<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Josh-Richardson-Celtics.jpg"></figure><h1>Rumor: Celtics, Mavs agree to Josh Richardson trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-30T17:23:48-07:00">July 30th, 5:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-30T17:35:40-07:00">July 30th, 5:35pm</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a freelance sports journalist and full-time editor for ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP, he's writing predictions across the European soccer and NBA world for bettors at Sports Betting Dime, one of the fastest-growing sports betting sites in North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Just a day after the 2021 NBA Draft concluded, the trades continue to happen throughout the league. <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1421261610367209475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1421261610367209475%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D1378008action%3Dedit">According to Shams Charania of The Athletic</a>, the Dallas Mavericks are sending swingman Josh Richardson to the Boston Celtics:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Dallas Mavericks are finalizing trading G/F Josh Richardson to the Boston Celtics, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@TheAthletic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@Stadium</a>. Richardson is exercising his $11.6 million player option for the 2021-22 season for the deal.</p><p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1421261610367209475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 31, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>As noted, Richardson is exercising his $11.6 million player option for the 2021/22 season. The Tennessee standout was a key piece of the Mavs rotation this past season and will be a nice addition to the Celtics. He averaged 12.1 points while starting 56 of the 59 games he appeared in.</p><p>While he did play mostly shooting guard for Dallas, he’s also capable of playing the wing. That’ll most definitely be valuable to Boston, who could use some more depth. It’s also important to note that Marcus Smart does play guard and his future with the Celtics is very unclear at the moment. With that being said, Richardson may be coming in to replace Smart.</p><p>Boston needs all the help they can get after a disappointing season where <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/boston-celtics/schedule">they were knocked out in the first round of the NBA playoffs</a> by the Brooklyn Nets. Injuries were also a huge problem, with Jaylen Brown missing the postseason while Jayson Tatum also spent time on the shelf with COVID-19.</p><p>This could be the start of a busy offseason for the Celtics.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rumor: Celtics, Mavs agree to Josh Richardson trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Tristan-Thompsons-net-worth-2021.jpeg"></figure><h1>Celtics trade update: Tristan Thompson re-routed to Kings, Delon Wright to Hawks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-30T14:57:58-07:00">July 30th, 2:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-30T16:07:49-07:00">July 30th, 4:07pm</time><address><a>Matthew Zemek</a>Matt Zemek has written for various sports websites and publications since 2001. He was the editor of the NBA site Crossover Chronicles in the 2016 NBA season. He was a contributing editor to the now-defunct site FanRag Sports in 2017. He currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The gears are turning for Brad Stevens. The coach-turned-executive of the Boston Celtics is wheeling and dealing. His Friday trade which initially seemed to be a two-team package has become a three-team deal. Earlier reports said that Boston had sent Tristan Thompson to the Atlanta Hawks <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/boston-celtics/news">on Friday</a> in exchange for Kris Dunn and Bruno Fernando <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1421224078824910852">plus a future</a> NBA draft pick. Dunn and Fernando are still headed to New England, but Thompson’s landing spot has changed. The Sacramento Kings will take him, and Delon Wright will go to the Hawks.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Celtics are trading Tristan Thompson to Atlanta for Kris Dunn, and a 2023 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.</p><p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1421224078824910852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 30, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">BRUNO FERNANDO is on his way to the Celtics, per sources.</p><p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1421226542445760516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 30, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Before the new reports of a three-way trade emerged, the deal had been noteworthy because the Hawks are dealing with a prolonged shoulder injury to their promising 2020 lottery pick, big man Onyeka Okongwu. Thompson — shipped by the Celtics — figured to be the backup to Clint Capela while Okongwu rehabs.</p><p>Now Thompson will go to Sacramento instead of Atlanta. Thompson gives the Kings a big body while they figure out what to do with Richaun Holmes. It increases speculation that Holmes might be on the move in the coming days.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kings get some quality insurance at center with the looming free agency of Richaun Holmes.</p><p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1421239704675135492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 30, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kings are acquiring Tristan Thompson and trading Delon Wright to Atlanta as part of a three-way deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@wojespn</a> <a href="https://t.co/egUgPzBgsB" target="_blank">https://t.co/egUgPzBgsB</a></p><p>— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BR_NBA/status/1421239243746078722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 30, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The Celtics face a more complicated situation with the arrival of Dunn. They recently dealt Kemba Walker and now have another ball-handler on their roster. We will see where Dunn fits into the picture in Boston.</p><p>The Celtics have Marcus Smart and young point guard Payton Pritchard in the fold. If you realize that the Hawks drafted Trae Young’s backup point guard Thursday night, taking Sharife Cooper with the No. 48 pick, it’s obvious they had no need for Dunn.</p><p>This raises the question: If Kris Dunn wasn’t good enough to be the main backup point guard for the Hawks, what does Stevens see in Dunn as a member of the Celtics? It’s true that Boston is getting three pieces in this three-way deal, but the return Boston will get on this investment doesn’t seem substantial.</p><p>It could easily be the case that the Celtics are making this move to set up another move in the coming weeks of free agency, so keep your eyes and ears open for chatter and player pursuits in Brad Stevens’ office.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics trade update: Tristan Thompson re-routed to Kings, Delon Wright to Hawks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Celtics-Free-Agency-NBA-Free-Agency-.jpeg"></figure><h1>4 best players the Celtics must sign in 2021 NBA free agency</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-30T07:46:52-07:00">July 30th, 7:46am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-30T07:47:17-07:00">July 30th, 7:47am</time><address><a>Tyler Ash</a>Tyler Ash is a freelance editorial writer for ClutchPoints. He contributed to two Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) books: 1986 Boston Red Sox: There Was More Than Game Six and Memorable Moments at Boston's Lost Diamond. He also wrote for SABR's website, Small Teaser Sports, The Cauldron, RantSports, and the Revere Journal. Tyler was a featured radio personality for WSOE's show, "One on One Sports."</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Celtics have already had a busy offseason. Danny Ainge <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-danny-ainge-current-life-outlook-explains-why-he-resigned/">stepped down from his longtime role</a> as President of Basketball Operations. Brad Stevens, who coached the team from 2013-2021, took over the position that Ainge had previously assumed.</p><p>Stevens’ first move brought Al Horford back to Boston—<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kemba-walker-traded-to-thunder-for-al-horford/">acquiring the five-time All-Star</a> big man from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a blockbuster trade. The Celtics also acquired center Moses Walker and a 2023 second-round pick from the Thunder in exchange for Kemba Walker, the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and a 2025 second-round selection.