標籤: standout

The Sacramento Kings needed lottery luck to accelerate their rebuild. After falling to seventh overall, it appears that NBA free agency may now play a role in the Kings’ front office retooling the roster.

The New York Post’s Stephen Bondy spoke with sources around the league who described the Kings as a threat to poach center Mitchell Robinson away from the New York Knicks.

RELATED: Kings linked to bizarre trade for superstar

Robinson, age 28, was drafted by the Knicks with the 36th overall selection in the 2018 NBA draft. This occurred when Kings general manager Scott Perry held the same title with New York. The 7-foot center immediately earned All-Rookie Second Team honors in his first season, and he has been a key bench player for the team for the past three years.

After eight seasons in New York, Robinson is looking for a better opportunity elsewhere. He has started just 19 games over the past two seasons and has not averaged more than 20 minutes per contest since the 2023–24 campaign. Coming off a season where he made $12.954 million, he may also be looking for a better salary.

RELATED: Sacramento Kings coach’s salary revealed

However, Sacramento will need to reduce payroll before going after Robinson. Zach LaVine ($48.967 million) and Domantas Sabonis ($45.472 million) are making more than $90 million combined next season, and that doesn’t even include the more than $45 million owed to De’Andre Hunter ($24.91 million) and Malik Monk ($20.19 million). Sacramento may also have to move on from DeMar DeRozan, paying him $10 million before his $25.74 million salary for next season becomes fully guaranteed.

If Perry is able to move Sabonis this summer then Robinson is an interesting short-term fit for Sacramento. However, given that the franchise is still in a multi-year rebuild, owner Vivek Ranadive will likely prioritize ways to save money this off-season.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

chelsea’s Recruitment strategy in South America has repeatedly focused on young midfielders with tactical flexibility, intensity and scope for rapid development. Gabriel Bontempo ticks all those boxes at Santos.

The 21-year-old has quietly become one of the most important players in manager Kuka’s squad this season. While Santos continues to struggle collectively, Bontempo has established himself as an undisputed starter and a key part of the team’s structure.

With one goal and two assists in 21 games this year, his stats don’t immediately jump off the page. However, the broader picture explains why European clubs are paying attention.

Last season, despite spending most of the campaign outside the starting eleven, he still managed to score five goals and two assists in 42 appearances. In 2024, he had already recorded three goals and seven assists during his rise through the club’s system.

So this is not some young player who suddenly produces numbers out of nowhere. Direct involvement in goals has followed him for some time.

Gabriel Bontempo is also valued for his versatility. He can operate as a deep midfielder, an attacking midfielder or even from wide areas. Santos has often used him on the right side of midfield, where his pace and energy helps link attacks.

Standing approximately 1.81 meters tall and right-footed, he combines mobility with a strong work rate. Brazilian reports regularly describe him as a player who “makes the team work”.

Chelsea’s interest revealed

It appears that profile has now attracted Chelsea. because according to bolavip brazilThe Blues have monitored Bontempo for months and are considering a move in the next transfer window.

The report adds that Chelsea are evaluating whether to formalize an offer for the midfielder this summer. And timing could be of the essence for Santos.

Despite a recent 2-0 win over Red Bull Bragantino, the Brazilian team is under pressure. They are just one point above the relegation zone and bottom of their Copa Sudamericana group with three points from four matches.

Financial concerns also continue to affect the club’s plans.

Bolavip says that Santos values ​​Bontempo very much internally, but also recognizes that it may be difficult to retain him if major European interests solidify. Chelsea’s model of moving quickly for emerging talent could add to that pressure.

Why does Chelsea’s interest matter?

The appeal isn’t just its technical level. Equally important is their strategic intelligence and adaptability. He can fulfill multiple midfield duties and take over regular senior football responsibilities, already at a difficult time for Santos.

This combination often holds significant importance in Premier League recruitment analysis.

For Santos, losing another academy product would obviously be painful. Yet with the club in need of financial relief, Chelsea may see an opportunity to strike before Gabriel Bontempo’s valuation climbs even higher.

