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Terance Mann: 'I'm ready to show the world what I’ve really got outside this role I’ve been playing'
But Mann said he knew the stay in Atlanta would be temporary with the club looking to acquire a difference-making big man (Porzingis) and the Nets took on the final three years and $46 million of his contract. “It didn’t come as a surprise to me,” he said. “It’s going to be crazy to play in an environment like that, something new. I’m one of the oldest guys on the team, want to be a leader, show those guys what it takes to win. I’ve been with those guys a ton [this summer] and they’re super hungry, willing to learn basketball. It’s going to be fun. I’m excited for the challenge and I feel like I was built for this. I’m in my prime right now and ready to show the world what I’ve really got outside this role I’ve been playing for the last six seasons.”
While he's has changed his tune about working with the Worldwide Leader he’s needled time and time again, Charles Barkley still feels uncomfortable with some of the unanswered questions. “We’re all going to be doing the show in Atlanta, but we’re all kind of like, how’s this thing going to play out?” Barkley said during a recent appearance on The Bettor Angle on Audacy’s BetMGM Network. “I’ve been asked that question a thousand times, and I don’t have any idea. We think our show is going to be similar or the same, but going to another network, we don’t even know how that’s going to work. Because you have to factor in, obviously, I’m a big fan of ESPN. I think they’re the greatest sports network ever. But you know, when they do a game, they have to rush off the network to go to SportsCenter.”
N'Faly Dante officially joins Hawks after Rockets decline matching two-year deal
Michael Scotto: Update: N’Faly Dante will officially join the Atlanta Hawks after the Houston Rockets declined to match Atlanta’s two-year, $4.5 million offer sheet, league sources told @hoopshype.
Lakers, Warriors, Thunder lead the way with 34 nationally televised games apiece
Brett Siegel: Number of National TV games for 2025-26 NBA season (ESPN, ABC, NBC, & Amazon): Atlanta: 13, Boston: 25, Brooklyn: 2, Charlotte: 3, Chicago: 3, Cleveland: 24, Dallas: 23, Denver: 26, Detroit: 16, Golden State: 34, Houston: 28, Indiana: 9, Los Angeles Clippers: 21, Los Angeles Lakers: 34, Memphis: 10, Miami: 5, Milwaukee: 18, Minnesota: 28, New Orleans: 2, New York: 34, Oklahoma City: 34, Orlando: 14, Philadelphia: 14, Phoenix: 9, Portland: 8, Sacramento: 9, San Antonio: 22, Toronto: 2, Utah: 2, Washington: 2
Josh Robbins: The Orlando Magic are scheduled to play a total of six games on either NBC or ESPN: + Nov. 4 at Atlanta on NBC + Nov. 12 at New York on ESPN + Nov. 25 at Philly on NBC + March 11 vs. Cleveland on ESPN + March 24 at Cleveland on NBC + April 1 vs. Atlanta on ESPN. The Magic are scheduled to have eight other games on either Peacock or Amazon Prime.
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No plans for Trae Young, Atlanta to engage in extension talks this summer
After Luka Doncic inked his three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers, followed by De'Aaron Fox landing his own four-year, $229 million extension with San Antonio, leaguewide curiosity naturally shifted to another prominent point guard: Atlanta's Trae Young. Unlike Dončić and Fox, after all, Young did not have to wait until early August to become eligible for a contract extension. He's been able to sign a new deal with the Hawks since July 6.. Yet league sources tell me there are no plans for Young and the Hawks to engage in extension talks this summer. This, though, does not necessarily come as a surprise.
Let's, however, be clear: No one is suggesting that Young is actively pushing to get out of Atlanta. The Hawks have surrounded Young with numerous two-way wings and a new pick-and-pop partner thanks to their recent trade to acquire Kristaps Porziņģis. He's never really played with a scoring forward of Porziņģis' caliber.
I'm told another reason for Atlanta and Young's mutual optimism about next season: The strong relationship that the 26-year-old has forged with Quin Snyder. The Hawks' head coach sang Young's praises for his growing voice as a leader and heightened defensive efforts when I made a trip to Atlanta in March. There's real synergy between coach and point guard.
Cryptocurrency meme coin creators say they are responsible for the sex toys being thrown at multiple WNBA games, and they are planning more "pranks." From Atlanta to Los Angeles, no arena has been safe from neon green objects whizzing from the stands, through the air and onto WNBA courts. If there is an opportune window, a brightly colored entity will be thrown, causing intentional and symbolic chaos, according to a spokesman for the cryptocurrency group. The person, who uses the name @Daldo_Raine on social media, spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue.
The incident in Atlanta occurred late in the fourth quarter of the Dream's game against Golden State on Tuesday in College Park, Georgia. On Friday, another sex toy was thrown in Chicago under a basket after a whistle was blown to stop play during the third quarter of Golden State's 73-66 victory over the Sky. An official kicked the object aside before it was picked up and removed.
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Former Hawks owner Tom Cousins dies at 93
Thomas "Tom" Cousins, a transformative figure in Atlanta's real estate landscape and civic life, has passed away at the age of 93, according to Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cousins played a leading role in shaping the city’s skyline, spearheading the development of several landmark buildings and projects across metro Atlanta. He was also a generous philanthropist and a former owner of the Atlanta Hawks.
But the Celtics’ second-round exit against the New York Knicks triggered a series of difficult front-office decisions, especially after Tatum tore his Achilles. With the team looking to duck the second tax apron and shift long-term salary commitments, Porzingis became a logical trade candidate. “The rumors started popping up during the season already,” he admitted. “It didn’t exactly distract us, but we knew this team might not stay together due to the salary cap.” Though his name surfaced in several speculative trade packages, even Porzingis didn’t expect the final outcome. “After the season, I spoke to my agent and kind of expected that one or more of us would be traded. For a while, I thought I might end up with the Spurs, but then Atlanta came in—and that was a nice surprise. It was out of my hands.”
Kevin Chouinard: “He's a great guy, hardworking, he managed to break through even after all the injuries that befell him – he signed a contract in Atlanta.” (2/2, translated)
That said, here are some guys I’d be a bit more concerned about: Khaman Maluach, Suns: Could the Suns have done what Atlanta did and walked away from the draft with an unprotected future first from the Pelicans and the 23rd pick instead of staying at No. 10? Discussion over whether Phoenix fumbled the bag by not taking the New Orleans offer will only heighten if Maluach can’t give the Suns a quality big. Phoenix opted to take the Duke project, and I’ll emphasize the word “project” here; his was a rough entry to professional basketball. The 7-1 Maluach only posted a 13.5 percent rebound rate, took nearly half his shots from 3 and had one assist in 70 minutes. Watching from courtside made me more concerned about his hands, as contested rebounds and alley-oop opportunities escaped him at times.
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