</p><p>From there, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-bold-boston-warning-to-nba-after-ime-udoka-hiring/">Stevens hired Ime Udoka</a>—a former assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets—as the 18 head coach in Celtics franchise history.</p><p>Devoid a first-round pick, the 2021 NBA Draft was a quiet one for the Celtics. They drafted shooting guard Juhann Begarin out of France with the 45th overall selection.</p><p>With free agency looming, the Celtics need to address some roster holes. Let’s look at some of the best realistic free agency options for Boston.</p><h2><b>Celtics Free Agency</b></h2><p><b>1. Evan Fournier</b></p><p>The Celtics’ first priority in free agency is to re-sign guard/forward Evan Fournier. They acquired Fournier from the Orlando Magic at last season’s trade deadline—using $17 million of the $28.5 million trade exception from the Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade to the Charlotte Hornets. The Celtics fully intend to ink Fournier to a new contract, which became an easier process financially after making the Horford-for-Walker swap with the Thunder. That move saved the Celtics $8 million in salary.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Celtics, per source, now believe they will have an easier time re-signing Evan Fournier, and still have a modest free agent goal of signing someone to the full mid-level extension.</p><p>— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) <a href="https://twitter.com/Murf56/status/1405985966020571139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">June 18, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Boston acquired Fournier’s Bird rights when they traded for the swingman, meaning the Celtics can go over the salary cap to re-sign him this offseason. His chances of remaining with the club, therefore, remain high.</p><p>Fournier played 16 games in the regular season with the Celtics, averaging 13 points on 46.3 percent three-point shooting. He missed nine games after testing positive for Covid-19. Fournier logged 15.4 points per contest on 43.3 percent three-point shooting in the Celtics’ opening-round series defeat to the Nets.</p><p>Assuming Fournier returns, he would serve in a sixth-man role for the Celtics in his age-29 season. He is a solid offensive player, capable of creating his own offense and knocking down shots from the outside consistently. Fournier’s offensive prowess was on display in France’s stunning victory over the United States in the Tokyo Olympics.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚨 OLYMPICS HIGHLIGHTS 🚨</p><p>🇫🇷 Evan Fournier (<a href="https://twitter.com/EvanFourmizz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@EvanFourmizz</a>) with game-high 28 points on 11-22 FG and some big shots in a France win against the USA ☘️ <a href="https://t.co/4JSIBGnpkk" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/4JSIBGnpkk</a></p><p>— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) <a href="https://twitter.com/Timi_093/status/1419320561952514054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 25, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Fournier, an unrestricted free agent, will have other suitors on the open market. The New York Knicks will reportedly look to poach the 6-foot-7 wing from the rival Celtics.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The New York Knicks are expected to pursue pending free agent Evan Fournier, per <a href="https://twitter.com/PompeyOnSixers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@PompeyOnSixers</a>. </p><p>Fournier dropped 28 points on Team USA in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tokyo2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Tokyo2020</a> Olympics a couple of days ago.</p><p>— Dionysis Aravantinos (@AravantinosDA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AravantinosDA/status/1420043099640840194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 27, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p><b>2. Patty Mills</b></p><p>After dealing away Kemba Walker, the Celtics need to look at adding point guards in free agency. The Celtics are reportedly <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-free-agency-rumors-lonzo-ball-bidding-war-brews-between-raptors-celtics-bulls/">interested in restricted free agent Lonzo Ball</a>. Given that Ball will command hefty money, the Celtics’ only realistic path to land Ball is via a sign-and-trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.</p><p>As it stands, Marcus Smart is the team’s presumptive starting point guard. Smart has been utilized more at the 2 for much of his career, however.</p><p>Payton Prichard is the only other point guard on the roster who saw consistent playing time with Boston last season. With the Celtics needing another ball handler, could they look at signing Patty Mills?</p><p>Mills has been a member of the San Antonio Spurs since 2012. He has a relationship with Celtics coach Ime Udoka, as the two spent seven seasons together when the latter served as an assistant for the Spurs.  Mills is apparently on the Celtics’ radar this summer.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Per source to <a href="https://twitter.com/HoopAnalysisNet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@HoopAnalysisNet</a>, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Celtics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Celtics</a> are a team to watch in free agency when it comes to point guard Patty Mills.</p><p>— Evan Massey (@massey_evan) <a href="https://twitter.com/massey_evan/status/1415460690387681280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 14, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>A 12-year veteran, Mills has built his reputation as a sparkplug off the bench. His per-game averages in 2020-21—10.8 points, 2.4 assists and 37.5 percent shooting on 3’s across 68 contests—do not jump off the page by any means. But he brings energy and a championship pedigree, winning an NBA title with the Spurs in 2014.</p><p>After earning $13.5 million last season in the final year of a four-year, $50 million pact with the Spurs, Mills is likely looking at a significant pay cut. The Spurs are rebuilding and Mills could look for a new fresh start elsewhere.</p><p>The Celtics need more production off the bench and Mills could provide that. He does not need the ball in his hands to succeed, which is crucial when sharing minutes with Jaylen Brown and Jayson—both of whom carry a huge offensive usage.</p><p>Mills could be brought to Boston via the midlevel exception, which would pay him $6 million annually. This is, of course, all dependent on Mills’ willingness to leave the Spurs, the club he has played for in each of the past 10 seasons.</p><p><b>3. Otto Porter Jr.</b></p><p>Once considered a franchise cornerstone for the Washington Wizards, forward Otto Porter Jr. is an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. As a restricted free agent in 2017, Porter Jr. was offered a four-year, $106.5 million contract with the Nets. The Wizards opted to match the offer sheet to retain Porter Jr.</p><p>Washington ultimately suffered a massive overpay with this contract. Porter Jr. was traded to the Chicago Bulls midway through the second year of his deal. Last season, the Bulls traded him to the Orlando Magic in a deal that landed them All-Star center Nikola Vučević.</p><p>Porter Jr. has battled knee injuries the past two seasons, appearing in a mere 42 games (13 starts). His struggle staying healthy is a major concern. On the flip side, the 6-foot-8 forward is only 28 and can defend multiple positions.</p><p>A knockdown shooter from downtown, Porter Jr. has made 40.2 percent of his career 3-pointers. His versatility as a defender could lure Stevens to add the former third overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft.</p><p><b>4. Elfrid Payton</b></p><p>Elfrid Payton Payton started in all 63 of his appearances last season with the Knicks. He is, admittedly, coming off the worst season as a pro—averaging 10.1 points with a career-low 3.2 assists per contest.  Before last year, the 2014 first-round pick had averaged 6+ assists in each season of his career. With his stock down, the Celtics could potentially add the 27-year-old at a discount price in free agency.</p><p>As a veteran, pass-first guard, Payton could be a worthwhile addition for the Celtics. He would be used as reserve for the Celtics, who need plenty of reinforcements for their bench.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

