All posts by Kevin

5 Teams That Should Consider Signing Anquan Boldin

Sports News & Picks

The 2016 NFL free agency period was pretty intense, but it’s long been died down and we’re knee-deep in the month of July. Needless to say, if there are any marquee NFL players still hoping to latch on with a new team, the clock is ticking.

Usually quality players aren’t still without teams this late in the game, but some veterans prefer to wait for the best possible situation – and maybe also so they can miss on some (or all) of their new team’s training camp. That could be why veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin hasn’t found a new home yet, and why he hasn’t agreed to stay on with the San Francisco 49ers.

Perhaps he and the Niners have a deal under the table, where he’ll return to the team just in time for preseason action in August. That, or maybe San Francisco and other NFL teams are scared that Boldin’s poor 2015 run was a sign of things to come.

Regardless, interest in Boldin is heating up and if that deal doesn’t exist and the 49ers want to bring him back, they may want to start reaching out to their former #1 wideout.

Boldin may be 35 years old and in decline, but he’s proven toward the end of his career that he can still run crisp routes and attack the football in the air with the best of them. Naturally, even with diminished speed and explosiveness, Boldin can still make plays and can still be an asset. He shouldn’t be anyone’s answer at the #1 receiver spot, but he still brings experience, leadership and most of all value to the table.

Lucky for him, there are some teams that either are already interested in him or lack depth and certainly should be. Here’s our favorite five NFL franchises that could/should give Boldin a new deal:

New Orleans Saints

Reports have come out hot that the Saints have emerged as Boldin’s main suitor and to this point are making the “strongest push” to bring him in.

The needs doesn’t exactly match up for a Saints team that just cut ties with the aging Marquess Colston and has a nice crop of receivers in Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and rookie Michael Thomas. That being said, perhaps the team likes his physicality and willingness to go after contested balls. If so, they could make a signing in the near future.

Detroit Lions

There is no denying Detroit’s possible interest in Anquan Boldin, as they watched star wide receiver Calvin Johnson retire this off-season.

Adding Boldin wouldn’t take care of that loss, but the Lions don’t have a ton to get excited about beyond Golden Tate and Marvin Jones. Boldin could slide in as a competent third option behind those two, and suddenly Matthew Stafford’s depleted arsenal looks a little less bare.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati is certainly in play, both because they lost two veteran receivers to free agency and because they’ve actually been tied to Boldin in rumors.

There’s nothing concrete here, but the Bengals really only brought in Brandon LaFell and otherwise have unproven talent beyond A.J. Green. Even if they’re wanting Boldin as a third or fourth option, he’d at least give them a steady presence that isn’t afraid to go over the middle of the field.

Quarterback Andy Dalton would probably appreciate the extra target that knows what he’s doing, while the Bengals had the makings of a title contender last season. That could be appealing to a guy entering his finals NFL years.

Atlanta Falcons

There have not been any direct ties between Boldin and the Falcons, but perhaps there should be. It’s true that Atlanta just parted with an aging commodity in Roddy White, but there is still a need with Justin Hardy looking like their current best bet to occupy their third receiver role.

Hardy isn’t exactly reliable, while it’s possible Boldin still has more left in the tank than White seemed to last year. The Falcons are otherwise hanging their hats on Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, and little else.

San Francisco 49ers

The only other realistic option is Anquan Boldin returning to the Bay Area, where he’s spent each of his last three seasons. The Niners absolutely still have a need, too, with there not being much experience or stability after Torrey Smith.

To this point it hasn’t seemed like new head coach Chip Kelly has been overly interested in bringing Boldin back, however. The Niners do have a need at the position, but it’s more likely than not that they will let Smith sit in as the top option and see if their younger guys can fill out the other roles.

Think Anquan Boldin is done, headed to one of the teams we mentioned or somewhere else entirely? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

What Does New Hack-a-Shaq Rule Mean For NBA Betting?

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The NBA heard the outcry over the ugliness bestowed upon the league thanks to the “Hack-a-Shaq” rule and they’re finally doing something about it.

Per reports, the league has issued a rule change to clean up the fouling of poor free throw shooters simply to get them to the line. The act has ruined numerous games simply so the opposition could put awful free throw shooters like DeAndre Jordan, Andre Drummond and Dwight Howard on the line, rather than allow their respective teams to advance the ball and try to score naturally.

Rule Change

It won’t be so easy to do that anymore.

The new rule applies change to “away from play fouls”, making them applicable for the final two minutes of all four periods, rather than just the end of the fourth quarter and overtime, like before. This means that any team trying to take advantage of a poor free throw shooter will now have to do it a little more strategically, as doing so in an unapproved area of the game will result in one free throw and the ball back for the team that doesn’t commit the infraction.

NBA Executive Vice President Kiki VanDeWeghe suggested the rule change is being enforced to hopefully discourage the extra fouling simply because a player’s poor free throw shooting percentages:

“In looking at the data and numerous potential solutions to combat the large increase in deliberate away-from-the-play foul situations, we believe these steps offer the most measured approach. The introduction of these new rules is designed to curb the increase in such fouls without eliminating the strategy entirely.”

Bad For the Game?

