Page 26 - Florida Sentinel 7-23-21

Sports
Damian Lillard Has Warning For Blazers Despite Denying Trade Request Report
Mattel Releases Naomi Osaka Role Model Barbie Doll
Damian Lillard said he has not asked the Portland Trail Blazers to trade him — at least not yet.
A report emerged Friday claiming that Lillard was set to ask Portland for a trade in the coming days. Lillard re- sponded to the report late Friday afternoon, denying the story and telling reporters that he had not yet made a decision about his future. He later added that he expects to
DAMIAN LILLARD
remain with Portland for next season.
Lillard added that the only thing he has asked the Trail Blazers at this point is to “be more urgent,” adding that simply consistently reaching the playoffs is not enough for his standards. He also indicated that he dis- agrees with GM Neil Ol- shey’s assertion that the roster does not need signifi- cant changes, and that bring- ing in new coach Chauncey Billups would be enough.
Lakers Open To Kyle Kuzma Trade?
KYLE KUZMA
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be active on the trade market this offseason, and Kyle Kuzma appears to be the name to watch.
The Lakers are looking to significantly upgrade their roster after a disappointing season. They could pursue an- other star player this summer, with Kyle Lowry mentioned as a possibility. According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fis- cher, the Lakers are open to trading Kuzma and have been gauging interest in him around the league.
Another way the Lakers could try to add a third star player is via sign-and-trade. Fischer notes that point guard Dennis Schroder — who is set to become a free agent — carries a higher trade value than Kuzma around the NBA. L.A. is unlikely to re- sign Schroder, but a sign- and-trade is a possibility.
Kuzma averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season. The big man moved to the bench last year with the arrival of Anthony Davis and made just eight starts after starting 68 games the year before.
Few can keep up with Naomi Osaka on the tennis court but now, young fans can play with the athlete at home. Mattel has officially released a Barbie Role Models Doll made in the four-time Grand Slam champion’s image. She was first honored by the brand in March 2019, as a Barbie Shero and received her own doll as part of an effort initiated to uplift the next generation of leaders in honor of Barbie’s 60th anniversary.
“It’s such an honor to be a part of the Barbie Role Model series, and to remind young girls that they can make a dif-
NAOMI OSAKA
ference in the world,” Osaka said in a statement exclusively to ESSENCE Girls United. “I want young girls everywhere to feel empowered to dream big and to know that if they believe in themselves that anything is possible!”
Dennis Schroder Expected To Be Pursued By Knicks, Bulls
Saquon Barkley Planning
Many Los Angeles Lakers fans might be happy to see Dennis Schroder go, but the guard looks set to attract plenty of interest as an unre- stricted free agent.
Schroder turned down a four-year, $84 million offer from the Lakers earlier in the year. The guard appears to want more money and a larger role than the Lakers can offer, and a sign-and- trade may be on the table.
The Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks are men- tioned as two teams that are likely to have interest in
Big Bitcoin Investment With
His Endorsement Money
DENNIS SCHRODER
Schroder. Both have the means to land Schroder via a sign-and-trade, though the Knicks will also have the cap space to sign him outright without negotiating with the Lakers.
Saquon Barkley has plans to go heavy into the cryptocurrency game.
Barkley was a guest on “The Best Business Show with Anthony Pompliano.” In the episode, which was published on Wednesday, Barkley said he has plans to have his en- dorsement money paid in Bit- coin.
Barkley was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2018 by the New York Giants. His rookie contract was for four years and $31.1 million. Be- tween his playing salary being paid in dollars and his en- dorsement money being paid
SAQUON BARKLEY
in Bitcoin, Barkley will be
working on a balanced invest- ment portfolio.
The 24-year-old is recover- ing from a torn ACL that lim- ited him to two games last season. As a rookie, he scored 15 touchdowns and racked up over 2,000 combined yards.
Wes Unseld, Jr. Agrees To Four- Year Contract To Coach Wizards
The Washington Wizards moved to officially fill their head coaching vacancy Satur- day after agreeing to terms with Denver Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld, Jr.
Unseld, Jr. and the Wiz- ards had agreed to a four-year contract that will make him the team’s new head coach.
The Wizards confirmed the hire shortly thereafter, with Unseld, Jr. calling it “truly special” for his career to come “full circle” with Wash- ington.
Unseld, Jr.’s imminent hiring had been reported Fri- day. Contract negotiations had been expected to be a formal-
WES UNSELD, JR.
ity, and it appears they were completed within a day of the sides opening talks.
The son of the late Hall-of- Famer Wes Unseld, Sr., Unseld, Jr. has been an as- sistant coach with the Denver Nuggets. His father played and coached for the Washing- ton franchise, and worked in the front office as well.
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