Trail Blazers rumor reveals new owner’s shoddyness forced out 2 proven coach candidates

A new rumor suggests that a pair of elite NBA coaches have already become the Portland Trail Blazers’ official replacements for Chauncey Billups.

There were dark clouds over the trail blazers They had their season hanging from day one when former head coach Billups was implicated in a wild POKEr-rigging plan. However, interim head coach Tiago Splitter did an impressive job controlling the drama. Leading them to a 42-40 record and their first trip to the playoffs since 2021.

A major reason for this is former Washington Wizards lottery pick Deni Avdija having a career year. The 25-year-old leads the team in scoring (24.2 ppg) and dropped 41 in their play-in win last week. His series with the San Antonio Spurs should be fun while it lasts, but either way, Splitter has earned the chance to keep his job permanently. However, it seems that hasn’t impressed his boss Tom Dundon.

The team’s new owner has developed a negative reputation among Blazers fans in just one month of his ownership, with some financially conservative – or cheap – decisions. They opted to save money by not having two-way players travel for their first two playoff games on the road. They will not be giving away free t-shirts for their home postseason matchups this week. And Dundon also reportedly doesn’t want to pay his next head coach more than $1.5 million annually.

Michael Malone and Tom Thibodeau turned down Trail Blazers jobs?

tom thibodeau
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Additionally, he tried and failed to secretly search for a new head coach and general manager. According to The Athletic, Dundon once approached Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone as well as former New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau about becoming his next head coach.

Malone had to fill the same role in college for ACC powerhouse North Carolina. And the report said Thibodeau “is no longer a candidate.” The Trail Blazers still have a rebuilding roster with a lot of potential. Both have shown the ability to consistently turn a team into playoff contenders. However, each has an impressive resume, and $1.5 million per year wouldn’t even come close to securing their services.

One has to assume that if Dundon didn’t want to be paid more than that per year, both proven veteran NBA coaches immediately passed on the idea when the contract figures came out. While Dundon doesn’t seem to be impressed enough with Splitter to make him the full-time head coach, he does seem to be the best option for them.

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After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

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Player leaving Burnley after this season – joins club for ‘proven quality’ signing

Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has emerged as a new target for Slavia Prague in the summer.

The Slovakia international spent over seven years at Newcastle United and left them for Burnley in August 2025.

Scott Parker’s side achieved promotion to the Premier League and were looking for a new stopper.

Burnley immediately made him their No. 1, and he has started in all 31 league matches so far, keeping four clean sheets and conceding 61 goals.

His Premier League statistics for the Clarets are as follows:

  • Shots on target: 166
  • Save: 111
  • Saving Percentage: 66.9%
  • Clean sheet percentage: 12.9%

The 37-year-old’s form for the English club has still managed to attract interest from Slavia Prague.

Burnley man in Czech shortlist

Slavia Prague have Jindrich Stanek, Jakub Markovic and Ondrej Kolar as their stoppers, and Markovic took advantage of the minutes Stanek was sidelined with injury.

Stanek’s agent David Ziyka recently stated that he wants to move to a top-five league after this season. Therefore, the Czech club is now looking for a new goalkeeper.

according to gameOn their shortlist is Burnley’s Martin Dubravka. slavia is prague have already traded with the Clarets when they signed Oliver Soane on loan in the winter market.

The goalkeeper’s contract expires in June and it is believed he will leave Turf Moor in the summer as the Clarets look to relegate to the Championship.

Slovakia previously had a spell with Sparta Prague [2017/18] And could think of returning to the city with Slavia.

His addition to the team would be ‘a bet on proven quality’, but he would not be a guaranteed starter. However, the final decision will depend on how Stanek’s injury situation develops.

Dubravka’s salary is 5 million crowns per month [€200k] There is a problem for Slavia. Furthermore, he may face competition from other clubs for his signature.

Stomper’s future away from Burnley

With his contract expiring at the end of this season, Martin Dubravka’s future lies away from the Premier League side.