This new rule change could be looked at two different ways. On one hand, it does clean up the game a bit, as those long stretches to close out quarters will include far less bad free throw shooting. This rule also allows star big men (or any star players who struggle at the charity stripe) to stay on the court to close out each period.

Of course, it’s also possibly this can be seen as a negative. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban certainly feels that way, as he’s long been against aiding poor free throw shooters for a skill they either refuse to or are unable to improve.

Cuban has a point, too. With this rule change, the league is adapting to a poor skill-set for just a select group of stars. The fact that Howard, Drummond and others can’t capitalize on being fouled is on them, but here the league is actually helping them out.

There is no denying the ugliness of the act – as fouling bad free throw shooters not only is bad for the flow of the game, but it’s just a pain to watch. Still, the new rule changes don’t necessarily help the game, but more so the actual players who struggle with such a simple aspect of basketball.

NBA Betting Impact

On the surface, this new Hack-a-Shaq rule change doesn’t impact the game or NBA betting too much, but that doesn’t mean it won’t. For one, all of these players that struggle at the line will now have no qualms about playing to close out every quarter, as they know during the final two minutes that a foul away from play against them will end with a free throw shot and the ball back.

This could lead to teams using more poor free throw shooters on the court that help them in other ways. With the fear of auto-fouls due to their inability to hit freebies now gone, teams can set up lineups however they like and not worry about their poor percentages from the line.

Of course, it can work the other way, too. Teams could forget about the new rule and this could put teams in some bad spots to close out quarters.

The good news is that the Hack-a-Shaq strategy isn’t completely eliminated. It just won’t be in existence so much to close out quarters and games.

Hopefully this new rule change could open eyes to a completely different rule, one in which allows teams to commit a foul late in a game when a team is down by three or more, preventing them from shooting three’s, and instead forcing them to take just two free throws. That may be another rule battle for another day. For now, the poor free throw shooters of the NBA get a minor break and their impact may be felt a little more over the course of the game. It shouldn’t dramatically impact how games unfold, but it will be interesting the second it does.

2016 Fantasy Football ADP: Eddie Lacy and the 8 Best Running Back Values to Draft

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The 2016 fantasy football season is slowly creeping up on us, with the middle of July almost here. Training camps and preseason play will soon follow, meaning the time to research for average draft position results and player value is now.

That may be the case especially at the running back position, where there are a precious few elite options and it’s always important to stock up on value. If you’re looking for extra value at running back this summer, look no further than the latest ADP stats, per FantasyFootballCalculator.com. Let’s see what the draft community says about the running back position to this point in July and which running backs figure to return the most fantasy value in 2016:

Jamaal Charles – Chiefs (ADP: Round 2)

A candidate to be picked #1 overall a year ago, Charles’ 2015 season quickly went up in smoke thanks to his second torn ACL at the NFL level. Charles was well on his way to another elite fantasy season before going down, as he’d accumulated five total touchdowns and well over 500 yards through his first five starts.

Charles was as good as ever, but now we need to face the harsh reality that he’s 29, the Chiefs now have a strong stable of backups behind him and getting over another knee injury could be difficult. That being said, Charles was a monster the last time he returned from a devastating knee injury, he’s arguably still in his prime and Andy Reid offenses tend to be built around one do-it-all rusher.

Charles can still be that guy, and unless you think he’s going to drop off completely, you’re getting a steal in round two. There is clear risk involved, but the upside is obvious. Charles is still the main man in Kansas City and he knows how to rehab a knee injury. As long as his role is remotely close to normal, he’s a serious bargain in round two.

Eddie Lacy – Packers (ADP: Round 2)

Ditto for Lacy, who was drafted as a top-five option across the board in fantasy football leagues in 2015. Yes, he was over weight and disappointed as far as a first round pick should perform, but he did have his moments and this summer we’ve seen evidence that he’s dialed in. He’s lost weight and looks to be in the best shape of his life, which could turn those handful of 2015 gems into more than half of the 2016 season.

There is risk with Lacy, but part of his downfall was due to Green Bay losing deep threat Jordy Nelson and no longer being able to stretch defenses out. With Nelson back and Lacy in what seems to be the best shape of his life, there is a real chance he bounces back and has his best season yet. He’s worth it in round two to see if it all works out. If he can slide to you in round three, all the better.

LeSean McCoy – Bills (ADP: Round 3)

Shady is your best bet in round three at the moment, though, as fantasy league managers seem to be down on him due to his nagging 2015 injuries, his lack of explosiveness with the Bills thus far and some legal issues after last season.

Most of the legal stuff has cleared up and his first year with the Bills really wasn’t so bad. In the end, McCoy still topped 1,000 total yards and managed to score five times, despite battling some injuries and missing four whole games. Healthier, more comfortable in the system and dialed in, McCoy is a strong bounce back candidate. The Bills want to play smash mouth football on offense and a heavy workload gives McCoy an extremely high ceiling.

There is still risk involved with a guy who didn’t meet expectations in 2015, but given his talent, role and system, he also could explode as one of fantasy’s top rushers.

DeMarco Murray – Titans (ADP: Round 4)

It gets a little less interesting from here, but we needn’t be sleeping on Murray. Murray was bound to trail off a bit in 2015, as he was in a new system – one he clearly didn’t end up fitting – and was also coming off a season where he toted the rock an insane 393 times.