4 best players the Celtics must sign in 2021 NBA free agency

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/image_2021-07-30_103942.png"></figure><h1>RUMOR: Lonzo Ball bidding war brews between Raptors, Celtics, Bulls</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-29T19:41:02-07:00">July 29th, 7:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-29T19:41:02-07:00">July 29th, 7:41pm</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/@rpsalao">R.P. Salao</a>Check out my best stuff on Medium - medium.com/@rpsalao.I also post quality NBA YouTube content - tinyurl.com/SalaoYouTube.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NBA offseason has been all about star point guards switching teams. From hypotheticals in Damian Lillard and Chris Paul, to actualities in Russell Westbrook, trying to get a shiny, new star PG is in vogue right now. Lonzo Ball is one name that could be in line for a big pay day and a new jersey as well.</p><p>The Athletic’s Shams Charania <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium/status/1420924032480862212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1420924032480862212%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost-new.php">reports</a> that Lonzo Ball’s services are in high demand. The former New Orleans Pelicans guard and current NBA free agent is rumored to be drawing major interest from three playoff contenders out East – the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and Boston Celtics.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chicago, Boston and Toronto are expected to show interest in RFA point guard Lonzo Ball, per our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#NBA</a> Insider <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@ShamsCharania</a>, presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/ATT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@ATT</a> 5G. <a href="https://t.co/qlN2L7Ey3w" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/qlN2L7Ey3w</a></p><p>— Stadium (@Stadium) <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium/status/1420924032480862212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 30, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The New Orleans Pelicans have been trying to free up space in order to afford to keep their starting point guard from last season. But it looks like it’ll cost them a pretty penny to do so. Shams puts the salary number at around $21-22 million for Lonzo Ball. While the Pels have every intention of retaining him, especially after sending away their other starter in Eric Bledsoe, that price point definitely has them thinking twice.</p><p>Lonzo Ball has been in the league for four years already, but still brings immense potential to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/pelicans-rumors-one-big-hint-lonzo-ball-is-done-in-new-orleans/">whichever team he lands on</a> in NBA free agency.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

RUMOR: Lonzo Ball bidding war brews between Raptors, Celtics, Bulls

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jayson-Tatum-slams-Simone-Biles-hater-who-called-Olympian-a-_selfish-sociopath_.jpg"></figure><h1>Jayson Tatum slams Simone Biles hater who called Olympian a ‘selfish sociopath’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-27T18:53:34-07:00">July 27th, 6:53pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-27T20:57:52-07:00">July 27th, 8:57pm</time><address><a>Angelo Guinhawa</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum came to the defense of USA Gymnastics star Simone Biles, who withdrew from the team final competition on Tuesday to focus on her mental health.</p><p>While Biles <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/olympics-news-aly-raisman-laurie-hernandez-react-simone-biles-pulling-out-competition/" rel="noopener">got a lot of support</a> for her decision, especially from her former USA Gymnastics teammates like Aly Raisman and Laurie Hernandez, there were also more than a few who criticized her for the shocking exit. One of which is Conservative activist and radio talk show host Charlie Kirk, who called Biles a “selfish sociopath.”</p><p>Kirk simply didn’t stop there, as he blamed Biles for USA’s <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/olympics-news-usa-gymnastics-overcomes-simone-biles-stunning-exit-medal/" rel="noopener">silver medal finish</a>, with Russia taking the gold. He then called the Olympian a “shame to the country,” noting that the nation is raising “weak people” like the 24-year-old.</p><p>Tatum saw the commentary and couldn’t hold back as he <a href="https://twitter.com/jaytatum0/status/1420185879352471553" rel="noopener">defended Biles</a>. The Celtics star keep it classy, though, adding that Biles is a hero and should be treated like one.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Is it that hard to be supportive and empathetic to what others are going through? This is someone’s daughter and her health your referring to. Wonder if he has kids and how he would feel as a parent someone talking about his kids this way. Cause I’d be DAMNED. Simone is a hero! <a href="https://t.co/kJWnXK2tlk" target="_blank">https://t.co/kJWnXK2tlk</a></p><p>— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaytatum0/status/1420185879352471553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 28, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>For those not in the know, Simone Biles had to withdraw for what USA Gymnastics called a “medical issue.” She had an awkward landing from her vault exercise before being attended by a trainer and leaving. She returned later on to cheer for her teammates.</p><p>While everyone thought it’s a physical issue, Biles <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/olympics-news-simone-biles-reveals-withdrawal-wasnt-due-physical-injury/" rel="noopener">later revealed</a> it’s because of her mental health.</p><blockquote>“Physically, I feel good, I’m in shape,” Biles told Hoda Kotb on TODAY. “Emotionally, that kind of varies on the time and moment. Coming to the Olympics and being head star isn’t an easy feat, so we’re just trying to take it one day at a time and we’ll see.”</blockquote><p>The mental health of athletes has been talked about in recent years, but clearly, a lot of people still don’t understand the pressure athletes go through during competitions. As Jayson Tatum said it, people could have been more “supportive and empathetic.”</p><p>Besides, Simone Biles has already brought a ton of honor to USA. For anyone who needs any reminding, she has four Olympic and 19 World Championships gold medals.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jayson Tatum slams Simone Biles hater who called Olympian a ‘selfish sociopath’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Thunder-Kemba-Walker-.jpeg"><figcaption>Wow!</figcaption></figure><h1>Rumors: Thunder outlook on Kemba Walker trade before next season, revealed</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-27T08:50:10-07:00">July 27th, 8:50am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-27T08:50:10-07:00">July 27th, 8:50am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Back in June, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kemba-walker-traded-to-thunder-for-al-horford/">the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Kemba Walker and a first-round draft pick from the Celtics</a> so that Boston could salary dump the guard elsewhere. At the time, most expected OKC to move Walker somewhere else, knowing that they were just trying to stack up another draft pick by making the move. Now, there appears to be more clarity on the topic, via Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">There’s also an expectation in Oklahoma City’s front office, sources said, that barring a positive medical, the Thunder will be able to move Kemba Walker for additional future assets prior to the start of this season. <a href="https://t.co/e6APaJ2WML" target="_blank">https://t.co/e6APaJ2WML</a></p><p>— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer/status/1420034222094495758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 27, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The Thunder have been wheeling and dealing to stack up draft capital for a couple of years now. Acquiring Kemba Walker with a first-round pick strapped to the deal was just the latest. The intrigue will come in what teams will be interested in making a deal with OKC for the veteran guard.</p><p>The Thunder are set to have a busy offseason as they have cap flexibility along with six draft picks, including three in the top 18. Add onto that now the ongoing speculation surrounding Walker.</p><p>Walker played in just 43 games last season while battling injuries off and on throughout the year. <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/walkeke02.html">In those 43 games played, the then Celtics guard averaged 19.3 points per game and 4.9 assists</a> per pop on 36% from three-point range.</p><p>It’s worth noting that Fischer mentioned in his tweet that the Thunder should be able to move Walker pending a positive medical review. That could end up being a bigger headline than what most realize.</p><p>With the draft and free agency coming up, expect the Thunder to stay extremely busy while Sam Presti continues to try and work his magic.</p><p> </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rumors: Thunder outlook on Kemba Walker trade before next season, revealed

