giannis trade isn't even official yet and we've all collectively moved on to which star will be the next one to want out from his current team. Anthony Edwards naturally leads the conversation, as he and the Wolves have failed to break through to the NBA Finals despite two trips to the conference finals in the last three years. There's been no reason to suggest that Edwards wants out of Minnesota any time soon, and The Athletic is reporting just that, saying, "According to multiple people with knowledge of Edwards' thinking, the Timberwolves star is not flinching at the challenge ahead and believes the team has a bright future ahead of it."
Well, there we go. That's the end of it, right? Of course not. We just went through an entire saga with Antetokounmpo, as we've done with countless stars throughout history who have been unhappy with the team's direction. Edwards is happy right now, and as long as the Wolves continue to position themselves as a championship contender, then he'll likely remain content in the Minnesota winters.
But what happens if the Wolves can't keep up with the likes of the Thunder and Spurs, and they become the team that can never break through? That's what the Wolves are constantly competing against. It's not enough to just get to the conference finals. You have to win titles to keep your star happy. And if Minnesota can't accomplish that, then the noise around Edwards wanting a trade will only grow louder as the years go on.
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.'