Now much more rested than he was going into last year and with a nice role in an offense that looks prepared to run the ball a ton, the 28-year old Murray is a strong redemption candidate in the fantasy realm. Murray does have competition behind him and Tennessee’s offensive line has been inconsistent, but he’s a talented, bruising back who will relish the opportunity to be the lead man again for a team that wants him to run down hill.

Matt Jones – Redskins (ADP: Round 5)

Jones is another guy who has all of the upside in the world, and it’s actually surprising that fantasy owners show such little faith in him in drafts. Alfred Morris is gone, the Redskins have a strong passing game on the surface and this is truly Jones’ starting job to lose.

The real issue with Jones is ball security, but if he can simply hold onto the football he could quickly become a fantasy menace. After all, we’re talking about a guy who put up nearly 800 yards and four total touchdowns on just 163 total touches. Jones needs to be more consistent and quit losing the football, but if he can fix his glaring issues before September, he’s going to be a fun guy to own. The best part? Right now you can snag him in round five or later.

Ameer Abdullah – Lions (ADP: Round 6)

I’m personally a bigger fan of hard-nosed runner Zach Zenner when it comes to Detroit runners, but Abdullah has way more sheer talent and remains a very interesting and explosive option for the Lions. He’s at worst a scary change-of-pace guy and there is still real hope that he can be a dangerous featured runner for the Lions.

Abdullah has some work to do to earn such a big role, but the competition around him is not staggering and he’s already guaranteed a solid chunk of the pie. If he can just round out the edges going into year two, he’s going to be a killer steal in round six.

Duke Johnson – Browns (ADP: Round 7)

One of the best current steals resides in round seven, where Duke Johnson’s fantasy stock is simmering and preparing to rise. He’s extremely talented as he stands, but the Browns seem to be itching for the chance to have him trump the odd ball Isaiah Crowell on the depth chart.

Crowell remains in the mix for now, but it’s only a matter of time before Cleveland gives Johnson a huge role. Johnson is far more versatile and one of the most explosive backs in the league, yet he’s just entering his second season. It’s time for him to be unleashed in 2016 and if you get him at this price, you’re getting a crazy bargain.

Justin Forsett – Ravens (ADP: Round 7)

One more bargain could come in Baltimore, where the Ravens have a healthy stable of running backs, but only one who truly best fits offensive coordinator Marc Trestman’s pass-happy system. Forsett probably figures into Trestman’s plans regardless of what his actual role is, but he’s such a gifted receiver and runner that the Ravens can’t help but hand him the majority of the touches.

Forsett was the guy they handed a big contract before last season, too, while he also was getting the job done (nearly 800 total yards with 31 catches) before breaking his arm in week 10. Fantasy owners prefer more touchdowns and a more cemented role, but there aren’t more tantalizing risks this late in your draft.

Got a running back value you covet even more than the guys that made our list? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

Jimmermania: Which Teams Should Give Jimmer Fredette Another Shot?

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Jimmermania hath returned this summer, with the one-time BYU superstar once again showcasing his immense potential as a scorer during the Las Vegas NBA summer league.

Summer league isn’t exactly the pros, but Fredette has looked good-to-great in his two games with the Nuggets, even earning a starting nod in his second game, where he went on to pour in 26 points during a massive blowout win for Denver.

That came with Emmanuel Mudiay and most of Denver’s top prospects sitting out, which gave “The Jimmer” a chance to show the Nuggets and the rest of the NBA why he’s still deserving of an NBA contract.

A Bust, So Far

The story of Fredette is a polarizing one, as he was a legit star at BYU, where he was one of the nation’s top scorers during his last two years of college ball. That elite scoring ability didn’t exactly translate to the pro level, however, as the Sacramento Kings made him the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He enjoyed his best pro days with the Kings, despite never taking over as a full-time starter and failing to top even 19 minutes or eight points per game.

Fredette only flashed high upside as a scorer, but his outside shooting and scoring ability was limited due to his inability to defend, as well as an inconsistent ability to run an offensive effectively. Trapped in the body of a point guard, Fredette is best suited as a combo guard, or better yet a strictly volume scoring shooting guard.

Does Jimmer Belong?

There is certainly a place in the NBA for Fredette, though, as he’s a terrific outside shooter and can be a huge spark for the right team’s second unit. His defensive ability is still a huge red flag, but there is an argument that the offensive outburst he can offer off the bench can off-set that in the right situation.

Is Fredette’s latest explosion in the NBA summer league good enough to get him another NBA gig? It’s tough to say. He dominated the NBA D-League last year and has shown well in every summer league stop to this point, yet so far no team has viewed him as a serious option to help their second unit out. That being said, the tide could be turning for the 27-year old, as he looks sleeker and as focused as ever this summer.

Let’s just say Fredette finally looks the part of an impactful NBA combo guard and that his defense either is a non-issue or it’s even improved. If there is value there, where could Fredette latch on for the 2016-17 NBA season? Likely for one final time, we explore Fredette’s top five potential suitors:

Denver Nuggets

Denver gets the first look, seeing as they were interested enough in him to bring him in for their summer league. That’s where the interest stops, however, as Nuggets head coach Michael Malone – who coached Jimmer for a year in Sac-town – was more than likely just doing him a solid.