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/celtics-rumors-bostons-stance-in-trading-jaylen-brown-for-bradley-beal.jpg"></figure><h1>RUMOR: Celtics’ stance in trading Jaylen Brown for Bradley Beal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-25T19:52:07-07:00">July 25th, 7:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-25T19:52:07-07:00">July 25th, 7:52pm</time><address><a>Angelo Guinhawa</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Celtics have been rumored as one of the preferred destinations of Bradley Beal if he decides to request a trade from the Washington Wizards. However, actually making a deal for it is another matter. After all, any Beal trade to Beantown would probably require Jaylen Brown.</p><p>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisgrenham/status/1419353349049225222" rel="noopener">Zach Lowe during the Woj &amp; Lowe Free Agency Special</a>, it doesn’t look like the Celtics would be willing to offer Brown just to get Beal.</p><blockquote>“Is Boston going to offer Jaylen Brown? I don’t think so,” Lowe said. “To me there’s not much point in giving up one star for another, if you’re Boston.”</blockquote><p>Bradley Beal and Celtics star Jayson Tatum are close friends, which is probably one of the reasons why the trade for the Wizards star seems to be appealing. Nonetheless, Lowe certainly makes a great point since Jaylen Brown is just as talented and four years younger. Not to mention that he’s coming off an All-Star year.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Zach Lowe just now on ESPN's Woj &amp; Lowe special regarding Bradley Beal: </p><p>"Is Boston going to offer Jaylen Brown? I don't think so." <a href="https://t.co/eOvSv7Tu7u" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/eOvSv7Tu7u</a></p><p>— Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisgrenham/status/1419353349049225222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 25, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Tatum, for his part, appears to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-is-jayson-tatum-recruiting-bradley-beal-to-boston/" rel="noopener">endorse the possibility</a> of trading for Beal. In a recent Instagram comment on the news about the Wizards guard potentially asking for a trade, Tatum hinted that he wants his good friend alongside him in Beantown.</p><p>Beal has not yet made a decision regarding his future, but should he desire for a change in scenery where he can compete for a championship, Celtics fans should not get their hopes up.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

RUMOR: Celtics’ stance in trading Jaylen Brown for Bradley Beal

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Evan-Fournier-Team-USA-France-Olympics.jpg"></figure><h1>France star Evan Fournier takes savage shot at Team USA after heroic Olympics performance</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-25T09:25:01-07:00">July 25th, 9:25am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-25T09:25:45-07:00">July 25th, 9:25am</time><address><a>Johnny Recks</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Olympics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The internet is having a good time <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/team-usa-news-gregg-popovich-brutally-honest-take-loss-france-olympics/">Sunday</a> at the expense of Team USA after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/players/kevin-durant/b0360985">Kevin Durant</a> and company lost to Evan Fournier and  <i>Les Bleus</i> in a group stage match in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to the tune of an 83-76 score. It was the first Olympic loss for the Americans since 2004, and serves as a reason to feel seriously concerned about whether Team USA has what it takes to win the gold in Japan.</p><p>If you ask Fournier, the Americans’  Olympics unit is a case of a whole being less than the sum of its parts, per Ben Golliver of the <i>Washington Post</i>:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">France's Evan Fournier after beating USA Basketball in Tokyo Olympic opener: "They are better individually but they can be beaten as a team."</p><p>— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/1419307923549814784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 25, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Fournier came up big for the French, as the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/boston-celtics">Boston Celtics</a> shooting guard erupted for 28 points on 11-of-22 shooting from the field, while <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/players/rudy-gobert/b1c109da">Rudy Gobert</a> and Nando de Colo had 14 and 13 points, respectively against Team USA.</p><p>Man for man, Team USA certainly has a huge advantage in terms of talents over France’s roster, but the latter simply showed better execution in the clutch and more accurate shooting. France’s win also reinforces the idea that the world has finally caught up on the Americans — or at least that the French now have the number of Team USA. It could be remembered that it was also France that eliminated the United States in the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.</p><p>The good news for Team USA is that the loss to France doesn’t take it out of contention for the gold. The Americans will look to recover on <a href="https://www.usab.com/mens/national-team/schedule.aspx">Wednesday</a> against Iran.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

France star Evan Fournier takes savage shot at Team USA after heroic Olympics performance

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/celtics-news-is-jayson-tatum-recruiting-bradley-beal-to-boston.jpg"></figure><h1>Is Jayson Tatum recruiting Bradley Beal to the Celtics?</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-24T16:54:26-07:00">July 24th, 4:54pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-24T16:54:26-07:00">July 24th, 4:54pm</time><address><a>Angelo Guinhawa</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It sure looks like Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum wants to have Bradley Beal alongside him in Beantown. He hinted as much in his latest Instagram activity.</p><p>On Saturday, internet personality Famous Los <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRubssDhshq/" rel="noopener">posted a video reaction</a> on the rumors that the Golden State Warriors have Beal at the top of their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-rumors-stephen-curry-klay-thompson-urging-dubs-to-trade-for-bradley-beal/" rel="noopener">wishlist</a>. Add to that the rumors the Washington Wizards guard <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-rumors-bradley-beal-eyes-golden-state-as-ideal-trade-destination/" rel="noopener">would actually welcome</a> going to Bay Area to pair up with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.</p><p>Interestingly though, Tatum saw the post and made sure to ruin Famous Los’ mood with a <a href="https://twitter.com/MainTeamSports/status/1419069694867345409" rel="noopener">rather simple but juicy response</a>. The Celtics star commented a “shamrock” emoji–one of the symbols of the Boston franchise–to indicate that he wants Beal in green.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tatum commented “☘️” under FamousLos Beal trade request video. Looks like he wants him in Green. <a href="https://t.co/d9lOEEbOYq" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/d9lOEEbOYq</a></p><p>— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/MainTeamSports/status/1419069694867345409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Although Jayson Tatum didn’t say anything, his comment certainly speaks volumes. It will also only fuel more trade speculations amid the uncertainty of Bradley Beal’s future in Washington.</p><p>For what it’s worth, it came after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-rumors-boston-chances-in-trading-for-bradley-beal-revealed/" rel="noopener">rumors surfaced</a> that Beal would also love to join the Celtics and pair up with Tatum if ever he decides to request a trade from the Wizards. The two have been friends for a long time now and Boston would also be an ideal destination where the 28-year-old explosive scorer can actually compete for a title.</p><p>While it’s all rumors and speculations now, a Beal trade to the Celtics certainly won’t be surprising if it happens this offseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Is Jayson Tatum recruiting Bradley Beal to the Celtics?