Manchester City defender Vitor Reis has received his first senior Brazil call-up after establishing himself as a key man during his loan spell at Verona.

The 20-year-old will join Carlo Ancelotti’s side for a friendly against Croatia in Orlando on Tuesday and arrive in the United States on Friday.

The timing is not a coincidence. Vitor Reis has become one of Verona’s most reliable players this seasonBecoming a regular starter in LaLiga.

espn brazil Say he is currently the Brazilian player with the most minutes played in the competition, which underlines both his consistency and importance within the team.

That prominence reflects the success of Manchester City’s growth plan. Since arriving in Spain, the defender has acquired a central role and rarely leaves the pitch.

He has played 27 league matches, starting 26 of them, and logged over 2,300 minutes. In those appearances, he has recorded 163 clearances and 77 recoveries, while only being dribbled seven times.

In possession, he has completed 1,277 passes with 90.8% accuracy, showing clear alignment Pep Guardiola’s demands.

sudden call in the early morning

The Brazil call-up came unexpectedly. according to espn brazilVitor Reis was sleeping when he received a call from national team coordinator Rodrigo Caetano at around 3 a.m. local time.

He woke up to the news that he needed to go to Orlando immediately to join the team. Neither the players nor their entourage, owned by Manchester City, expected a call at this stage.

After the conversation, Vitor Reis immediately informed his family and representatives. He then made arrangements to travel to the United States within a few hours. The sudden nature of the call highlights how quickly his rise is being recognized internationally.

This is his first senior call-up, but his excellent form has already attracted attention in Brazil. As we recently coveredThe Palmeiras (his former club) academy director, who worked with Vitor Reis at youth level, said “He will be Brazil’s centre-back for the next three or four World Cups”.

Reward for breakout season

Vitor Reis has got this opportunity after months of consistent performances in Spain. Verona have relied heavily on him throughout the campaign, with the Brazilian becoming a pillar in their defensive structure.

The loan move was designed to provide minutes and continuity. It has done exactly that. In addition to his defensive work, he has scored one goal, one assist and created eight chances. His increasing influence in possession has also come to the fore, with regular involvement in Verona’s build-up play.

From Manchester City’s point of view, the signs are very positive. The defender is gaining experience in a system that shares similarities with Guardiola’s approach, which should ease his transition upon returning to England.

what happens next

Vitor Reyes is Hope to return to Manchester City after his loan spell ends this summer. This first senior Brazilian call-up strengthens his case ahead of that move.

The coming months will be important for both club and country. If he maintains his current level, he could reach the Etihad with real pace.

For now, Manchester City will see this recognition as proof that their long-term investment is moving in the right direction.

Cornerback Darius Slay announced his retirement from professional football today. Over the course of more than a decade in the league, Slay built a career as a shutdown corner, a vocal leader, and a player whose personality matched his elite on-field production. He played for the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Steelers during his 13-year career. Slay made six Pro Bowl appearances, one All-Pro, and one Super Bowl victory.

Slay’s professional career began when the Lions selected him 36th overall in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He would play in Detroit from 2013 to 2019. His breakout came in 2017, when he led the NFL in interceptions and earned first-team All-Pro honors. In this time frame, he earned the nickname Big Play Slay. By the end of his tenure with the Lions, Slay had firmly established himself as an elite, shutdown corner and attracted the attention of the Eagles.

Entering the 2020 season, Slay’s career changed for the better. He was traded to the Eagles for several mid-round draft picks. Slay quickly adapted to the Philadelphia culture and became a leader on the field and a respected voice in the locker room. He and fellow corner James Bradberry helped transform the Eagles’ secondary from mediocre to elite, and within two years, Philly was in the Super Bowl.

Although they lost this Super Bowl, the Eagles came back in a short time. Slay’s greatest legacy may be teaching Cooper Dejean and Quinyon Mitchell. Both were taken in the 2024 draft and became undrafted high-impact rookies.