Unfortunately, Denver is set at point guard with Emmanuel Mudiay starting and Jameer Nelson backing him up. Rookie Jamal Murray can man the point at times, too, while he and Gary Harris shore things up at the two spot. Fredette has looked good and could provide value, but he simply isn’t needed in Denver.

Houston Rockets

One interesting fit – but also not so logical – could be Houston, who have a defensive-minded point guard in Patrick Beverley and an in decline backup in Jason Terry. Terry can’t defend anymore, so it’d almost make more sense to cut him loose and bring Jimmer in. In fact, it’d even make some sense to use Bev off the bench in a strict defensive role and see if Fredette can master Mike D’Antoni’s system.

The Rockets are going for all of the offense and none of the defense this year, so why not make their point guard a defensive liability (but offensive threat) in the process? Fredette can run an offense, set up teammates and make open three’s. Hey, if Chris Duhon can look good in this system, who can’t? D’Antoni could see some Steve Nash in Fredette and after a good run in summer league, he could pay him some mind. The off-season addition of Eric Gordon makes this move far less likely, but it’s an interesting thought.

Los Angeles Lakers

This is the first spot that actually makes a good amount of sense. D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson are the unquestioned starters at point guard and shooting guard, but from there the Lakers could still shake things up a bit.

The team desperately wants to part ways with Nick Young and an aging Lou Williams may not be ideal for them a anymore, either. Fredette can play both guard spots and would give Luke Walton’s crew a huge scoring presence off the bench. The team would have to move Lou and Swaggy P for it to make sense, but it could be worth considering.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers lost a lot of depth last year and could still add to their bench, making a red-hot Jimmer a name to consider. They still have Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford beyond Chris Paul and J.J. Redick, but adding another outside shooting could help their small ball lineups when Redick needs a breather and Crawford slides to the three.

Los Angeles may not need what Fredette has to offer when you look at it on paper, but their bench lacks punch and they can use some extra help to ease the pressure off of their starting five. Fredette could be a steal if they give him the chance.

Golden State Warriors

The top landing spot for Fredette has to be the Dubs, who have some Jimmer fans on the team in Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant and still need to fill out their bench. Bringing in Kevin Durant has them strapped financially, and they’ve already lost Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut, Leandro Barbosa and Brandon Rush.

The Dubs did draft some young guards and still have Ian Clark and Shaun Livingston, but they could want a veteran guard to replace Barbosa and Rush’s shooting. Fredette could be that guy, and given his scoring upside, he could be extremely dangerous in Golden State’s second unit.

Got a better fit for The Jimmer, or simply think his days in the NBA are over? Let us know your take in the comments below!

2016 MLB Betting: 4 Underdogs to Chase on Friday Night

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The fallout of Kevin Durant’s decision to flee to Golden State is all anyone has been able to talk about the past several days, but there is only one sport that is actually in-season that takes the cake right now, and it’s not the NBA.

With pro basketball’s biggest rumor pushing move over with, it’s back to the MLB drawing board, where MLB bettors crave underdog upsets that can inflate their betting bankroll for the remainder of the regular season.

Chasing MLB underdogs can be a dangerous game, but if you hunt out the right situations and stretch your money out, you can make some cash by taking some nominal risks. Shaky pitchers, teams going out on the road, teams that feel due and simple mismatches can play into some fluid odds working in your favor. Or it can blow up in your face, just as the baseball gods would have it.

The point is, in addition to your safe bets you’re stretching out each day in MLB betting, you want to know which upsets you can at least consider throwing some money down on. We’ve got four to think about for Friday night’s main slate:

Pirates Over Cubs

The Pittsburgh Pirates (+145) are a very interesting upset pick tonight for a laundry list of reasons. For one, they’re at home, where they’ve gone a respectable 22-19. The Pirates also hate the Cubs and are red hot at the moment, winning seven of their last 10 contests.

There is the problem of opposing pitcher Jake Arrieta, but they could be facing him at the perfect time, as the normally elite arm has struggled in two straight games. Pittsburgh isn’t a lock by any means, but they’re at home, on fire and have a matchup that might look a lot tougher than it actually will be.

Tigers Over Blue Jays

Tonight we get what could easily be the best MLB game of the entire slate, as two very solid teams that are on fire face off in Toronto. There is a lot to like about the Jays, who are 8-2 in their last 10 games, have won six in a row and are inching closer to first place in the AL East. They’re also dominant at home (25-19) and are cooking with gas offensively.

Still, there is enough here to sniff out an upset. The Tigers (+165) are about as hot (7-3 in last 10 contests), have an offense that is just as potent and they’re also not terrible (22-25) on the road. The bummer is Mike Pelfrey is taking the mound, with J.A. Happ on the other side for the Jays. There is no denying that Toronto is right to be favored tonight (-185 per Bovada) but the idea here is Detroit’s offense could get the best of Happ, who they ripped apart earlier this year. Toronto remains the safer bet, but if you’re looking for a sneaky underdog with moderate payout potential, consider the Tigers tonight.