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/celtics-rumors-bostons-chances-in-trading-for-bradley-beal-revealed.jpg"></figure><h1>RUMOR: Celtics’ chances in trading for Bradley Beal, revealed</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-24T15:49:08-07:00">July 24th, 3:49pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-24T15:49:08-07:00">July 24th, 3:49pm</time><address><a>Angelo Guinhawa</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Bradley Beal’s future with the Washington Wizards is now in the spotlight, with recent reports indicating that he’s <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-rumors-bradley-beal-brewing-decision-to-ask-for-trade/" rel="noopener">considering asking for a trade</a>. One of his preferred destinations is said to be the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/boston-celtics">Boston Celtics</a> where he’ll get to play with Jayson Tatum.</p><p>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/JDumasReports/status/1418976724306386944" rel="noopener">Jason Dumars of Bleacher Report</a>, joining the Celtics would not only reunite Beal with his childhood friend in Tatum but also get a chance to compete for a championship.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Source: If Brad Beal does in fact move forward and request a trade, Boston would be a preferred destination to play with longtime friend Jayson Tatum and compete for a championship.</p><p>— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDumasReports/status/1418976724306386944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Now, it is important to note that Bradley Beal hasn’t asked for a trade yet. In fact, reports said that it’s only a possibility and he’s yet to make a decision. Moreover, the Celtics are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-rumors-bradley-beal-eyes-golden-state-as-ideal-trade-destination/" rel="noopener">not his only options</a> if ever he wants to be traded, as he would also reportedly welcome going to the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/golden-state-warriors">Golden State Warriors</a>, Miami Heat or <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/philadelphia-76ers">Philadelphia 76ers</a>.</p><p>Of course, the Jayson Tatum connection is a big factor in Beal’s rumored desire to be traded to the Celtics. However, the Beantown team would probably need to part ways with their second All-Star in Jaylen Brown to make a Beal deal work.</p><p>It remains to be seen what Beal will decide to do regarding his future in the NBA, but there’s no doubt it will be intriguing what he can accomplish alongside Tatum in Boston.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

RUMOR: Celtics’ chances in trading for Bradley Beal, revealed

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Lakers-Kyle-Kuzma-Jayson-Tatum.jpeg"><figcaption>Whoa!</figcaption></figure><h1>Rumors: Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma’s bonkers hot take comparing himself to Jayson Tatum</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-23T08:35:14-07:00">July 23rd, 8:35am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-23T08:35:14-07:00">July 23rd, 8:35am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It was a season of disappointment and injury for the Los Angeles Lakers that saw them exit in the first round of the NBA playoffs via the Phoenix Suns. The season for Kyle Kuzma individually was a roller coaster ride on the court that saw some high spots and plenty of deflating performances.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-rumors-las-trade-plan-for-kyle-kuzma-dennis-schroder-revealed/">With his future in LA uncertain</a> and the Lakers potentially looking to make moves in the offseason that could send Kuzma elsewhere, one wild comparison has been floated out via <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chatting-cap-scenarios-potential-moves-by-lakers-eric/id1459770554?i=1000529694211">“The Lakerside Chats”</a> podcast. The comparison is one that Kuzma may have made himself.</p><blockquote>“I think that Kyle Kuzma perceives himself as someone like Jayson Tatum,” said Eric Pincus on a recent episode of the Lakerside Chats podcast. “I think that’s how he views himself. And that’s great. You should view yourself as one of the best young players in the league.”</blockquote><p>While it’s true that it’s good to aim high and compare yourself to greats, this one from the Lakers forward seems just a tad off.</p><p>Let’s start with the Jayson Tatum side of things. Tatum is a two-time NBA All-Star, made the all-pro third team this past year and is representing Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics.</p><p>Kuzma’s best accolade outside of the title the Lakers won was when he made the 2018 NBA All-Rookie Team. He has not all-star appearances, no all-NBA recognition and he is a secondary contributor for LA. Tatum is the main guy in Boston for the Celtics.</p><p>To take it one step further, Kuzma averaged 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game this past season for the Lakers. Tatum averaged 26.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest. Not exactly an apples to apples comparison.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rumors: Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma’s bonkers hot take comparing himself to Jayson Tatum

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jayson-Tatum-Jaylen-Brown-Chris-Paul-Julius-Randle-Celtics.jpg"></figure><h1>2 unrealistic trades the Celtics should actually make</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-22T23:23:11-07:00">July 22nd, 11:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-22T23:23:11-07:00">July 22nd, 11:23pm</time><address><a>Virgil Villanueva</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Celtics were one of the underperformers in the NBA this season. They had two All-Stars in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum backed by a solid support group and a great coach in Brad Stevens. Yet they struggled all season and as expected, bowed down in the NBA Playoffs.</p><p>Some analysts have suggest that the Celtics should get rid of Brown. The swingman is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/players/jaylen-brown/b56809d9/stats">an absolute beast</a>. He has turned into a complete player but he seems to have turned into a mirror of Tatum, which isn’t necessarily good for the Celtics’ chemistry.</p><p>As such, the Celtics should pursue trades, no matter how unrealistic, with Brown as the main piece. It will be a long shot as the Celtics need someone who can guide their squad to a deep postseason run. And this player will come at a value much higher than Brown’s worth.</p><h2><b>Celtics get: Chris Paul</b></h2><h2><b>Suns get: Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart</b></h2><p>The mention of Chris Paul’s name alone in trade talks is ridiculous. After all, the Phoenix Suns would want to have the Point God back next season after leading them to the NBA Finals. He boosted the development of the Suns’ young guns and maintained a high level of play at 36 years old.</p><p>Paul will become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason which means that any transaction that involves him would have to be a sign-and-trade. Also, rumors reveal that the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2021/7/21/22587134/nba-free-agency-rumors-lakers-sign-chris-paul-lebron-james-best-friend-contract-suns">Los Angeles Lakers are interested</a> in his services. LeBron James and crew are in dire need of a point guard as talks with Dennis Schroder aren’t going that well. And we all know Paul is a very good friend of LeBron. Apart from that, the Lakers are a powerhouse squad. Paul would be once again closer to his dream of finally embracing an NBA trophy.</p><p>At this point in the Celtics’ development, a player with Paul’s stature is what they need. The Celtics should completely ignore the realities surrounding Paul now and just offer a trade package. By now, given what CP3 has done with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Suns, the Celtics know that he will at least lead them to a deep postseason run. After all, it’s not as if the Celtics are a trash team. They have a very potent roster. Paul will be the one who will unlock their talents.</p><h2><b>Celtics get: Julius Randle</b></h2><h2><b>Knicks get: Jaylen Brown</b></h2><p>Julius Randle is obviously the franchise guy for the New York Knicks right now. It was good to see him finally bloom into the All-Star that he is after some struggles early on. Apart from this, the Knicks have absolutely no reason to press the reset button after their early exit in the NBA Playoffs. The 2020-21 season was just the first step of the long process to become contenders.</p><p>This is what makes this deal difficult for the Celtics. But at the same time, this isn’t entirely impossible as Brown himself could turn into a franchise guy for the Knicks. His rise to becoming the face of a team may have been hampered by the presence of Tatum. And if you look at the playing styles of Randle and Brown, they actually have some similarities. Brown seems to have a better grasp of the outside game, but he can absolutely get down and dirty in the paint if he wants to. This will make it easier for Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau as he won’t have to make wild adjustments.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2 unrealistic trades the Celtics should actually make

