標籤: learned

Portuguese side interested in Alverca watford Striker Vivaldo Semedo and has already talked about a move to the Hornets.

record The report adds that contact with Watford is already underway, with the Portuguese side having ‘already expressed’ their interest in the 21-year-old.

Watford talks begin

According to the newspaper, Alvarca have spoken to Watford regarding Vivaldo Semedo and have ‘learned about the terms’ for a possible transfer of the 21-year-old. There is no mention of what the piece might be worth.

But Semedo is currently valued at €1m. He joined Watford from Udinese last summer in an undisclosed deal, having previously been reported to be worth €3m until 2022. So, it’s easy to imagine that Watford’s demand would be in the low millions.

Alvarca is eyeing him as a replacement for Marko Milovanovic. He spent this season at the club on loan from Almería but is expected to return to the Spanish club this summer.

The 22-year-old has scored nine goals and two assists in 31 games in the league this season. This is despite playing in only 50% of the available minutes. He is their leading goalscorer, with Figueiredo second with six goals.

Therefore, his departure will fill a big gap. And it appears the Portuguese side think Vivaldo Semedo can fill the void.

return to portugal

In comparison, he has scored four goals and two assists in 26 games in the Championship for Watford this season. However, he has only featured in 17% of the available minutes. And that’s only been in the starting 11 13% of the time.

He is a product of Sporting Clube de Portugal’s youth system, playing for their U15 and U17 sides before moving to Udinese’s U19 team in 2022. He also spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Vizela.

The latter saw him score nine goals and register four assists in 27 games. Perhaps Alvarka is looking at these figures. Either way, he has started preliminary talks with Watford about a deal this summer.

The New York Giants have been one of the most active teams in free agency as they have made significant roster additions. On paper, they are much better than the team that finished 4-13 in 2025.

Head coach John Harbaugh, general manager Joe Schoen and senior vice president of football operations Don Aponte deserve credit for addressing several key needs and streamlining the salary cap. The franchise is moving in a different direction under this new arrangement, and we’re starting to see what the team will look like in 2026.

Here are five things we’ve learned so far about the Giants during free agency.

RELATED: 5 NFL trades we’d love to see in March

Creating an ongoing game to discourage opponents

New York had the fifth-best rushing game in the league last year, averaging 129.1 yards per game. Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Scatebo both averaged more than four yards per carry, and now they will have fullback Patrick Rickard paving the running lanes.

The addition of the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Rickard will give the ground game an intimidating presence that will wear down defenses. The Giants’ running game will be even more potent in 2026, and Tracy and Skattebo should have the most productive seasons of their young careers.

special teams emphasis

Given his special teams background and knowing how New York’s special teams have struggled over the past few seasons, the 63-year-old head coach placed an emphasis on upgrading this weakness.

They accomplished this by acquiring their punter from the Baltimore Ravens in Jordan Stout, who was a first-team All-Pro in 2025. They then signed former Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Myers to a one-year contract. They re-signed Giants special teams ace Art Green and kick returner Gunner Olszewski, and added former Miami Dolphins special teams ace Elijah Campbell.

In 2025, Big Blue lost seven one-possession games, and special teams played a role in some of those losses. With an improved kicking game, the team should turn more one-score games into wins rather than losses in 2026.

Sending a message to veterans’ veterans

Before the start of free agency, there were concerns about the New York Giants’ wide receiver corps outside of Malik Nabors. Those concerns have been alleviated with the additions of Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin, but the front office and coaching staff have clearly sent a message to Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt with these two signings.

Slayton has been plagued with drops, and Hyatt has been a huge disappointment in his three years with the Giants, catching only 36 passes for 470 yards with zero touchdowns. Mooney’s arrival could significantly reduce Slayton’s role and put Hyatt’s roster spot in serious jeopardy.

Giants’ first-round selection shrouded in mystery

There is a lot of curiosity about what the Giants will do with the fifth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. There is speculation that they will take Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love, despite the fact that they are strong at the running back position.

Others think the decision of who they will draft will depend on three Ohio State players: Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, or Carnell Tate. Many mock drafts have these three taken in the first 10 picks, and all three could make an immediate impact as rookies.

Although New York has addressed all of the prospects’ respective positions this offseason, none of the signings will prevent them from using their first pick in the draft at one of these positions. At this point, it would be surprising if New York didn’t add Love or one of the former Buckeye players. But so far, none of them have emerged as clear favorites to go fifth overall.

RELATED: 5 NFL players who need a change of scenery in 2026, potential landing spots

John Harbaugh’s reputation continues as a legend

When the Ravens parted ways with John Harbaugh after 18 seasons, there were reports that Harbaugh’s voice in the locker room was becoming stale. Those rumors appear to be false as many of his players from Baltimore have followed him to New York.

Isaiah Likely, Patrick Rickard, Jordan Stout and Ar’Darius Washington all followed their coach from Baltimore to New York because they believed in him. Others feel the same way, as New York is currently projected for a total of seven and a half wins, which is more than a season ago.