Reds Over Marlins

Miami is at home against an inferior team and the unstoppable Jose Fernandez is on the mound. Naturally, the Marlins (-290 odds to win at Bovada) are the obvious choice to win tonight. Miami has more working in their favor, too, as they’re a solid 21-19 at home and their offense gets to go up against one of the worst defenses in the league.

The main play is simply the odds in this one. Cincinnati (+245) could offer a pretty nice payout, they’ve won two straight and they do have an offense that can explode. However, they’re absolutely atrocious on the road and on the year they’ve been one of the worst teams in all of baseball. It’s not very likely that Fernandez trips up at home and loses this for Miami, so the play is to hope Dan Straily can come out and keep the Reds in it. It’s not a safe or sexy bet, but if he can hold his own and the Reds bring the bats late, you could profit here tonight.

Braves Over White Sox

Same deal here, as Atlanta’s odds (+260) offer the most upside of any underdog on the night. It’s tough to buy into their “upside”, admittedly, as they’re on the road against a White Sox squad (-319) that is heavily favored with the elite Chris Sale hurling balls at them.

Chicago has been a bit erratic this year, but they’ve turned it back on lately, winning seven of their last 10 games. They’re also a decent 23-20 at their own house in 2016 and have seen their offense show up in spurts at a pretty high level. The Braves will hope tonight that isn’t the case. Instead, they’ll hope Matt Wisler can have one of his good outings. That might be possible, too, since he’s oddly been at his best on the road this year, while the Braves have also won more games away from home than at their home base in 2016.

Sometimes you just need to roll with the unlikely play, too. Atlanta over Chicago makes zero sense when you take a step back, but the Braves are uncanny when it comes to producing runs against elite arms. They’ve been pretty horrible lately, but they did just take down Jason Hammel. If Wisler shows up tonight, they could be a fun bet to make Friday night baseball even more exciting.

Got a fun MLB underdog of your own? Feel free to tell us all about them in the comments below! Happy betting!

2016 NBA Predictions: 4 Teams That Could Sign Ray Allen

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Jesus Shuttlesworth is thinking about playing in the NBA again. Per reports, NBA legend Ray Allen is seriously contemplating an NBA comeback, likely due to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors separating themselves from the rest of the NBA.

Allen has grown interested in the idea of chasing a championship and accorindg to ESPN, has four teams on his list of teams that he’d consider joining. The Warriors and Cavs undoubtedly top the list, but the Spurs and Clippers are also said to be in the mix for the 41-year old sharpshooter.

While Allen has been out of the league the last two years, his final moments in the league were part of a championship team in Miami during the 2013 season. In that playoff run, Allen made a title possible by hitting a clutch three to force overtime against the San Antonio Spurs in a dramatic game six. If not for Allen, it’s quite likely the Spurs win that series.

Allen doesn’t have to hit overtime-forcing three’s to provide the right team with considerable value, however. Allen has fared well in numerous roles throughout an 18-year career that saw him average over 18 points per game and connect on over 40% of his three-point shots. Easily one of the greatest marksmen in league history, Allen would give any of the four contending teams an elite outside shooter and a veteran leader that will report to the team in shape and ready to battle.

The big question, of course, is if Ray Allen truly is ready to play again, where will he wind up signing? Let’s take a look at the four teams he’s considering and come away with a prediction:

Los Angeles Clippers

If Ray Allen wants a good amount of minutes and some familiar faces in his NBA comeback, then the Clippers have a chance. Allen knows head coach Doc Rivers and small forward Paul Pierce from his days with the Boston Celtics and L.A. is probably the team on this list that could carve out the biggest role for Allen off the bench.

The Clippers don’t have a team of scrubs, either. They have their own Big 3 in Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, as well as some solid intermediate scoring options in J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford. They’d still lack depth down low, but Allen would give them a third outside threat and greatly enhance a pretty lackluster bench.

Still, Allen survived numerous trade rumors during his days in Boston and may not love the Clipper’s odds to win a title. This landing spot would be more about comfort and ego than a realistic shot at getting to the NBA Finals, so we’re going to say it’s not happening.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs don’t look as close to a title as the Cavs or Dubs, but they are certainly stacked enough to make a run. Tim Duncan could retire and the team did just trade away Boris Diaw, but they also brought in Pau Gasol and already have Tony Parker, LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard. If the team keeps Duncan and also brings back Manu Ginobili, Allen would be joining a very old – but seasoned – San Antonio roster.

The Spurs would lack youth and explosiveness, but they sure would have plenty of smart, savvy and experienced players. Allen wouldn’t have a massive role, but he’d get around 15 minutes and give the Spurs an elite outside shooter to go with Manu and Danny Green on the wing.

Cleveland Cavaliers

This could be another place for familiarity for Allen, as he spent some time with LeBron James in Miami and won a title with him before stepping away from the league. He has been rumored to be connected to the Cavs ever since James went back to Cleveland, and it’s possible that finally comes to fruition.

Cleveland has basically no money to spend, but they can still afford Allen under the veteran’s minimum and with Matthew Dellevadova gone to Milwaukee, there should be a solid spot opening up. That could be the perfect spot for Allen to step in and give a Cleveland team that already was top-three in outside shooting an extra boost.