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jayson-Tatum-Ime-Udoka-Celtics-Team-USA.jpg"></figure><h1>Jayson Tatum reacts to viral clip of him smoking Celtics coach Ime Udoka at Team USA practice</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-22T21:41:54-07:00">July 22nd, 9:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-22T21:41:54-07:00">July 22nd, 9:41pm</time><address><a>Paolo Mariano</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Ime Udoka hasn’t made his NBA debut yet for the Boston Celtics but he’s already spending quality time with his superstar Jayson Tatum.</p><p>Tatum is in his second stint with Team USA, where Udoka serves as assistant coach to his longtime mentor Gregg Popovich.  A video of Udoka guarding Tatum in practice recently went viral, with the Celtics main man repeatedly scoring over his new coach.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ime Udoka guarding Jayson Tatum during practice 👀<a href="https://t.co/cigjQ5NrrO" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/cigjQ5NrrO</a></p><p>— Guy Boston Sports (@GuyBostonSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/GuyBostonSports/status/1416369744291192832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 17, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>When asked by reporters about it, the 23-year-old Tatum didn’t bite his lip in shading the new Celtics drillmaster (via <a href="https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2021/07/22/jayson-tatum-ime-udoka-olympics-practice/">Boston.com</a>).</p><blockquote>“He was trying to guard me. He didn’t have too much luck. We were just getting some extra work in after practice. He put me through some drills, getting some extra shots up.”</blockquote><p>Watch it, Tatum. You might get extra suicide drills once the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/boston-celtics/roster">Celtics training camp</a> begins.</p><p>For the millennials out there, Udoka was actually an elite defender during his playing days, most notably with the San Antonio Spurs. His strong physique, wide frame, and high IQ made him a very capable stopper for Popovich. Udoka was instrumental in those deep Spurs runs alongside Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.</p><p>Many expect Udoka to do wonders for Tatum, who has developed into a pretty decent one-on-one defender. And it’s good that the two-time All-Star is already building a special relationship with Udoka, even comfortable enough already to blurt a little joke.</p><p>Ime Udoka and Jayson Tatum will try to win a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics before rolling up their sleeves for another NBA grind.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jayson Tatum reacts to viral clip of him smoking Celtics coach Ime Udoka at Team USA practice

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/New-York-facing-free-agency-threat-from-Sixers-Celtics.jpg"></figure><h1>RUMOR: Knicks facing free agency threat from Sixers, Celtics, Lakers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-21T21:31:16-07:00">July 21st, 9:31pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-21T21:31:16-07:00">July 21st, 9:31pm</time><address><a>Angelo Guinhawa</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New York Knicks are hoping to improve their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/new-york-knicks/roster" rel="noopener">roster</a> through the draft and free agency this 2021 offseason, but it looks like they have to make sure they’ll be able to keep their core first.</p><p>According to <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/07/21/knicks-reggie-bullock-drawing-interest-from-celtics-76ers/" rel="noopener">Marc Berman of the New York Post</a>, the Knicks are in danger of losing starting shooting guard/small forward Reggie Bullock in free agency. After a solid season in which he started 64 games and averaged 10.9 points on 44.2 percent shooting, the 31-year-old is expected to ask for a rather significant pay raise.</p><p>It remains to be seen if the Knicks want to retain him since it’s likely he’ll command the $9.2 million full mid-level exception. However, they need to make a decision rather quickly since the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are said to be interested in Bullock’s services.</p><p>The Los Angeles Lakers are also reported to have some interest and could make a run to lure him back to LA. Bullock played for the Purple and Gold midway through the 2018-19 season after the team traded for him from the Detroit Pistons.</p><p>New York will surely have some tough decisions to make. After experiencing the playoffs for the first time in eight years, they would want to keep contending in the postseason and for the championship. Nonetheless, with the way the team is currently constructed, they will need to make some key additions to elevate themselves further.</p><p>Whether Reggie Bullock is part of that future is unknown, but the Knicks should be making their decision sooner rather than later.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

RUMOR: Knicks facing free agency threat from Sixers, Celtics, Lakers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Raptors-Kemba-Walker.jpg"></figure><h1>The perfect trade Raptors must offer Thunder for Kemba Walker</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-19T08:51:38-07:00">July 19th, 8:51am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-19T08:53:14-07:00">July 19th, 8:53am</time><address><a>Immanuel Canicosa</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After an unceremonious first-round exit at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets, the Boston Celtics pulled the trigger as they headed into the offseason, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31659124/boston-celtics-trading-kemba-walker-2021-first-rounder-oklahoma-city-thunder-sources-say">trading All-Star point guard Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder</a>. Aside from Walker, the Celtics also sent a 2021 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick and received veteran Al Horford, young big man Moses Brown, and a 2023 second-round pick. Could the Toronto Raptors be one of the teams to try and trade for Walker?</p><p>Even though he is coming off a season where he missed several games due to injury and struggled to be consistent, Walker remains one of the league’s best guards when healthy. In his second season in Boston, the 31-year-old averaged 19.3 points, four rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 42% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc. However, he was limited by knee injuries and played just 43 games last season before being shipped to the Thunder.</p><p>If a team wants to pry the four-time All-Star from the Thunder, they will do so knowing that the injuries that have plagued his time with the Celtics could return. But any team who trades for the UConn product will also get a veteran guard who can create and make shots, which can be too good to pass up. With a backcourt of Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., and Malachi Flynn, the Raptors don’t seem to be a team in need of Walker’s services.</p><p>But with Lowry becoming a free agent, there’s a chance that his almost decade-long stint in the North could end and the 35-year-old could play for a different team next season. Should that happen, VanVleet is expected to fill in the six-time All-Star’s shoes, but adding a player of Walker’s caliber wouldn’t hurt. This is especially true for<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/toronto-raptors/roster"> a Raptors team</a> that is coming off a disappointing 27-45 season that saw the franchise miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-2013 season.</p><p>Fortunately, their 2020-2021 campaign also gave the Raptors the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft later this month, which they can use to select a young player. Toronto could select players like NBA G-League guard Jalen Green, Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs, or USC big man Evan Mobley as their next franchise cornerstone. Having a veteran like Walker on their team could give a guard like Green or Suggs time to adjust to the NBA and their roles, which is important for a young player.</p><p>However, the Thunder will not part ways with their newly-acquired guard without receiving an enticing trade package, which they could get from several teams. However, a package of OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher, and a future first-round pick could be enough for Sam Presti and the OKC front office and pave the way for an intriguing backcourt of VanVleet, Walker, and Green or Suggs. Walker’s lucrative contract that he signed with the Hornets may cause some to balk at this trade, but it’s a deal that should benefit both teams, especially the Raptors. In Anunoby and Boucher, the Thunder will get two players that should fit in with the rest of their young squad plus a coveted future pick that only adds to Presti’s war chest of draft assets.</p><p>The Raptors, meanwhile, will likely be invigorated with the addition of Walker should Lowry depart, and with VanVleet, Siakam, and whoever they select with the fourth overall pick. In an Eastern Conference that continues to improve every season, Toronto will be back in the thick of the playoff race with Walker and their new draft pick. And there’s no doubt that their veteran point guard can still perform at a high level when healthy and will be highly motivated after an underwhelming two-year stint with the Celtics.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The perfect trade Raptors must offer Thunder for Kemba Walker