With a Super Bowl-winning head coach now in charge and the upgrades he has made throughout the roster, it is clear that the Giants are a franchise on the rise.

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault says Jared McCann’s consistency stands out. Still, he’s learning a lot about his second-year guard after a deadline trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Amidst the injuries in the defending champions’ backcourt, McCann’s fit with the Thunder has been seamless. Over the course of a dozen games, he is averaging 11.8 points on 41.5/39.5/88.9 percent shooting splits and 2.2 rebounds per game.

Additionally, McCain’s Mid-range touch has devastated opponentsThat’s an aspect of his game Daigneault says he wasn’t familiar with until McCain joined the Thunder, he said, according to Thunder Wire’s Clemente Almanza.

“His shooting ability. He’s a guy you have to make runs off the line, which opens up some of those drives. I didn’t know his game well, especially that part of his game — those mid-range games show his strength,” Daigneault said. “He’s going downhill, and he’s able to absorb contact and rise up and shoot a balanced rhythm shot, which is harder than it looks. He makes it look easier than it is. So, he’s done a great job.”

Mark Daigneault on Jared McCain’s mid-range game: “He’s a guy you’ve got to run off the line, that opens up some of those drives. I didn’t know his game well, especially that part of his game, the mid-range game shows his strength. He’s driving downfield and he’s … pic.twitter.com/ICzCnh3l86

– Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) 6 March 2026

Daigneault also praised McCann for being a secondary playmaker for the shorthanded Thunder, who are missing players like Ajay Mitchell, who has been out since January, and Alex Caruso, who has been in and out of the lineup. All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned from an abdominal injury in Friday’s 127-121 overtime win against the Denver Nuggets.

He had not played since Feb. 3, and Caruso, dealing with a left hip injury, left Wednesday’s 103–100 win against the New York Knicks, as did Isaiah Hartenstein with a left calf injury.

Jared McCann continues to grow for the Thunder

Across a 12-game sample size, Thunder guard Jared McCann has made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, making life easier for his new teammates. In the recent 121-113 win against the Cavs, Jaylin Williams and McCann led the Thunder’s bench production while the defending champions were playing without All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso.

Isaiah Joe, who got the nod to start for Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, explained how McCann’s influence opened up offensive opportunities he didn’t have before.

“It puts the defense in a dilemma whether to help or not, and it kind of creates driving lanes, even when they went box-and-1, and they made that run, we were still getting really good looks,” Joe said. “I think Lou got some wide-open shots – Jay-Will, Chet. The shot didn’t fall, but given that severity, we just try to find ways to either get looks, take shots, and a lot of times it creates opportunities for other guys, and creates other opportunities for everybody else.”

McCann and the Thunder will look to extend their four-game winning streak when they host the Warriors on Saturday.

PHOENIX- There have been a few instances this season where the Phoenix Suns have been outplayed. Another example came Thursday against the Chicago Bulls.

Although 105–103 indicated a close game, don’t let the score fool you. Even for a guy like Devin Booker, he knew his team didn’t bring the right energy.

Typically, they dive for 50/50 balls, pick up full court, and establish the pace of the game. Thursday’s game was a deviation from his norm, yet Booker sees a silver lining with the struggles in the energy department.

Booker said in the locker room postgame, “That’s been our MO all year. We look at what happens when we do that, and tonight is an example of what happens when we don’t do that. Hopefully, it’s a lesson learned from here.”

Devin Booker on the Suns’ lack of energy tonight.

“That’s been our MO all year. We see what happens when we do that, and tonight was an example of what happens when we don’t do that. Hopefully it’ll be a lesson learned from here.” pic.twitter.com/oBmstJqQl0

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 6 March 2026

The shorthanded Bulls did not get any wins in February, but they picked up some impressive wins in early March. They proceeded with the same momentum till Thursday and took full advantage.

His play speed and paint presence were difference makers. Guys like Collin Sexton and Guerschon Yabusele put tremendous pressure on the basket and worked hard for second chances.

Who else agreed with Devin Booker’s assessment of the Sun’s energy?

Head coach Jordan Ott has been someone who has never been afraid to hold his team accountable. After all, Ott had a challenge of accountability for the Suns before last Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Did he do the same after the loss to the Bulls? Not necessarily, but he mentioned a game strategy he used to stir up some energy. He mentions that he attacked because he needed energy, and it’s something he shouldn’t have asked for.

Somehow, Ott knows that the root of all these conversations about lack of effort is the same.

“We do it honestly,” Ott explained. “We took the first out, again, we had zero (forced) turnovers. The reason I know we had zero (forced) turnovers is because I said it to the group. Then at halftime we just talked about wasting possessions.

“We can’t waste possessions, we’re not that type of team, and we have to somehow increase our activity and energy. So we’re looking. We’re looking for different lineups, different guys.”

Luckily for the Suns, their next game will be on Friday as the second leg of a back-to-back. That will give them minimal time to reflect on Thursday’s surprising loss and hopefully use it as a learning lesson, as Booker said.