Golden State Warriors

Allen’s interest seems to initially have been peaked by the Warriors, who recently added superstar forward Kevin Durant and quickly added solid veteran depth via David West and Zaza Pachulia. Bringing in Ray Allen would be far from shocking for a team that is clearly loading up on veteran talent that wants to win a title, and this situation could benefit him just as well.

It’s possible Allen sees the writing on the wall with the KD signing – that the Dubs are locks to get back to the NBA Finals for the third year in a row and they’re probably going to win. It’s tough to argue that sentiment, and if Allen can chip in at around 15-20 minutes per game, why not give it one last go around?

Nothing is set in stone, of course. Ray Allen has been out of the league for two years, is 41 and it’s unclear what kind of shape he’s in and what exactly he’d give a title contender at this point. Odds are he’s kept himself in pretty good shape, though, and can still sling it from deep. That likely benefits the Dubs the most, who probably wouldn’t ask Allen to do much more than shoot three’s in a spaced out floor. That’s what he’s best at, though, so it makes sense that he’s reached out to the team.

Ultimately, Ray Allen may not return to the NBA. If he does, however, it’ll be with the Golden State Warriors.

2016 NBA Predictions: Where Will Dwyane Wade Sign?

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Dwyane Wade made some waves when he opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat. He made even bigger waves once rumors sparked that he may not be too willing to stay in South Beach.

Many feel Wade’s ever so mild interest in jetting the only team he’s ever known professionally is merely financially driven. Wade didn’t like the initial offer Miami gave him and the years of taking less money than he’s worth weighed on him and he decided to call the team’s bluff. They’ve reportedly answered with a solid second offer, putting a two-year, $40 million deal on the table.

Wade probably never really wanted to leave Miami. He opted out, like he always does, so the Heat could first assess who/what they can bring in during free agency and then whatever is left over would naturally go to Wade. Of course, this time around he didn’t like the numbers they showed him and he’s been a little slower to sign on the dotted line.

That brings the obvious question: is it just a matter of time before Wade caves and signs for whatever Miami offers, or will he actually do an about face and jet for somewhere else? The fact that Wade spurned the Milwaukee Bucks for what was supposed to be a Tuesday meaning likely tells us his response is somewhere in the middle; that he won’t be going to Milwaukee and the fact that he’s taken this long to decide is at the very least to make the Heat sweat a bit.

But what if Wade wants to make some noise? Could he actually bypass Miami and go somewhere else this year? It’s doubtful, but it’s worth exploring. After all, if Kevin Durant can dip OKC, anything can happen. The clock is ticking on Wade, though, so let’s take a look at his top options and make a prediction as to where he’ll be playing during the 2016-17 NBA season:

Return Home

With a meeting with the Bucks originally on Wade’s schedule, many thought there could be a realistic chance of Wade going back “home” to where he played college ball. The former Marquette star could have given the Bucks some consideration, but there are three things that combine into any deal Wade wants: money, a longer deal and a realistic shot at winning another title.

Wade would find little of that in Milwaukee, who has a nice collection of interesting talent but isn’t just adding a guy like Wade away from fending off the Cavs and/or Warriors or the like. It was a fun thought and Wade may have used an interested Milwaukee club as leverage against the Heat, but that meeting isn’t even happening now.

There is, of course, the “other” return home.

Wade is from Illinois, so it is still possible he’d find some interest in going to the Chicago Bulls, who traded away Derrick Rose and could still use a star scorer to pair with Jimmy Butler. It’s unclear if Wade would be interested in playing for a team that has been rebuilding on the fly, but they did also add Rajon Rondo and Robin Lopez and have some young talent to work with off the bench. Bringing in Wade could shorten their rebuild, he’d return to his true home and he’d have a better shot at winning than in Milwaukee.

Mavs Bound?

There has also been some chatter about Wade teaming up with Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas, both because the Mavs have money to spend and they don’t have a ton of big moves under their belt. The only odd part is this isn’t a move that makes a ton of sense for Wade. The Mavs did bring back Deron Williams, signed Harrison Barnes and traded for Andrew Bogut, but they’re an aging fringe playoff team – not a championship contender.

Wade knows his best playoff odds rest in the Eastern Conference, not trying to jump ship and start over with a Mavs team just barely keeping their heads above water. Dallas is still in the mix, but they’re a sinking ship in terms of probability in signing Wade.

NYC Stack

The New York Knicks are another possibility, albeit another one we can probably slowly cross off. Prior to New York signing shooting guard Courtney Lee to a huge deal, Wade to the Knicks was a hot rumor gaining serious steam. New York had already made serious efforts to improve before hand, too, by signing center Joakim Noah and swinging a trade for point guard Derrick Rose.

Throw Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis into the mix, and New York starts looking a lot more attractive. Should Wade attach himself to that stack job, the Knicks could suddenly have one of the most star-laden starting fives in the entire league.

The main issue is the money, however, and the Knicks already landed their starting shooting guard in Lee. It’s still possible they can clear up the cash to land Wade and move Lee to the bench, but it’s looking doubtful.