Slay played a big role in his development and led the Eagles to a defense that was top 5 in the league. The revamped secondary led Philly to a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The impact of his tutelage is still felt today, with Mitchell and Dejean widely regarded as elite defensive players, providing a ton of surplus value on their rookie contracts.

Unfortunately, due to cap reasons, Slay would be released from Philly and sent to Pittsburgh for his last season in the league. He started 9 games for the Steelers this season, and contributed in the playoffs as part of an experienced defense.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

The Denver Nuggets made a move on forward Spencer Jones just before NBA action resumed following the All-Star break.

The Nuggets needed enough players to meet the minimum player requirement on the roster, so the decision was made to convert Jones’ two-way deal into a standard contract for the remainder of the 2025–26 NBA season, as ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reports.

“The Nuggets are converting two-way forward Spencer Jones to a standard contract,” Siegel, formerly of the Ax, wrote in a social media post on Twitter.

It’s also worth noting that the 24-year-old Jones had already exceeded his limit of 50 games for a two-way player in the league.

Now that he is already guaranteed a roster spot for the remainder of the campaign, he simply needs to recover from his injury to return to active status. The former Stanford Cardinal player missed the Nuggets’ final three games before the break, although Denver managed to win two of those contests, including a 122–116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on February 11.

Signed by the Nuggets to a two-way deal as an undrafted contract through 2024, Jones has averaged 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds through 46 games this season. He has been quite dangerous from behind the 3-point line, where he is hitting downshots at a 41.1 percent success rate on 2.5 attempts from deep outings.

The Nuggets begin a three-game road trip after the break this Thursday when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with Jones expected to be in the lineup.

As the Miami Heat focused on restarting the season after the All-Star break, some business was done with the team, giving an undrafted standout a standard contract. Although the Heat are dealing with an inconsistent season, some standout things have happened, one of which is a two-way player in Myron Gardner who has been rewarded for his efforts.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Gardner and Miami have agreed to a standard three-year contract because he has played well as a two-way player. This contract now fills Miami’s 15th roster spot, which could be the maximum spot for a team, although a two-way opening has been cleared.

The other two-way player spots have been filled by Vladislav Goldin and Jahmir Young, as Gardner has recently seen expanded minutes under head coach Erik Spoelstra, especially due to some injuries the team has suffered. Gardner has started four times for the team, averaging 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists, while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 53.8 percent from three-point range.

In addition to his ability on the court, Gardner is known for the physicality, personality and energy he brings to the Heat, with Norman Powell explaining how beneficial this has been to him.

“Myron is a character. I love Myron. He’s always high energy, high octane,” Powell told ClutchPoints on January 18. “He’s always hitting and hitting you; it’s always a positive energy, positive light that comes from him. I’m encouraging everybody. Everybody around him is laughing and joking. But when he steps out there, he’s 125%, 150% every time. And we need that.”

Asked Norman Powell about the influence of Myron Gardner:

“Myron is a character, I love Myron. He’s always high energy, high octane… He’s encouraging everybody, everybody around him is laughing and joking, but when he steps out there, he’s 125%, 150% every time…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/2Ufy8RSgU1

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 18 January 2026

Heat’s Bam Adebayo needs teammates like Myron Gardner

As Gardner continues to anchor the Heat throughout the remainder of the season, he is doing the same with the team’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Active on the glass and making his presence felt, the 24-year-old has already earned respect from Miami, with captain Bam Adebayo emphasizing his important role.

“You need teammates like him, like throw him in the game, and he’ll play as hard as he can. But when Myron checks into the game, you feel a difference right away,” Adebayo said on Jan. 21.

Bam Adebayo on the “kid energy” that Myron Gardner has after a standout performance:

“I can’t describe Myron, but you need teammates like him. Throw him in the game and he’ll play as hard as possible.. When Myron checks into the game, you immediately feel a difference…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/h8RR8FaOqx

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 18 January 2026

At any rate, Gardner wants to be a part of helping the Heat turn their season around, which has them at 29-27, placing them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference as their next game is on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks.