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The weekend of September 22nd and 23rd was the last one without NBA basketball because the preseason is set to tip-off on Friday when the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Melbourne United in Philadelphia. With the Dallas Mavericks and 76ers set to play the NBA Global Games in China this year, both franchises held their media day on Friday while most of the remaining franchises are scheduled to have it on Monday.
There isn't usually a lot of buzz at this time of the year, with most squads looking to come together after a long hiatus and begin another journey (season) together. If there is any story being followed, it is if a player is yet to agree on a contract extension with his current team (JR Smith back in 2016). That was the case for 2016 Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves up until Saturday.
We catch up on that and all the buzz from everything that went down over the weekend:
#1 KAT and Timberwolves sign a 5-year extension
He could have silenced all the talks of a reported rift with Jimmy Butler by signing his rookie extension back in July, like his Kentucky teammate and current Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker did, but for no precise reason reported, Towns waited until the weekend before media day to put pen to paper.
While ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski did report the deal, Towns wasn't far behind by making the announcement himself on social media:
The deal is reported to include $190 million owed to Towns over a 5-year period, undoubtedly making him the longtime franchise cornerstone, irrespective of what the team management does with Butler. Since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2015 by the Timberwolves, Towns has averaged 21.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 blocks in 246 games played while also earning a Third Team All-NBA selection.
#2 Close to 8 teams interested in trading for Jimmy Butler
Last week, Jimmy Butler asked the Minnesota Timberwolves to trade him, even giving his preferences as the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and the LA Clippers.
Well, it's only been 4 days since that news broke out and as per multiple reports across the league, close to 8 teams are interested in trading for the 4-time All-Star guard/forward.
ESPN's Woj reported close to 8 teams that were interested in trade talks - the Nets, Houston Rockets, Detriot Pistons, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers and the LA Clippers. The report also states that the Timberwolves' owner Glen Taylor is keen on trading Butler rather than losing him for nothing next year as a free agent.
5 Eyewitness News' Darren Wolfson further reported that the Toronto Raptors are also showing interesting in trade talks.
#3 Anthony Davis officially signs with Klutch Sports Group
The news came out about a fortnight ago, that Anthony Davis had parted ways with his then agent Thad Foucher. And in that report itself, it was known that Rich Paul, part of Klutch Sports' Group, was favored to be his new agent.
Davis needed to wait a couple of weeks before he could sign with a new agent and on Sunday that time had come. The Klutch Sports Group twitter made the announcement official:
LeBron James, who is also represented by Rich Paul and the Klutch Sports Group, was quick to retweet and welcome Davis to the family.
#4 Shaq and Dwight Howard engage in Instagram beef
How much Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal critiques 3-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard needs no introduction. 28 and 14!
And more often than not, there wasn't a response from Dwight. And purely based on laurels, it made sense not to but the duo got into it over the weekend on Instagram when Howard called out the original Superman.
For over a day, this was all the banter was but just a few hours earlier, Howard re-ignited the banter when he posted this on Instagram, once again calling out Shaq ( clearly this time with a little spite):
Knowing Shaq and his social media activity, he's bound to notice and pay attention pretty soon. Nothing yet, however.
Guess the Lakers players!