LeBron Reunion

The story is pretty similar for a Wade to Cleveland dream, too. It’d sure be fun to see Wade team back up with LeBron James, while seeing Kevin Durant bolt to Golden State has to have James and Wade thinking of their own superstar dream team. It’s still unlikely, but NBA fans would love it and if Wade truly is upset with Miami’s latest offer, he could take less in a better situation merely out of spite.

That still doesn’t seem realistic, seeing as that “taking less” would be next to nothing at the moment and a very far cry from the $20 million per year he’s currently scoffing at.

Then again, if James wants Wade in town, he could always talk management into dealing Kevin Love or someone else to free up enough cash to make it happen. It’s still a long shot, however, as Wade is already 34 years old and has had knee issues. He’d be a tough long-term sell for the Cavs.

Miami Return

Dwyane Wade staying in Miami is what makes the most sense. Bolting for the Cavs to team back up with LeBron James is the only scenario that could play out, but he’d be taking a serious pay cut and he seems to love South Beach. Instead, Wade’s pouting and jockeying should get him the third year and extra cash he desires.

Miami still has a good team around him and if Chris Bosh can actually return at full strength, it’s worth arguing that the Heat may be Cleveland’s biggest threat. Wade would probably love the opportunity to push Miami past the Cavs. Of course, Miami has to bite the bullet and pay the man first. We suspect they will.

Cowboys’ Defense Takes Hit With Rolando McClain’s 10-Game Ban

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The Dallas Cowboys thought they were going to be in great spot going into the 2016 NFL season. Star quarterback Tony Romo would be back, stud wide receiver Dez Bryant should return to full strength and many see rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott as the key to their offense.

McClain Banned

Unfortunately, that positive thinking didn’t take into account a middling defense.

That middling defense may have just taken a massive hit, too, as star lineback Rolando McClain was recently handed a major suspension by the league office. Per reports, the NFL has banned McClain for the first 10 games of the 2016 season due to violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy.

McClain is even more hot water with Dallas, as he had already upset the coaching staff for not taking voluntary workouts seriously. It’s also a troubling development since McClain has been so good the past two years, especially after having off field trouble in Oakland.

There’s no denying that McClain wasn’t a superstar for Dallas, but he’s been a constant force, recording 80+ tackles in each of the last two seasons and chipping in with three total interceptions and three total sacks. McClain has filled his role well and has remained a key part of an improving defense.

Not the Only Loss

That defense looks to be in a tough spot to get 2016 going, however, as McClain joins a growing list of quality Dallas defenders that will miss some serious field time. The team already let star defensive end Greg Hardy walk following the regular season, and then soon after learned that fellow pass rushers Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence would miss the start of the new seasons due to suspensions.

McClain is the latest big hit for a Dallas team that seemed to be doing all of the right things to get back to being an elite club offensively, but is now splitting at the seams on the defensive side of the ball.

Cutting Losses?

The bigger question here is if the Cowboys decide that enough is enough with McClain, who is just 26 years old and still has untapped upside, but can’t seem to remain focused and stay out of trouble. Dallas does have a quality linebacker to pair with Sean Lee, but not having him for 10 games could have them looking for outside answers.

Super Bowl Odds Hit

The loss of McClain could end up being catastrophic, as Dallas was already a weak Super Bowl bet with +1800 odds, per Bovada. Those aren’t terrible odds, but they aren’t the odds of a true title contender. Dallas remains in a weak NFC East and will have Romo, Bryant and Elliott together, giving them a nasty offensive trio.

However, with McClain adding yet another big suspension to the table, Dallas is likely to continue to struggle on defense. With all of the pressure on the offense to perform, the Cowboys could be in for another disastrous season. Even if they do manage to keep their heads above water, a Super Bowl is looking more and more like a poor bet.

Johnny Manziel Says He’s Going Completely Sober on July 1st

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Johnny Manziel is in the news again, but this time potentially for the right reasons. Manziel told TMZ recently that he had plans to go
“completely sober” starting July 1st, likely following one last party bash.

Manziel was prompted to reach out to the media when a woman staying at the mansion he was vacationing at posted a photo on Instagram that appeared to show her holding narcotics. Manziel emphatically denied even knowing the woman and suggested the drugs were not his.

Johnny Sober?

Manziel going sober is a long time coming, as he has reportedly had major struggles with partying – more specifically unknown drugs and alcohol. Manziel is still awaiting ruling on his domestic assault case stemming from earlier this year, and could still face fines and up to a year in prison. Manziel has claimed to be innocent throughout the process and reports suggest the two sides may end up agreeing to a plea deal.

Regardless of what happens with Manziel on the football field or in court, going sober is the right move. The big question is if he’ll actually do it and if it will stick. Manziel has habitually made the wrong decisions and surrounded himself with people that appear to be closer to party acquaintences than real friends that have his best interests and future in mind.

It’s also questionable that Manziel now comes out of nowhere to say he’s going sober. Instead of coming off genuine and sincere, it comes off as hasty and more of a reaction to potential drugs being affiliated with him thanks to social media and an unidentified woman. Considering Manziel’s past, it’s easy for the media and fans to find it difficult to believe him, both in his defense of the recent drug photo and his statement about getting clean.