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/image_2021-07-18_011303.png"></figure><h1>VIDEO: Jayson Tatum can’t stop dropping buckets on new Celtics coach Ime Udoka</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-17T10:26:23-07:00">July 17th, 10:26am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-17T10:26:23-07:00">July 17th, 10:26am</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/@rpsalao">R.P. Salao</a>Check out my best stuff on Medium - medium.com/@rpsalao.I also post quality NBA YouTube content - tinyurl.com/SalaoYouTube.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>If there’s one thing you can rely on from Jayson Tatum, it’s that the man knows how to get a bucket. The Boston Celtics forward showed exactly that to his new coach Ime Udoka.</p><p>The two were running one-on-one drills during a Team USA training session, and Tatum just couldn’t help himself from getting bucket after bucket on the new Celtics coach.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">JT vs Coach U 🇺🇸☘️</p><p>🎥 <a href="https://twitter.com/usabasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@usabasketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/UXWvB4Q6kX" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/UXWvB4Q6kX</a></p><p>— Boston Celtics (@celtics) <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1416405042828038147?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">July 17, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Although it’s never fun getting scored on, Ime Udoka was probably delighted to see just how lethal of an offensive weapon Jayson Tatum is for the Celtics. Udoka has previously spoken on how excited he is to be coaching up two rising young stars in Tatum and Jaylen Brown.</p><p><a href="https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2021/07/17/watch-jayson-tatum-ime-udoka-battle-usa-basketball-practice/">Via</a> Boston.com’s Trevor Hass:</p><blockquote>“What I keep going back to is the talent,” Udoka said. “When you have two young pillars at that age, the sky is the limit. That’s what it starts with. You’re only as good as your players, and where you push them to get to.”</blockquote><p>The feeling was definitely mutual, as Jayson Tatum has also expressed how optimistic he is with Udoka now at the helm.</p><blockquote>“Extremely happy about Ime,” <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/12/sports/with-new-coach-fresh-motivation-celtics-star-jayson-tatum-wants-be-one-leagues-best/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tatum told <i>The Boston Globe</i>‘s Gary Washburn</a>. “I’ve known him for a little while. He’s extremely motivated and I think everybody has a good feeling about this. I think this is going to be great.”</blockquote><p>This definitely <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/boston-celtics/records">won’t be the last time</a> Ime Udoka will get scored on in practice by Jayson Tatum. Better get used to it, coach.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

VIDEO: Jayson Tatum can’t stop dropping buckets on new Celtics coach Ime Udoka

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/team-usa-rumors-jayson-tatum-stars-reveal-true-feelings-on-fiba-officiating.jpg"></figure><h1>Jayson Tatum, Team USA stars reveal true feelings on FIBA officiating</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-16T17:58:57-07:00">July 16th, 5:58pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-16T18:03:57-07:00">July 16th, 6:03pm</time><address><a>Eddy Maria</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In the NBA, everyone knows all the issues with the refs. From blatant missed calls to flopping across the court, no one is ever happy with the officiating. As it turns out, the same issue extends across the border – and Team USA is speaking out about it.</p><p>In an article by <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics-there-is-cause-for-concern-but-not-panic-time-for-team-usa-mens-basketball-152138538.html">Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports</a>, players were reportedly unhappy with the way FIBA referees were officiating their exhibition games.</p><blockquote>Throughout the games, multiple players, from <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/players/jayson-tatum/a6dc0929">Jayson Tatum</a> to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/players/bradley-beal/b2db0999">Bradley Beal</a>, have been staring down the officials following no-calls as they’re accustomed to receiving touch fouls or star-treatment officiating in the NBA.</blockquote><p>Playing internationally, Team USA has started to realize officials aren’t quite as lenient abroad. For example, Jayson Tatum drew an offensive foul for pushing off a defender as he drove to the rim. Normally, it’s a run-of-the-mill play in the NBA, but to FIBA, it’s simply excessive contact. Considering how reliant some players have become on heading to the charity stripe, the disparity in calls has ended up deterring the national team.</p><p>On the flip side, Team USA seems unaware of FIBA’s rules, particularly regarding goaltending. In international play, a defensive player is free to swat away any ball bouncing around the rim, a strategy considering blatant goaltending in the NBA. Team USA even saw it employed against them in their exhibition game against Nigeria; at the free-throw line, Nigeria often knocked away any balls at the rim, eventually becoming key in their 90-87 upset victory.</p><p>For all the obstacles the Olympic team has faced, a simple comprehension of the rules is necessary. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/team-usa-news-usa-australia-game-canceled-amid-bradley-beal-jerami-grant-covid-19-issues/">losing numerous players</a> and dropping consecutive games, USA needs any edge they can get. Before all that, though, they need to play smart.</p><p>The world’s eyes are watching. Let’s go Team USA.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jayson Tatum, Team USA stars reveal true feelings on FIBA officiating

