Suns Prevented Two Top NBA Free Agents From Leaving
Suns Prevented Two Top NBA Free Agents From Leaving
The Phoenix Suns prevented two top free agents from hitting the open market. Donnie Druin|
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Phoenix SunsPHOENIX — NBA free agency begins today, though the Phoenix Suns have already handled most of their business.
Thanks to their lack of premium draft capital and top level salary cap space, the Suns weren't able to make any eye-opening/splash moves. Phoenix opted to retain multiple key in-house players, two of which were on Spotrac's list of Top 50 free agents entering the summer.
Collin Gillespie (No. 28)
Gillespie elevated his game to new levels this past season and was rewarded with a four-year, $48 million contract this summer.
Gillespie will operate as Phoenix's third scoring option in the backcourt behind Devin Booker and Jalen Green. As bench scoring continues to be emphasized in the NBA, Gillespie's value in not only that department but also organizing the offense was pivotal for the Suns this season.
“I've always seen him. He was in the gym all summer long. He plays with a confidence that is very mature, well beyond his years. He's growing, He's going to continue to grow. He's in situations like tonight that he's probably never been in at the NBA level," Suns coach Jordan Ott said of Gillespie earlier in the season.
"He is going to continue to get better. We are super confident in what he can do and the next steps, next iterations of Collin Gillespie. He's got a long pathway to grow and we're going to continue to pump him up, give him confidence, give more avenues, try to find solutions. Like I talked in pregame he's finding solutions out there on the fly. He's going to continue to get better.”
Mark Williams (No. 29)
Williams, acquired via trade last summer, stayed mostly healthy to begin the 2025-26 season and provided solid starting center play for the Suns before injuries reared their ugly head down the stretch of the postseason.
Williams' presence in the desert wasn't always a given, as some thought the Suns may have been willing to bank on the development of young centers in Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro.
However, Phoenix gave Williams a three-year, $38 million deal to remain with the Suns. The contract was widely seen as a win-win for both parties.
The reality of Williams' return is a door for a potential trade isn't closed — though the Suns did get a servicable starter for a reasonable price.
Published 1 minute ago
DONNIE DRUINDonnie Druin is the Publisher for Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns On SI. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with the company since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!
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Rosie O’Donnell Slammed for Posing in Front of Private Jet After Blasting Wealthy People as 'Embarrassing'
Rosie O’Donnell Slammed for Posing in Front of Private Jet After Blasting Wealthy People as ‘Embarrassing’
Millionaire left-wing comedian Rosie O’Donnell is being slammed on social media for posing with fellow comedian Kathy Griffin in front of a private jet after recently attacking wealthy people as “embarrassing” and asking, “How much [money] can you have?”
“The resistance has landed,” Griffin wrote in a Friday Instagram caption, sharing a photo of herself with O’Donnell in front of a jet. “Are you guys gonna watch the week that @Rosie guest hosts for @jimmykimmellive??? It will be a must watch week.”
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Amusingly, O’Donnell is apparently back in the U.S. — again — after fleeing the country for Ireland early last year and previously vowing not to return while President Donald Trump is in office.
Viewers quickly took to social media to share their reactions to O’Donnell standing before the private jet.
“Whatever democrats accuse you of doing, THEY ARE DOING,” one X user proclaimed.
“Rules for thee not for me!” another wrote.
“They are both embarrassing enough no matter what they’re standing in front of!” a third exclaimed.
“Envy is a terrible thing, usually displayed extensively by champagne socialists,” another X user remarked.
“These celebrities are hypocrites… and the general public doesn’t care what they have to say anyways,” another commented.
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“It’s okay when they do it,” the popular X account Catturd quipped.
“This is the perfect example of why the left cannot be taken seriously,” another X user reacted.
“I used to think these 2 women were funny until they contracted severe #TDS and a ragingly high level of hypocrisy,” another commented.
“Interesting… private Jets… what about the environment?” another X user asked in a nod to the left’s constant “climate change” alarmism.
“The problem for these limo-liberals is how they define ‘wealthy people,'” another pointed out. “It’s not about money, it’s about politics. ‘Wealthy people’ are really only those with money who don’t support the causes that Rosie and her comrades support.”
A few months ago, O’Donnell — who has an estimated net worth of $80 million — said, “It should be embarrassing to be a billionaire.”
“It should be embarrassing to have the ability to help society and choose not to, I mean, I don’t understand, how much can you have?” O’Donnell added at the time.
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Notably, leftists are commonly seen blasting “millionaires,” until they become one themselves, at which point they then segue to attacking “billionaires.”
As Breitbart News reported, millionaire left-wing TV host Jimmy Kimmel was slammed earlier this month for warning against “obscenely wealthy weirdo” Elon Musk getting richer.
“The class envy from multi millionaires of billionaires is really something to behold,” one X user quipped in reaction to Kimmel.
Alana Mastrangelo is a reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow her on Facebook and X at @ARmastrangelo, and on Instagram.
Ashley Cole leaves Cesena job just THREE months after landing role
Ashley Cole has left his role as head coach of Italian second-tier side Cesena just three months after being appointed.
Cole, 45, was handed his first managerial role when taking over in March and won one of his eight matches in charge of the Serie 'B' outfit, who finished 11th after their play-off push faltered.
It was reported at the time that the ex-Chelsea and Arsenal defender must meet 'certain conditions' in order to be offered a new contract. There had also been uproar from Cesena fans at the decision to sack his predecessor, Michele Mignani.
But Cole claims he has decided to seek a new challenge elsewhere after his deal ended.
'As my tenure at Cesena FC concludes today, I want to thank the players and staff for their hard work and commitment over the last few months,' Cole wrote on Instagram.
'I was proud to bring my experience to such a passionate club, and I’ve truly enjoyed working with the squad to introduce a new identity and prepare for the season ahead.
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'Following recent discussions with the Sporting Director regarding a change in the club’s strategy, I have decided that it is best for me to move on.
'I leave with great respect for all the people there, as well as the fans, and look forward to my next challenge.'
Cole has been a coach at various levels since retiring from football in 2019, most recently with the Football Association as a full-time national coach.
He has also served as Frank Lampard's assistant at Everton and Chelsea, and held the same role at Birmingham City when Wayne Rooney was in charge.
The 107-cap England international then worked with the U21 national team and assisted Lee Carsley for the senior squad.
As a player, Cole made more than 700 appearances before retiring with Derby County in 2019.
He won the Champions League with Chelsea, as well as a Premier League title and four FA Cups during his time at Stamford Bridge. He also won the Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield with the Blues.
The defender moved to Chelsea after breaking through at Arsenal, where he had collected two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Community Shields.
He has played on Italian soil before, too, having joined Serie A giants AS Roma from Chelsea in 2014, spending two years in Rome before joining LA Galaxy and finishing his career at Derby.
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