NFL Future

Manziel going sober and getting mentally and emotionally sober would be fantastic, as no one wants to see another human being struggle with pain and addiction. Thinking about his NFL career should be far off in the horizon, however.

Manziel would have to be completely naive to think he can party all offseason and have numerous run-ins with the law and then decide on a whim to go sober and try to win an NFL quarterback job. NFL teams will take on baggage and risk for high level talent, but there were even already question marks surrounding Manziel’s ability to perform in the league.

Manziel 2016 Prediction

Short, erratic and a problem child away from the field, Manziel does not jump off the page as an exciting reclamation project.

The good news is Manziel does have some talent, is just 23 years old and it’s possible he could finally be ready to put his wild days behind him. If so, some NFL team should take a shot at him as a bench project at some point down the road. It will take time for that trust to rebuild, however, so don’t expect to see Manziel grace a pro football field anytime in 2016.

2016 NBA Predictions: Why Ben Simmons Won’t Win Rookie of the Year

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The 2016 NBA Draft is in the books, NBA free agency is about to start and the USA Olympic team has been finalized. Slowly, but surely, we’re already inching back to another crazy NBA regular season. The 2016-17 NBA season is still a ways off, but it has us thinking; with all of these star rookies fresh on the brain, who might be worth a bet for NBA Rookie of the Year?

Rookie of the Year Odds

The early bets favor the #1 pick, Ben Simmons, who heads into the new season with +325 odds, per Bovada:

Case For Ben Simmons

The case for Ben Simmons winning the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year is strong. He’s on a bad team and they lack offensive talent, plus he’s a physical specimen that is going to be handed the keys to the offense. Simmons lacks a jumper, but he can do everything else at an elite level.

Jahlil Okafor was able to average 17 and 7 on a terrible Sixers team as a rookie, so there is some very tantalizing logic that supports similar – if not better – numbers for Simmons. After all, Simmons was a total freak at LSU, averaging a double-double to go with over five dimes per game. Simmons isn’t about to get the 76ers back into the NBA playoffs just yet, but he’ll make them a little better and in the process he’ll be putting up some serious digits.

Who Could Challenge?

As good as the stats are that Simmons will probably put up, there are some things to consider when you think about an argument against him winning the ROY award. Playing on a bad team can actually be a deterrent, as those numbers could ring hallow if Simmons loses a ton and some of his main competition has similar or slightly better numbers and somehow finds a way to win.

The other glaring issue, which we already touched on, is Simmons can’t shoot. Points may not fall into his lap at the insane rate some other highly touted prospects find them, while his general efficiency may be a touch and go struggle during his rookie year. Not being able to kill defenses from outside of even 20 feet could hinder his ability to attack at will, as well.

Naturally, that opens the door to guys like Brandon Ingram, Kris Dunn, Buddy Hield and maybe even Denzel Valentine. Valentine might be a lock for a huge role in Chicago as a rookie, as Derrick Rose is gone and all the Bulls really have that they can rely on right now is Jimmy Butler. That could the ball in Valentine’s hands a ton and due to his versatile skill-set and gamer mentality, that could equate to big things. The Bulls are a better team than the Sixers by a mile, too, so if Valentine crushes it and Chicago can even sniff the playoffs, he’s in the mix.

That makes Valentine an interesting Rookie of the Year bet with +1200 odds, but he’s probably the least likely to snag the ROY title of that group. Dunn probably won’t be in the mix in year one, either, or at least we can’t envision it, seeing as he’s going to share the ball with the likes of Ricky Rubio, Zach Lavine and Andrew Wiggins quite a bit. There is a ton of talent in Minnesota in general, too, so unless they make a big trade, it may be tough for him to distinguish himself on his own team – let alone matched up against the other stud rookies.

Hield might be one of the best bets in this rookie class, as the Pelicans ride Anthony Davis but may be working with scraps, otherwise. They won’t be bringing Eric Gordon or Ryan Anderson back and Jrue Holiday is seemingly always banged up, so there is a serious offensive role to be had here. That could mean Hield pours in 11 points per game, or maybe he blows up right before our eyes. An inability to consistently create his own shot on the next level could still hold him back, of course.

ROY Prediction

And then there is Brandon Ingram. The former Duke star is too skinny and wasn’t good enough to go #1 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, yet just about everything else about his talent and game makes you think he’s going to be a star almost immediately.

Another huge thing that works in Ingram’s favor is the fact that Kobe Bryant is gone and a ton of scoring opportunities are going to be there for the taking. Los Angeles has just three other scorers on the team in Lou Williams, Jordan Clarkson and De’Angelo Russell, too, so odds are they put a good amount on their rookie’s plate early on.

It can’t hurt that Ingram has a silky smooth offensive game, can create for himself and others and can stroke it from long range. Simply put, he has the game to make a huge impact right away and by all accounts, is Simmons’ top competition for NBA Rookie of the Year. In fact, we like him to win it. He’s the better shooter and he’s highly skilled in his own right, while the Lakers arguably boast a little more talent and could have a more successful run this year. All of that could combine for a huge first season for Brandon Ingram, and with the third best odds (+650) he even provides a little bit of a payout if he hits.