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jayson-Tatum_s-status-after-knee-injury-scare-amid-roster-drama.jpg"></figure><h1>Jayson Tatum’s status after knee injury scare amid Team USA roster drama</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-16T07:39:25-07:00">July 16th, 7:39am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-16T07:40:30-07:00">July 16th, 7:40am</time><address><a>Jason Patt</a>Jason Patt has been an editor at ClutchPoints since 2018. He also covers the Bulls for Forbes and SB Nation's Blog a Bull. In addition, he co-hosts Cash Considerations: A Chicago Bulls Podcast for the Blue Wire Network. If you couldn't tell, he's from Chicago.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/boston-celtics">Boston Celtics</a> star <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/players/jayson-tatum/a6dc0929">Jayson Tatum</a> didn’t suit up for Team USA in their last exhibition game against Argentina <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/team-usa-news-jayson-tatum-hit-with-key-injury-amid-shocking-losing-streak/" rel="noopener">due to a sore right knee.</a> While the last few days have been a mess for the Americans with their roster situation, the good news is Tatum was back at practice Thursday and participating in full, <a href="https://theathletic.com/2709903/2021/07/15/bradley-beal-olympics-team-usa-replacement/?source=emp_shared_article" rel="noopener">per The Athletic’s Joe Vardon.</a></p><p>Tatum’s injury was never believed to be all that serious, but it’s still good to see him back out there at full strength already. This is especially true with some of the Team USA roster turmoil going on. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/players/bradley-beal/b2db0999">Bradley Beal</a> <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/team-usa-news-bradley-beal-out-of-tokyo-olympics-due-to-health-and-safety-protocols/" rel="noopener">is out of the Olympics</a> because of health and safety protocols, while Jerami Grant is in the protocols for precautionary reasons. The hope is Grant will be good to go for the Olympics, but it’s not certain just yet.</p><p>Tatum is expected to play a key role for Team USA in Tokyo. He started the first game against Nigeria and then played 27 minutes off the bench against Australia. With Tatum out against Argentina, Zach LaVine got the start in his place.</p><p>Team USA’s next game is scheduled to come against Spain on Sunday. There was supposed to be a rematch against Australia on Friday, but that was canceled due to the COVID-19 issues. It looks like Jayson Tatum should be back for the next game.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jayson Tatum’s status after knee injury scare amid Team USA roster drama

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Nuggets-Kemba-Walker-Thunder.jpeg"></figure><h1>The perfect trade Nuggets must offer Thunder for Kemba Walker</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-15T05:10:26-07:00">July 15th, 5:10am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-15T05:11:02-07:00">July 15th, 5:11am</time><address><a>Virgil Villanueva</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>A Denver Nuggets-Kemba Walker trade? If the Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to ship the guard, we’re going to look at how Denver can get it done.</p><p>Oklahoma City Thunder guard Kemba Walker has been in the rumor mill since being traded away from Boston. Teams know that Walker does not want to be in a rebuilding squad. Despite his shortcomings with the Celtics, they all know that the guard can bring tons of value if he’s utilized properly.</p><p>Among the teams chasing for Walker, the Denver Nuggets — at least at face value — may not be on that list. After all, they already have their trusted guard Jamal Murray in the fold. However, the way things transpired — particularly Murray’s ACL tear —  may force the front office to reevaluate things. In reality, this may be a long shot. But let’s discuss the perfect trade the Nuggets must offer for Kemba Walker.</p><p><b>Nuggets get: Kemba Walker, 2021 Round 2 Pick (36)</b></p><p><b>Thunder get: Jamal Murray, PJ Dozier</b></p><p>Jamal Murray’s ACL injury will sideline him for most of the 2021-22 regular season. To recall, he sustained the injury in April, less than a month away from the postseason. As expected, Murray’s absence was felt. The Phoenix Suns booted<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-giannis-epic-reaction-to-his-epic-block-in-game-4-vs-suns/" rel="noopener"> them out in four games</a>. League MVP Nikola Jokic could only do so much to carry his team. Now, fans are worrying how the team will fare in the upcoming season without Murray.</p><p>This may be the only reason why the Nuggets would even entertain inserting Murray into a trade package for Kemba Walker. The Nuggets have risen as one of the top teams in the league. Murray’s injury has cut their momentum off. It would extra difficult for them to be among the head honchos of the West without Murray in the fold. The Nuggets need his experience, shooting, and chemistry with Jokic.</p><p>This is where the Thunder and Walker could enter. As for one, The Thunder would have no problem absorbing the injured Murray into their roster. The organization is clearly rebuilding. They’ve hoarded quite a number of picks over the next few years. They won’t mind having an injured star on their payroll.</p><p>Murray probably wouldn’t mind, too. Give or take a few years, the Thunder will be back to playoff contention. General manager Sam Presti and crew have shown off their skill in spotting the best players in the draft. Presti was the one who picked Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. And we all know their stature in the game today.</p><p>Walker has remained relatively mum since being traded to the Thunder from the Boston Celtics. It was definitely tough for him. He became the happiest person in the league when he left the Charlotte Hornets for the <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/2020.html" rel="noopener">Celtics back in 2019.</a> For the first time in his career, he was part of a team that could actually compete for the title.</p><p>Yet these hopes were put to a grinding halt as Walker’s play-style simply didn’t mesh well with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Now, he’s back to a non-contending team. It would be unwise for him to request a trade after just being traded. But deep down inside, Walker, 31, would love to head to the playoffs every year.</p><p>Adjusting to Mike Malone’s offense won’t be a problem for Walker. After all, he shares a similar play-style with Murray. They’re both hybrid point guards who do their damage by creating their own baskets and dishing it out to their teammates. We can even say that Walker is easily the better scorer than Murray.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The perfect trade Nuggets must offer Thunder for Kemba Walker

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jayson-Tatum-Damian-Lillard-reveal-truth-about-international-basketball.jpg"></figure><h1>Team USA stars Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard reveal truth about international basketball</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-07-14T14:55:41-07:00">July 14th, 2:55pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-07-14T14:55:41-07:00">July 14th, 2:55pm</time><address><a>Angelo Guinhawa</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Team USA lost their two pre-Olympic exhibition games before winning against Argentina, and for Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard, that speaks volumes on the talent and increasing level of basketball globally.</p><p>As Tatum noted, the talent has “really been democratized” with more and more international players thriving in the NBA.</p><blockquote>“These international players now are not just playing in the NBA, they are MVPs, the most improved players, defensive players of the year,” the Boston Celtics superstar shared in reference to Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert, per <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/basketball-talent-has-been-democratized-globally-nba-deputy-commissioner-135812715.html" rel="noopener">Yahoo Finance</a>.</blockquote><p>Meanwhile, Lillard agreed as he shared how time and the situations have changed when it comes to international players. Now, there are more and more non-American players earning starting or rotation spots on NBA teams.</p><blockquote>“In the past, when I’ve watched Team USA win, you’d have one guy on a different team that is in the rotation in the NBA. Then, they might have a guy on the bench that’s just on a team,” the Portland Trail Blazers guard explained. “Now you go out there and the whole starting five is from NBA teams and rotation players.”</blockquote><p>Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo are the prime examples of international players establishing themselves in the NBA. Jokic won the MVP award this 2020-21 while Antetokounmpo bagged in the two seasons prior, becoming the first non-American hoopers to win the accolade since German legend Dirk Nowitzki did it in 2006-07.</p><p>Aside from the two, there are also the liked of Rudy Gobert and Luka Doncic. In fact, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mavs-news-luka-doncic-gets-ultimate-celebration-after-historic-feat-with-slovenia/" rel="noopener">Doncic has led his native Slovenia</a> into qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics for the first time in history.</p><p>Team USA’s losses might be disappointing, but as NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum said, it’s a win for international basketball.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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