In the 2024-25 campaign, Agbaji, who looked far from stellar in his intro Raptors season, dedicated himself to improving his shooting and became one of Toronto's key role players. NBA teams often dream of having players who can defend the perimeter, cut to the rim for explosive finishes, and, of course, his incredible three-point improvement served as a main highlight in Raptors discussion circles.
The union last week reportedly rejected a three-year deal dubbed a "stability package," which included a 6% raise spread over three years. The union is also seeking contract language protecting undocumented students and those from mixed-status families, and a reduction in case loads for paraeducators. The union is seeking 9% raises for certified teachers, spread over two years, and 14% hikes for paraeducators.
Manuel Neuer's expiring Bayern Munich contract is continuing to make for speculation over the goalkeeper's future, but sporting chief Max Eberl is eager to tamp down the talk. "Manu will be 40 in March. The way Manu is currently performing is world-class. We'll sit down, talk and exchange ideas with him," Eberl relayed in comments captured by Sport Bild, as captured by @iMiaSanMia. "At some point, the body isn't ready for professional football anymore, but that's still not the case with Manu at the moment.
Post trade, we had a quick conversation. But we were just more focused on how excited we were to add Kiefer to the group, and I think he's going to love it here. He's excited. We're excited to have him, and we think it's a great fit. So hopefully down the road at some point, we'll be able to work something out.
Mitch Marner was supposed to be a lifelong Leaf. Marner, who spent nine years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, was drafted fourth overall by the team in 2015, at a point where the team had finally committed to a proper rebuild. While the buzz would eventually shift to the (successful) tank for Auston Matthews the year after, the idea of drafting a Toronto-born playmaker who displayed star potential in his junior days with the London Knights was enough to have jerseys flying off the shelves immediately upon arrival.
"The urgency of that matters to me because we've got free agents and I don't want to go into free agency with that hanging over our head," Bisciotti said. "And I made that clear to Lamar and I think he was very appreciative of my stance and hopefully willing to work with Eric [DeCosta, Ravens general manager] and not get this thing dragged out into April like the last time. It's very hard for him to build a roster when that thing is not settled."
Astros manager Joe Espada and GM Dana Brown are entering the final seasons of their respective contracts. It'll be Espada's third season in the role and Brown's fourth year running baseball operations. Many clubs prefer not to have their manager and front office heads on lame duck contracts. Astros owner Jim Crane has been more willing to do that than most of his counterparts, and it appears that both Brown and Espada may need to work on expiring deals in 2026.
I am not afraid to finish my career because I am starting to prepare for it, to prepare things that I can do after football. I know that football is a very important part of my life, but it is not my whole life, especially now. When I was young I didn't think about this because I only had football, football and football in my head, but now I know that I'm very close to finishing my career.