He has already spent nine years in England, where he has had stints with Newcastle United, Manchester United and Burnley.

The possibility of the goalkeeper extending his stay in the UK by joining another club cannot be ruled out. So far, there have been no concrete claims of interest from any other club.

#Player #leaving #Burnley #season #joins #club #proven #quality #signing

Why could the Chiefs be even more dangerous with the addition of this proven playmaker?

2025 was not the year of the Kansas City Chiefs. not even close. With Patrick Mahomes fouled out in a brutal moment, Super Bowl hopes were dashed, and there was a lot of chaos in between. It’s safe to say that Arrowhead has been in overdrive ever since. This offseason is all about running it back the right way.

He began by tackling the whole Travis Kelce retirement saga. Shortly after, they not only confirmed another Kelce run, but they also signed Kenneth Walker III and brought in QB2. Last night, they took it up a notch by signing Kelce to a three-year deal worth up to $57 million. However, there is one area where the heads are still lacking. There’s still a hole in that WR room.

And this is where it gets interesting. The veteran playmaker dressed up again in the Fanatics flag football race, showing he still has fire. The explosiveness, the hands, the ability to turn a game around in one fell swoop – it’s all still there. This is why chiefs must make this call now.

RELATED: Travis Kelce’s future in KC gets even bigger after latest move

Chiefs’ WR room could use Odell Beckham Jr.’s big-game DNA

December 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) stands on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Carrie Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Carrie Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic was a straightforward showdown. You had current stars, veterans, and international teams all sharing the field, and Team USA ran through a group of NFL talent in a fast, no-holds-barred style of play.

But let’s be honest, this wasn’t just a reunion tour for the vets. He was making statements. And Odell Beckham Jr. came and made noise.

From his first snap, OBJ stood out. sudden cut. Easy separation. Another ridiculous one-handed snag that blew up the timeline.

For a guy who hasn’t touched an NFL field since the end of 2024, that was a statement. Loud and clear: He’s still got WR1 juice in Flash. He even took a dig at Kay Adams and made it known that he wanted to come back to the league. Also mentioned the New York Giants. But honestly, that reunion seems like a long shot. However, there is one team that makes more sense.

chief. And that’s why he’s a perfect fit as a backup WR.

Even in a limited role, OBJ is still a chunk-play machine. One touch and he’s rotating the position or speed of the sphere. Combine this with Mahomes, a QB who lives off-script, and you get chaos for the defense. Then there’s Andy Reid’s system. It is built on speed, spacing and versatility. OBJ has made it everywhere in his career. Outside, slot, pre-snap motion, you name it. His route-running IQ fits perfectly into KC’s playbook like it was designed for him.

And the best part? it doesn’t have to be Boy As a WR3 or WR4, OBJ’s job is simple. Win delegates, play, shake chains. With the defense of Kelce and the young WRs, he is getting favorable matchups all day long. This is dangerous for the vet who still knows how to cook DB.

At his peak, Beckham was one of the league’s premier wide receivers. He won the 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year, was a Pro Bowl selection three times in his first three seasons, and had five 1,000-yard campaigns. Over 10 seasons, he totaled 7,987 career receiving yards and 59 touchdowns. He owns some of the fastest statistical starts in NFL history, reaching 200 receptions and 4,000 yards at record pace.

Also, let’s not overlook the intangibles. The Chiefs’ WR room has been young and inconsistent. OBJ brings playoff reps, a ring and big game DNA. In January, Mahomes needs guys he can trust—and OBJ has been there before.

Let’s not forget that Tyreek Hill is still a free agent, and the Chiefs have also been linked to him. Full of dreams of a three-peat, the explosiveness the Chiefs could get by bringing in both OBJ and Hill to play alongside Mahomes and Kelce is off the charts.

Let’s hope the gridiron gods are kind to the Chiefs Kingdom this season.

RELATED: Patrick Mahomes reacts to Travis Kelce’s three-year deal with the Chiefs

#Chiefs #dangerous #addition #proven #playmaker